Page 9 of Cedarwood Manny

He couldn’t have heard him right. “Rhett?”

“I was a dumb kid and we both need jobs. You’re perfect for the manny position. You’re good with kids and will probably fit right in with the family. As for me, I need to find another server job. It’s not the best money, but I know how to work a crowd,” Rhett said. “I’ll get that money to you. I promise.”

“Thanks.” He wasn’t sure what else to say. Rhett hadn’t been responsible when they were together and could be saying the right words just to get back into Nathan’s good graces.

“I won’t hold you up any longer,” Rhett said. “Don’t forget about me.”

“How can I?” He had a loan, photos, texts and scars on his heart as memorabilia of their relationship.

“Good. I won’t forget you, either. I miss you.”

“You can always call and text.” Not that he’d answer, but more power to Rhett.

“True.”

“I should go.”

“Don’t ignore our good times,” Rhett said. “I’m waiting for you. Now knock ’em dead.”

“I will. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Nathan sank onto the bed.Jesus.His ex had given him too much to think about. Getting together a second time? Their first time around hadn’t been good. He’d given his heart and Rhett had given him hell. He’d ended up with a loan on a car he didn’t have. Did Rhett feel bad? Maybe, but Nathan wasn’t convinced.

The phone call still rankled him. Either Rhett had mellowed or there was more to the story. Rhett never did anything without a contingency plan. He shook his head. He’d worry about Rhett and his motivations later. He wanted to please Adrien and make a good impression.

His phone rang again and he groaned.Who the hell wants me now?He checked the screen. Kelsi. He sighed and swiped to accept the call. He liked his friend and she’d know how to level him. She’d already nannied for Adrien. She’d help him figure out what to do. “Hi.”

“Hi. Got your interview today, don’t you? With Dr. Ellet?” she asked.

“Yeah. I’ve done these interviews before, but this one…I know Dr. Ellet, kind of.” Admitting that sounded odd.

“You do?”

“We met at the coffee shop last night. It was an accident, but we met,” he said. He’d connected with Adrien. Hell, he could see them having a partnership of sorts. If they worked in tandem, Adrien would be happy with how his son was raised.

“Cool. That’ll make the interview easier.”

“How? I like him.”Shit.He shouldn’t’ve had said that. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Maybe she’d missed his last point.

“Good.”

She’d lost him. “You’re not making much sense, Kels. Dr. Ellet will decline me because he’ll think I want to date him or I met him last night just to get in good with him—and might have led him on.”

“Did you?”

“Did I what?”

“Lead him on?”

“No.”

She didn’t reply right away. “Do you like him? You said you did.”

“I like him as in I’m attracted to him, but I don’t know the guy well enough to be sure we’d be a decent match.” But he wouldn’t turn down another coffee meeting. The sizzle he’d felt when Adrien had touched his hand had been real.

“Honey, you’re meant for this job. You’re the kind of manny they need,” Kelsi said. “You’re the balance.”

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