Chapter 4
SIENNA
“What happened to I’m not workin’ wit’ single niggas ever again?”
Giggling, I regarded Domino’s questioning gaze. “First of all, I didn’t say it like that.”
“That’s how my brain interpreted it,” he shot back.
“Will you stop being judgmental and take my suitcase to the car? Thank you, Bestie!”
“Aye,” Domino drawled. “Quit wit’ that. Keep on, I’ma pretend like I don’t know you.”
Cackling, I said, “You would never. You love me.”
“We’re cousins, so yeah, I love you. You gon’ get treated like a woman off the street if you keep referring to me as yo’ bestie.”
I burst out laughing, but Domino wasn’t amused.
“You were supposed to be taking this holiday season off. And here you are, whisking off to be a nanny for… Drum roll… A single-ass nigga.” He shook his head.
“It’s just a trial run. One weekend, and if things don’t work out, I’ll be back home.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, aight. You’ve got that look in ya eyes. Plus, you’re taking a gift for, Whimsy, is it?”
I smiled. “Whimsical, Whimsy, Whims. Isn’t her name so cute?”
“See,” he replied with a subtle smile. “That shit right there. You haven’t even met her yet and you’re already a pile of tissue.”
“To be fair, I take all my mini clients a gift when I first meet them.”
“You personalized her gift, Sienna.”
Shrugging, I explained, “Her name is so cute I couldn’t help myself.”
He chuckled. “Whatever. Just make sure you don’t fall in love with this nigga.”
My eyes gaped.
Domino threw his head back and laughed. “Sorry, baby. That’s what it’s givin’, though.”
I hated that I told Domino that Synder Sneaux was my client. Domino pulled my card early, and now, he wouldn’t let up. “Regardless of how you take it, you know I’m gon’ be straight up. Now, pick ya mouth up and get yo’ ass on this road.”
Domino rounded my luxury sedan to place my suitcase into the trunk. I followed him, eyes narrowed at his back.
“Now, why in the entire hell would I fall in love with a random man? An athlete at that?”
Domino shrugged. “It’s not unheard of, baby.”
“I’m going to tell Kevanna you’re being weird.”
He chuckled. “My wife is gon’ agree, Sienna.”
I scoffed.
“It’s cool, though. Just make sure that nigga can fight. If he hurts you, I’ma break more than his ankles.”
Dramatically waving my hands, I emphasized, “Nothing is going to happen. I’m simply going to do my job.”
Domino smirked. “Sure, Cousin. Now, gon’ head and get outta here.” He briefly hugged me, then gave me a salute. “The boutique is safe wit’ me.”
Glaring at him, I wished he wouldn’t have put that shit in my head about Mr. Sneaux. That man was beyond fine as hell and had a body built to make any woman do everything except walk away.
Shaking my head, I hopped in the driver’s seat of my sedan and typed Mr. Sneaux’s address into the GPS.
“Five hours and some change,” I mumbled to myself. That was plenty enough time to get thoughts of falling in love with Mr. Sneaux out of my head.
Love. It was crazy to know so much about something and know nothing about it at all. My parents were going on thirty years of marriage. Domino was in his fifth year of marriage, and there were plenty of other family members who were happily married.
Then, there was me—the boutique owner and nanny without a clue as to why love wouldn’t find me.
I met nice guys and even dated a couple.
Nothing ever made it to the proposal stage.
In fact, I ended up walking away from each of the brief relationships I was in with two male friends.
To this day, they called and checked on me with absolutely no strings attached. It was odd.
Love was something I bled. Whether it was in the details of every stitch I put into a garment or the care I took when caring for someone’s child.
In this world, I operated out of love. Building boundaries was something I used to have a hard time doing.
However, now that I’d set a few boundaries, I found myself understanding how to operate out of love and still protect myself.
Aaron left a bad taste in my mouth, and I prayed this trip to Atlanta to nanny for Mr. Sneaux wouldn’t be a repeat. I didn’t want to spend this holiday season ducking a crazy man.
Hours later, after fighting for my life in Atlanta’s rush hour traffic, I arrived at Mr. Sneaux’s mansion.
Stopping at the gate that prevented entrance to the property, I marveled at the large wreaths affixed to the gate and put in the code Mr. Sneaux provided me with.
Seconds later, it opened and granted me entrance.
A long driveway flanked by several Christmas trees, each minor variations of the other, led me directly to the front of the property.
I expected nothing less than the sprawling, gray structure before me.
The same wreaths that were on the gate were also on the wide French-style front doors.
Mr. Sneaux’s property was gorgeous and outfitted with Christmas decorations.
There were a life-sized sled, Black Santa, and Mrs. Claus.
On the other side of the lawn was nativity scene that appeared to be antique.
Thick bundles of garland flanked the windows lining the front of the house.
Smiling brightly, I was at least happy that Mr. Sneaux loved Christmas. If this weekend went well, then I would be staying with him for the holiday season. Spending the season in a dreary environment wasn’t ideal for me.
The front door opened and out walked Mr. Sneaux.
“Oh, Lord.” I felt sick. Mr. Sneaux walked out of his house wearing the hell out of a Black tuxedo. He was freshly groomed, and I was sure he smelled divine.
Reluctantly, I climbed from my sedan. Atlanta’s cool, brisk air contrasted with the muggy weather in Florida.
Before I turned to face him, Mr. Sneaux’s cologne gave me a big ass hug that I didn’t ask for, warming me more than the light sweater I wore.
Domino’s knowing smirk flashed through my brain.
“Oh, shut up!” I hissed under my breath and whirled around on my feet.
You’re in trouble, girl.