Page 55 of I Knew He Was Trouble
“I’ll be right up.” I rack my brain trying to figure out who could be here to see me. Tess stops by sometimes when she’s in the area, but she’s in Africa.
The last person I expect to see standing there is Kelsey. She’s in another one of her sweaters today—cream with a tiny black bow print. She starts rocking on her feet, and my heart drops into my stomach.
I rush over to her. “Is Evie okay? Did the school call you?” I pull out my phone but don’t have any missed calls from the school—or otherwise, thanks to my new cell number.
Kelsey grasps my forearms, “She’s fine. Sorry, I should’ve been clearer about why I’m here.” Her gaze drops to the floor. “I still feel awful about the ad.”
“That was you?” Nadine jumps out of her seat like she’s twenty rather than going on seventy. “Honey, don’t feel bad about that. You gave me the best laugh of my life.” Nadine smacks the desk with a chuckle. “I clipped the ad and put it on my fridge.”
I shoot a look at her. “I never took you for a traitor.”
“I’m team this girl here after you never told me about your date. I only know what Darla told me,” she harrumphs. “But that Kelsey must be pretty amazing for you to be tight-lipped all week.”
I feel the blush climbing my cheeks, silently begging Nadine to shut up. “Nadine, have you met Kelsey?” I gesture to her, and Nadine’s grin rivals the Joker’s.
“Well, I’ll be darned.” Her eyes move between us like a ball bouncing back and forth in a pinball machine. “She’s even more beautiful than I imagined.” She blows out a low breath. “She’s definitely out of your league, but she must like you to be stopping by so soon after the date.”
“Please stop talking.” I rub my temple before turning to face Kelsey, who looks highly amused. “If you aren’t here because of Evie…”
“Right.” She bends and grabs a bag off the floor. She hands me a food container. “I hope bringing you lunch makes up for the ad.”
I open the lid and my mouth waters. It’s the same Caprese chicken she made for me on her first day of nannying. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to.” She passes me a fork along with a fancy bottled water.
“This meal is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten, so thank you.”
Kelsey smiles, extending another container to Nadine. “I’m Kelsey. It’s nice to meet you…”
“Nadine,” my receptionist says, still smiling widely. “Thank you so much for the lunch, sugar.” Nadine waggles a finger at Kelsey. “I knew I liked you.” She points to me. “Maybe even more than Doc here right now.”
“Why didn’t I think of that one?” Kelsey tuts.
“One what?” I ask around a mouthful of chicken.
“Your nickname. I could’ve called you Doc.” I stare at her blankly and she rolls her eyes. “You know, like one of the seven dwarves.”
“I don’t think he’s a real doctor.”
She shakes her head. “You’re no fun.”
“After our date, maybe you should start calling me McSteamy.”
Kelsey places a hand on her hip. “I thought you said it wasn’t a date?”
“Uh—” I was just trying to joke around, and now I feel backed into a corner, unsure of a way out.
“Relax, Doofenshmirtz. It’s called ajoke. Maybe you can learn how to make them one day.” She turns and reaches a hand out to Nadine, but she waves it off, rounding the counter and squeezing Kelsey in a warm hug.
“You come back anytime you want. I like seeing Doc all flustered.”
“I’ll make sure to do that.” Kelsey smiles. She offers me a quick wave. “See you later.”
Before I can wave back, she’s already gone.
Nadine is back in her seat, grinning at me when I face her. She points her forkful of chicken toward the door. “I like that one. Don’t mess it up.”
I’m not sure whatiteven is right now. A hatemance? A flirtationship? A deep-seated attraction?
