10. Tessa
10
“ J ackson, you almost ready?” I’ve been overcompensating all morning and I don’t need to be a rocket scientist to notice it.
First, with the outfit fit for fall, then with an overly healthy breakfast. Now I’m calling him by his actual name instead of ‘Wiggles’ or ‘kid’.
All this overthinking is throwing me off. It’s nearly ten and we’re already running late to the first thing on the schedule today.
“Jackson, turn off the T.V. and pack your stuff, we’re heading out soon.”
“I can’t find the remote.”
I step into the living room. “I put it on the coffee table this morning. Did you check between the cushions?”
“Yes.”
I sigh. “Well, then, shut it off the old-fashioned way.”
"The what way?"
I growl and storm over to the flat-screen television, finding the little button on the side and pressing it. Moving back to the kitchen, I load the dishwasher and wash my hands.
My phone pings with a message .
Levi : What’d you have for breakfast?
Tessa : I made him eggs with a side of blueberries and toast.
Levi : That wasn’t what I asked.
Tessa : I don’t understand the question.
Levi. Then read it again.
Wise ass. I scroll back up.
Tessa : You mean me?
Levi : Yes.
Tessa : Blueberries and toast.
Levi : Protein?
Tessa : No time.
My phone rings with Levi’s name on the screen.
I shake my head and answer it. “We’re about to walk out the door. You left us a full schedule today.”
“Open the top cabinet left of the fridge.”
I frown, thinking I missed something. “What am I looking for? There’s nothing but protein shakes here.”
“That’s right, you moved everything. Um…the one underneath it. ”
I shut the top one and open the one below. “Cane sugar, powdered sugar, maple syrup, peanut butter.”
“That one.”
I place it on the counter. “Now what?”
“Grab a spoonful and eat it.”
“What? No.”
“You allergic?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
I stare at the jar like it’s growing mold. “I don’t like the consistency.”
“Tessa, you were up at four o’clock this morning, worked out for an hour, and had berries for breakfast. It’s either that or an omelet. You’re not going anywhere until you refuel.”
My eyes dart to my coffee mug.
“Coffee doesn’t count.”
I yank open the drawer and pull out a spoon. There’s a beat on the other line as I dip the tip into the creamy substance.
“More.”
“Wh—are you watching me from somewhere?”
“You’re stubborn. Call it a hunch.”
I suck on the spoon. “This was not in my contract,” I say, my tongue sounding like it’s been burned.
There’s a smirk in his voice when he responds. “Have a fine day.”
I grunt and hang up.
“Was that Dad?”
“Did you find the remote?”
“No. We could just look for it later.”
I rub my eyes. “It's going to bother me all day.”
Twenty minutes later, I find the damn thing stuffed into the pocket of an oversized sweatshirt .
“Oh, right.” Jackson flashes me an innocent smile.
“Alright, shoes on, let’s move.”
“There she is.” Aiden’s grin is wide as he comes around the bar with his arms extended.
My smile in return is hesitant.
“Come here, let me give you a proper hello.”
I shrug coyly before he wraps me in a bear hug. “I didn’t mind the first one.”
He sighs, glancing at Jackson, who’s distracted picking at a basket of mini muffins. “I apologize for my son. If you broke his arm for dragging you in here to humiliate you, I wouldn’t have held it against you.”
I wink at him. “It was worth it.”
He scans me like an overprotective parent. “How are you? Everything okay? Do you need anything?”
“Aiden,” I start.
He holds up his hands. “Please, don’t. I feel bad enough.”
“ You feel bad?”
He sighs. “I practically forced you out of town. You obviously needed help and...”
“And you offered it,” I remind him.
He nods. “You always have a room here if you need it.”
“Thank you.”
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes, jeez. You Reeves men really need to simmer down. ”
“Reeves men?”
“Levi called me at ten this morning and wouldn’t back off until he heard me eat a spoonful of peanut butter.”
