Page 86 of Nanny for the Bodyguard
When my eyes find Hazel’s across the island, I can't tell what lingers behind them. I don't know if she's pleased about theconversation that we just had or if she's as unsure about all of this as I am.
But it doesn't really matter, because right now we have a ten-year-old to entertain and a picnic to get ready for.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Hazel
The park sprawls out in front of us as we arrive in Easton's pickup truck. He parks on the street, and Jade and I hop down, fetching the stuff from the back so that we can go and get ourselves comfortable.
We've brought a picnic basket with plenty of food, water, and various activities to keep us occupied. We have the blanket to sit on, currently tucked under my arm, and Jade rushes to a shady spot beneath a tree before anyone else can snag it.
The summer sun is shining down on us, soaking the grass in its warmth and making the green stand out brightly against the dark bark of the tree trunks.
I lay out the blanket beneath the tree we’ve chosen to sit by in the shadowy patch created by the leaves. Easton sets down the basket on the edge to keep the blanket from flying away in the wind.
Jade hops down, getting herself comfortable, and immediately digs into the picnic basket for a snack. I join her, giggling lightly, and look up at Easton as he makes sure we have everything we need before he sits down.
He's like that.
Easton wants to make sure everything anyone could ever need is right there where they can get it easily.
Despite everything that’s going on and the less-than-stellar conversation we had earlier, I can't help but feel gratitude for getting to sit here in the grass with two people who mean so much to me.
This feels comfortable and easy and the ever looming threat of Neil isn't pressing on me, because I'm surrounded by people and sunlight, and Easton is here.
I can't deny that just his presence makes me feel a little bit better. The more time the three of us spend together, the more I start to feel like we really are a family, and I see how much I really want that.
“Oh, Hazel, you brought them Nutella sandwiches! You are the best! I love you.”
The words hit me, and I realize Jade probably doesn't understand, but I love her, too. I love hersomuch.
Hell, you could use the word smitten, and it would certainly apply.
All of this stuff between the three of us feels a little bit too good to be true if I’m honest. And if it weren't for the awful situation going on with my stalker, I would think that I was in a dream, terrified of waking up.
“Yes, I did bring the Nutella sandwiches. I also brought proper sandwiches with meat. You know, the protein stuff that I'm constantly trying to get you to eat.”
Jade makes a face, but I just laugh at her as I pull out the other sandwiches. Turkey, cheese, and mustard, because we hate mayonnaise. Although Easton likes it.
“Jade, you really need to eat the sandwich. Please try to have real food before you eat dessert.”
She grumbles, rolling her eyes a little, but then relents. “Alright, okay, I will eat the real food first, butthenI'm eating the Nutella sandwiches.”
I laugh at her, getting out the rest of the stuff we brought with us, including those bottles of water that she begged for, some Gatorade in case dehydration is really bad, and a few chips.
Reaching into the basket, Jade pulls out a coloring book that she brought, along with a little set of markers. She lays it out flat on the blanket as she nibbles at a sandwich, coloring in the book that depicts unicorns and mermaids.
Easton and I nibble on our snacks, also enjoying the turkey that I packed with us, and we sit in companionable silence.
It feels comfortable like this.
I know that we're not trying to put a label on all of this, and I know that's what Ishouldwant. But in moments like this, in the quiet of the park, I can't help but feel like I made a mistake by agreeing to that with Easton.
I don't want casual. I don't want no strings attached. The idea of him evenlookingat someone else makes me sick to my stomach, but I don't know how to talk to him about that.
We have such a heavy history, and there is so much going on. I just don't feel like we have time to focus on our relationship. And that kind of sucks.
With how many people are in the park, I'm reminded of the fact that Easton and I are supposed to be fake dating. This display on the blanket will ease any concerns that we’re not a happy couple.
