Page 26 of Six of Hearts
"Never," I responded. "Life has just taken a... strange turn."
"Strange how?" There was genuine curiosity in her voice, the kind that came from years of friendship.
"Remember that nanny job I texted you about?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Well, when I got to the interview, the dad dropped the bomb that it wasn't just watching one guy's kids—it was six guys' kids. Seven children total." I paused, knowing full well that wasn't even the craziest part of the story.
"No way! Please tell me you didn't accept. That seems like a totally cheap and unfair way to trick someone into looking after multiple kids. Besides, there are laws against underpaying someone for something like that." Khloe's protective instinct kicked in immediately, just like I'd known it would.
"Yeah, underpayment is far from an issue," I said, unable to keep the smile out of my voice. "I'm making more money monthly at this one job than I have at all of my previous jobs combined."
"Shut up." Khloe's voice went up an octave.
"Do they need another nanny? Housekeeper? Someone to just stand there and look pretty?"
"What happened to wedding planning?" I asked. Khloe and I had been friends for a few years and had both come to Texas to pursue our careers. She specialised in high-end party planning—specifically, fancy, celebrity-worthy weddings.
"I'm still doing it, but this current job..." Her voice trailed off. "We'll get to that. But finish telling me about yours. You don't hate it?"
All the guys' and kids' faces flashed across my mind, and my heart swelled three sizes bigger.
"No, quite the opposite actually. I absolutely love the kids, and I think..." I hesitated, then decided to just say it. "I think I may be falling for the dads too.”
"Whoa! Pump the brakes, missy! You can't get involved with the fathers of the kids you're nannying. What if the mothers find out?" Khloe's concern was immediate and genuine.
"No mothers in the picture," I said. "I'm the nanny for the official Single Dad Club. Headed by one Noah, oh-my-god-he's-so-unbearably-gorgeous, Blake."
"Wow." Khloe let out a low whistle. "Kind of a dream gig over there, huh?”
"Yeah," I replied, warmth spreading through my chest.
"They're really sweet and caring, and they treat me very well."
"Get it, girl," Khloe said, and I could hear the smile in her voice.
"I must admit, I've found myself in a similar predicament."
"Really? How many guys?" I asked, intrigued.
"Seven," Khloe replied.
"Holy crap, I thought my six was a lot," I said.
"Where'd you meet them?”
"Remember when I said this current job was giving me trouble? They're why," Khloe explained. "The groom's seven groomsmen. They're unreasonably good-looking, and I can tell they want me. Every time I get around them, my concentration goes to shit. I just keep imagining myself in the centre of that huddle."
I giggled. "I bet you do. Send me pictures."
"I'll do it if you will," she replied.
"Deal." My other line started to ring, and I could see it was Liam. "Oh, this is one of my dads. I promise I'll come out to Houston and visit once things calm down."
"You'd better. Hopefully, we'll have even juicier notes to exchange by then," she quipped.
"I have juicy notes," I said. "You need to catch up." My phone beeped again. "Okay, I really gotta go."