The corner of his mouth turns up. “That so?”
“I still can’t get the taste out of my mouth.” I move behind the bar like I still work here and grab a bottle of water. “So, why are we here? I was told to bring the kid over. Are we late?”
“Technically, you’re early since Noah and Charlie are running late.”
As if on cue, the charming new couple stride into the Inn mid-argument over whose fault it is they’re late. But it doesn’t last long since they quickly find something hilarious about it.
They truly are a strange, nerdy—yet adorable duo.
Out of the three brothers, Noah might just be the most charming. Tall, with deep blue eyes, sharp jaw, a head full of dark hair, and a muscular upper body that's always covered in a crisp button-down. The smile on his face looks foreign to me, but given he’s looking at the tiny blonde at his side, it suits him.
Charlie is bubbly, outgoing, and friendly—all things opposite Noah.
“Tessa.” Charlie beams.
I stiffen on contact when she wraps her arms around me. It’s not her who has me holding my breath.
It’s her boyfriend.
“I’m so happy to see you.” She squeezes me once more before pulling back. “You look phenomenal as usual.”
Noah’s glare is intense as he approaches, his tone empty. “Tessa. What brings you by? Can’t imagine there’s much left in this town for you to corrupt.”
Charlie elbows him, keeping her smile bright as he grunts behind her.
Jackson skips over. “Tessa’s my new nanny. She’s living with us. ”
Charlie gasps happily while Noah chokes out a laugh. “Does my brother know this?”
“As a matter of fact, your brother insisted,” I say.
“Really?” He steps forward, lowering his voice. “Did you happen to give him the same stuff you poisoned Jackson’s old nanny with?”
“Noah,” Charlie grits, pulling on his bicep. “That mean ol' lady had it comin’. Lay off her. Plus, I like Tessa, and I don't have a lot of friends."
"I'll buy you new friends," he grumbles.
“Excuse me,” I mutter, then walk over to Aiden, who’s glaring at Noah. “Would you mind texting me when Jackson can be picked up? I should probably go.”
“You’re staying,” Aiden says softly, then points his son to the kitchen. “Come help me with something.”
Noah rolls his eyes and follows the older man behind the wooden door.
Charlie takes my hands and lures me into a booth. “We’d love for you to come and help. With the upstairs of my new bookstore finished, we can start stacking books. Jackson’s been looking forward to working on the children’s section.”
I smirk. “That doesn’t sound like my cup of tea. But…I suppose I should stick around and make sure he doesn’t hurt himself or something.”
Charlie gasps and lifts her phone. “Does Pepper know you’re here? I’ll invite her. We could make frozen margaritas. We just put in a kitchen and there’s an ice machine—”
I hold up my hands. “I’m on the clock, but an iced coffee wouldn’t hurt.”
She squeals and texts Pepper.
A flutter bursts in my stomach as I lean back in the booth. It’s unexplainable—this sudden foreign feeling of joy—but the word acceptance comes to mind. Even welcoming . Despite my flaws.
A minute later, Noah approaches our table, looking stoic and dry. “Tessa, glad to have you back. Won’t you please join us today?”
I smirk up at the robotic stud beside us. “Since you asked so nicely.”
Rolling his eyes and eerily reminding me of his older brother, he walks off.
I perk a brow at Charlie. “I guess opposites truly do attract.”
She smirks his way. “We’re not all that different.”
It’s four in the afternoon and I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Charlie, Pepper, and I have spent the majority of the afternoon together—painting, stacking, and drinking our guilty pleasures. And neither one has asked where I’ve been or why I skipped town.
I’m not sure how long this ‘no questions asked’ will last but I’m grateful for it.
Something in my chest swelled each time they had a chance and opted to make me laugh instead. To welcome me into this small circle of friendship.
My bladder has caught up with my second iced coffee so I head up to the restroom on the second level. I find Jackson and check in on him.
