Page 41 of A Little Crush
“Hi?”
“Hi,” I repeat.
I’m still not sure why I called Tatum. Okay, that’s a lie. She’s my confidante. My other half. My sister from another mister, even when she’s a pain in the ass. Although, now that she’s here, I’m kind of regretting my decision. Why? Because there’s no way I'll be able to tell her my impromptu job opportunity without her flying off the handle or calling me out for losing my mind. And the worst part? She'll be right. I have lost my mind.
Completely. Fully. Lost. My. Mind.
With a laugh, Tatum collapses onto my bed, causing an unamused Hades to move to the floor. She ignores him, crossing her legs in front of her. “Okay, now that the totally not awkward pleasantries are out of the way, what’s up?”
What’s up? It’s a simple question. It deserves a simple answer. Come on, Rore. Just say it.
“Uh. Well? I, uh.” My face scrunches. “I’m not going home.”
“What?” Her eyes bulge. “Rory, I thought we were catching the same flight?—”
“I know, but there was a change of plans,” I blurt out as another wave of queasiness washes over me.
Tatum shakes her head. “What kind of change of plans?”
Come on, Rore. You’ve already come this far.
Grabbing the collar of my T-shirt, I tug it away from my skin in search of a light breeze because…is it hot in here or is it just me?
“Rore?” she prods.
“I, uh, I’m staying…for…a little while.”
Her forehead wrinkles. “Why?”
“Well, it’s actually a really funny story,” I ramble. “I, uh, I found a job, so...”
If it were another situation, I’d find Tatum’s deer in the headlights expression amusing, but it only makes me want to puke more.
“You found a job?” she repeats.
“Yeah. I found a job.” I gulp, refusing to dab at my hairline despite the perspiration I can literally feel accumulating under my best friend’s knowing stare. “It’s only temporary, but still.”
“Well, that’s great,” she returns. “I’m just a little surprised. I didn’t even know you were looking.”
“I mean, technically I wasn’t,” I mumble.
“So, what is it?”
Blah, why does it feel like I'm being interrogated right now?
“It’s, uh, it’s in childcare,” I answer.
“Childcare?” She leans back on her elbows, her gaze narrowing. “Childcare psychology? Or…?”
“Just childcare,” I answer. “I’m, uh, I’m gonna be nannying for a little while.”
“Nannying?” She laughs. “For who?”
I fight the urge to cringe, preparing for the onslaught of questions and assumptions I have no doubt will follow as soon as I fill her in. “Well.” Acid fills my mouth, but I choke it down. “I overheard Jaxon talking to his ex, and it came out that he doesn't have anyone to watch Poppy while he has her, and I kind of blurted out that I was the new nanny, and?—”
“You what?” she screeches. Jumping to her feet, Tatum grabs my biceps and stops me from pacing. Not sure when I started up again, but here I am. ”Okay, enough fun and games,” she announces. “Watching you freak out was kind of funny, but I’m over it. Rory, spill. And I mean everything.”
Fisting my hands at my sides, I repeat, “I already told you. I’m Poppy’s new nanny.”
