Chapter Twelve
CHAPTER TWELVE
Annabelle
" I don't know what to do, Daisy. He's not taking this well. He keeps calling every hour to see if Lisa has showed up again. How am I going to compete with a woman who refuses to go away?" I ask as I lift up the brownie, and take a huge chunk out of it. Get Baked is where we've decided to meet this afternoon.
The chocolate melts on my tongue, a momentary distraction from the chaos that's been my life since the kiss, the make out session, and now Lisa showing up. My days used to be fucking boring, I'd like to go back there - now.
Daisy leans forward, her elbows on the table, her blue eyes serious beneath her curly bangs. "You're not competing with her, Anna. That's your first mistake."
"How can you say that? She's Ashlynn's mother. She's gorgeous, and she's making it very clear she wants her family back."
Daisy snorts, breaking off a piece of her own chocolate-cherry brownie. "Lisa walked out on them, right? Left a baby with Nolan and disappeared to 'find herself' or whatever excuse she gave. She doesn't get to waltz back in when it's convenient."
I sigh, tracing patterns in the condensation on my water glass. "It's not that simple. I see the way he looks when her name comes up. There's still something there."
"Yeah, anger and resentment, probably." Daisy wipes a crumb from her lip. "Look, you're not just Ashlynn's nanny anymore. You're part of their lives in a way Lisa chose not to be. Nolan kissed you , remember?"
The memory flashes through me again, his lips soft against mine, the brief moment of connection before everything fell apart. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it, even as we've both pretended it never happened.
"And then immediately regretted it," I remind her, although she doesn't know about the couch session when I'd come home from the bar.
"Men are idiots," Daisy says with authority, waving her fork in the air. "Especially when they've been hurt. He's probably scared out of his mind. Years of building walls, and then you come along and make him feel something again."
I pick at my brownie, no longer hungry. "What do I do?"
"Stop making yourself small for a woman who doesn't deserve the space she's taking up in your head." Daisy reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. "Be direct with him. Tell him how you feel. And as for Lisa, don't let her intimidate you. You've been there for Ashlynn when she wasn't. That matters."
"And if he doesn't feel the same way?"
"Then at least you'll know. But I've seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one's watching." Daisy smiles knowingly. "That man is not indifferent."
I check my watch and realize I need to pick up Ashlynn from her dance class. Daisy and I part with a quick hug, her words echoing in my mind as I drive across town.
When I pull into the parking lot of Miss Laurie's Dance Academy, I spot Lisa immediately. She's standing by the entrance, her blonde hair perfectly styled, designer sunglasses perched on her nose despite the cloudy day. My stomach drops, but Daisy's advice steels my spine as I exit the car.
How the fuck does she even know that Ash goes here? Has she been following us like Nolan partway suggested?
"Annabelle," Lisa calls, her voice saccharine. "Just the person I wanted to see."
I force a polite smile. "Hello, Lisa. I'm here to pick up Ashlynn."
"That's actually what I wanted to talk about." She steps closer, lowering her voice. "Don't you think it's a little confusing for my daughter to have her nanny pretending to be her mother?"
The accusation hits like a slap. "I've never pretended to be her mother. I care about Ashlynn, and I'm there for her. That's my job."
"Your job." Lisa laughs softly. "Is it also your job to move in on my husband while you're at it?"
"Ex-husband," I correct her before I can stop myself. "And my relationship with Nolan is professional."
Lisa's perfectly sculpted eyebrow arches. "Really? That's not what I heard. Small town, honey. People talk."
My cheeks burn, but I maintain eye contact. "I'm sure they do. But Ashlynn's well-being is what matters here, not gossip."
"I agree completely." Her smile doesn't reach her eyes. "Which is why I'm moving back to town. My daughter needs her real mother, not a stand-in."
Before I can respond, the doors to the dance studio open and little girls in pink leotards come streaming out. Ashlynn spots me and breaks into a run, her tutu bouncing with each step.
"Anna." she shouts, launching herself into my arms. I catch her, breathing in the scent of baby shampoo and sweat.
"Hey, sweetie. How was dance class?"
"I did a pirette."
"A pirouette? That's amazing." I smile, setting her down.
"Ashlynn," Lisa steps forward, arms outstretched. "Aren't you going to say hello to Mommy?"
Ashlynn edges closer to my legs, suddenly shy. "Hi."
The hurt that flashes across Lisa's face is genuine, and for a moment, I feel a pang of sympathy. But it vanishes when she looks at me, her eyes hardening.
"This is exactly what I'm talking about," she hisses. "You've turned my daughter against me."
"That's not true," I say quietly, conscious of Ashlynn's small hand in mine. "She's just not used to seeing you. She doesn't know who you are."
"Well, she better get used to it." Lisa straightens, adjusting her designer bag on her shoulder. "Because I'm not going anywhere this time. And Nolan and I have a lot to discuss about the current... arrangements."
"You should talk to Nolan about that."
"Oh, I will." Her smile is all teeth. "And you should start looking for a new job, sweetie. Because when I'm done, you won't be needed anymore."
She bends down to Ashlynn's level. "Mommy will see you very soon, princess. I promise." Then she straightens, gives me one last meaningful look, and walks to her sleek sports car.
Ashlynn tugs at my hand. "Anna? Are you mad?"
I kneel down, making sure my face shows none of the turmoil I'm feeling. "No, sweetie, not at all. How about we get ice cream on the way home?"
Her face lights up, and as we walk to my car, I try to ignore the hollow feeling in my chest. Lisa's words loop in my mind: You should start looking for a new job . The thought of leaving Ashlynn and Nolan makes me physically ill. But maybe Lisa is right. Maybe I've crossed lines I shouldn't have.
As I buckle Ashlynn into her car seat, my phone buzzes with an incoming call. Nolan's name flashes on the screen. For a moment, I consider not answering, letting it go to voicemail like I've done with some of his hourly check-ins today. But Daisy's advice rings in my ears.
Be direct with him. Tell him how you feel.
I take a deep breath and answer the call, not yet knowing that across town, Nolan is already on his way to us, and everything is about to change.