“Hey, Wiggles. How’s it hangin’?” I eye the display of plush ‘reading buddies’ on the round table he’s arranging ever so thoughtfully.
I lift one. “ These are cool.”
Jackson reaches over and flicks a switch. “And look, there’s a light if you’re reading in the dark.”
“ Super cool.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t use it to read, though. I’d use it as a night light.”
“You sleep with a night light?”
He nods like he’s ashamed. “I get scared in the dark.”
My heart goes out to him. “Oh, me too,” I tell him honestly. “You know what else? I have to have my door open when I sleep.”
Or no door at all. But apparently, it’s not appropriate for nannies to sleep in the den.
His eyes stretch at the new information. “You can leave the door open in our house. It’s safe. Nothing will happen to you there. Dad’s really big on security in our town.”
Yes, I’m aware.
I fight the urge to stroke his cheek for trying to make me feel safe in his home. But I settle for a smirk. “Thanks, kid.”
I hold up the plush dolphin with the light. “I’m going to get this for you.”
He gives me a small smile, and there seems to be thought behind it, but he doesn’t say anything.
We’re close to wrapping up for the day, and I bring the dolphin to Charlie at the checkout desk.
She lifts the blue and white toy and frowns. “Do you want to pick another one?”
“Jackson seemed to like this one. Why?”
She smirks and rings me up. “He’s already got one.”
We have a final stop to make before heading home. Yawning hard, I pull up in front of the clothing and shoe drop and hop out, dumping the bagful in the large container.
With another yawn, I square my shoulders and buckle up. “Okay, kid, have enough fun for one day?”
“I guess.” He shrugs in the back seat. “ You look pretty tired.”
“Nah. I’m like the Energizer Bunny.”
Though maybe today, I’m like the bunny with an old battery. One you thought was full of life but is quickly fading.
“If you say so.”
It’s five thirty, and traffic on Main Street is heavy. I text Levi that we’re on our way back but might be a while with rush hour.
At the rate we’re moving, I may as well put the car in park.
Within ten minutes, we’ve moved one block. “Progress, buddy. We’re making progress. You like music? I could put some on.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m going to play my video game.”
I might need music . Loud music.
I blink hard, shaking off the heavy fog clouding my mind. The engine and pulsing surrounding sounds seem to lull me deeper. My eyes flutter for a second, and I snap my head up.
You’ve gone much longer without sleep in the past. Get a grip.
When we’re at another standstill, I do just that, grip the steering wheel with a deep breath. The pull to shut my eyes is too powerful, and I give in.
Maybe just for a minute…it’s not like we’re going anywhere.
“Tessa!”
I jolt at Jackson’s panicked voice. The car veers to the right, dangerously close to a grey Toyota. Heart racing, I steer in the other direction as another vehicle blows its horn violently. Steadying the wheel, I snap us back to our lane with a harsh breath.
Christ.
I’m static and wide-eyed behind the wheel. A hot wave of terror washes over me when I realize how close I was to losing control. To crashing—with Jackson in the car.
I pull over the first chance I get and flip around. “You alright?”
His eyes are wide with confusion. “Are you?”
“Oh my God. Yes. No. Yes.” My hand is on my chest. “You’re buckled, right?”
“Yeah. I’m okay.”
I turn back to the steering wheel, whispering to myself. “What happened?”
“You…fell asleep,” Jackson answers, making my blood run cold.
Twenty minutes later, we’re climbing the steps to the house and I turn to Jackson, bending to his level.
“Hey, Wiggles. We’re friends, right?”
“Yeah.” He holds up the plush dolphin. “We’re night light buddies now.”
I smile thoughtfully, not fully grasping his meaning. “Listen, maybe let’s not tell your dad I dozed off in the car, okay?”
He hesitates, then shrugs. “Okay.”
I ruffle his hair, my heart still in my throat. “Thanks.”
Somehow, our little agreement doesn’t make me feel better.
Not one bit.