9. New Nanny, New Feelings #2
When Nadine pulled up, she could see the other mother's eyes widen. She groaned at the sight of them in their Lululemon, holding their designer lattes as they plastered on the fakest of smiles. She braced herself for the barrage of questions from the stay-at-home moms who volunteered during morning drop-off or served on the PTA. Nadine was one of few women who had full time jobs. They rarely saw her. Instead, she’d relegated these duties to her nanny.
When it was their turn to drop EJ off, a perky, blonde woman came rushing to the car.
“Oh god, is that Nadine Moody? Oh my! I haven’t seen you in ages!
” said Ingrid Harrison, president of the PTA, her perfectly capped teeth showing.
“When was the last time? The Christmas fundraiser, right? You’re just always so busy, miss executive!
That job at PharmaDigital must be running you ragged. ”
Nadine knew there was going to be some jab about her not being seen at the school. “Hi, Ingrid. I know. I’m only here showing my new nanny, Zaire, the route.”
“Oh, I was wondering where Glinda was,” said Ingrid, invasively peering into the car. She turned to Zaire, extending her hand. “Hi, I’m Ingrid Harrison, PTA president.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Harrison. I’m Zaire,” said Zaire, politely taking the woman’s hand.
“Oh, she’s so polite! And gorgeous! Oh Nadine, you better be careful having her around Eddie! We don’t need another Sheila and Mercer scandal. Then again, Sheila did take him for half,” the woman awkwardly laughed.
Nadine frowned. Ingrid was an incessant gossip, and Nadine couldn’t fucking stand it. She wished the chick would mind her business. Before she could snap on Ingrid, Zaire replied. “Mrs. Moody has nothing to worry about in that department. Trust me.”
Zaire’s tone had a touch of annoyance and, dare Nadine say, slight aggression. A look of consternation spread across Ingrid’s reddening face. Nadine smirked, pleased.
“Oh well, it was just a joke, hun. No need to get all serious. Anyway, let’s get cute, little EJ out this car shall we!” Ingrid moved to open the car door.
When EJ was unbuckled from his car seat, he quickly leaned over, kissing his mom on the cheek. “Bye Mom! Bye Ms. Z!” he shouted, grabbing his book bag and lunch box.
“Remember, Miss Z is coming to pick you up this afternoon!” Nadine called out before Ingrid slammed her car door. On purpose, no doubt.
“I take it these aren’t your friends?” asked Zaire, smiling at Nadine.
“Absolutely fucking not,” Nadine said, pulling out of the school’s circular driveway, heading toward the parking lot. “Sorry. Pardon my language.”
Zaire chuckled. “It’s cool, Mrs. Moody.”
“And please, call me Nadine,” Nadine corrected as she parked the car. Funny, she hadn’t objected to Glinda calling her Mrs. Moody and Glinda was old enough to be her mother. But with Zaire, it just felt weird. It made her feel old. And she didn’t want to seem that old to her.
Zaire turned, looking at her. “Nadine it is, then.”
Nadine gave a warm smile. “Cool. Let’s go inside. We’ll fill out all the necessary paperwork for you to handle pickup and drop off. Then we’ll be on our way. It shouldn’t take too long.”
After the necessary administrative task at EJ’s school, Nadine pulled out of the parking lot like a speed demon.
What should have taken twenty minutes turned into an hour-long ordeal, courtesy of Ingrid’s nosy ass insisting on giving Zaire a tour of the school.
To Zaire’s credit, she skillfully avoided any personal questions which impressed Nadine.
It was apparent that she wasn’t new to dealing with moms like this. A definite plus for Zaire.
During the ride home, Zaire’s scent was drawing Nadine in.
She tried hard to focus on the road, but the softly sweet perfume was making her pulse race.
When she finally pulled into her garage and made her way through the mudroom, Nadine felt a sigh of relief.
She couldn’t get out of the car fast enough as Zaire trailed behind her, trying to catch up.
In an attempt to focus, Nadine pulled up her phone, rattling off information.
“I’ll be giving you a key and the codes.
The Audi SUV is at your disposal to drop off and pick up EJ, take him to his after-school activities, Karate on Tuesdays and Thursdays; swimming on Mondays and Fridays, you’ll have to run a few errands if you don’t mind.
You’ll be responsible for his breakfast and snacks, and… ”
“Nadine,” Zaire interrupted.
Nadine ignored her, continuing to rattle off things from her phone.
“After school, Glinda encouraged a lot of learning-based play, which is great. We just ask that you tidy up anything. EJ can be a tornado of messiness. I end work at about six or so, so I’d appreciate it if EJ had a bath after dinner.
Bedtime is at seven. He really likes bedtime stories like… ”
“Nadine,” Zaire interrupted, again. “Are we really going to do this?”
“I’m sorry? Do what?” Nadine tapped away on her phone, not looking up. She was trying her best to ignore every thought she was having, and she couldn’t face her.
Zaire came around the island, facing Nadine. She wrapped her hand around the phone, delicately taking it out of her grasp. Nadine’s heart raced as the space between them grew smaller.
“Pretend that you and I haven’t met before. Under different circumstances.”
Nadine swallowed. She tried to move back, but Zaire gently grabbed her wrist, her thumb stroking softly.
Nadine looked down at Zaire’s perfectly manicured fingers, nails painted green.
Her dark skin was a stark contrast against the creamy butterscotch tone of Nadine’s.
She tried to ignore the pulse in her wrist that was thumping double time.
“I mean, surely you don’t think I could forget you. I never forget a pretty face.” Zaire’s eyes moved down Nadine’s face, finally landing on her lips. The action made Nadine’s nipples hard as hell under her shirt. If they got any harder, they’d poke a hole through the knit fabric.
“I…I think you’re mistaken,” Nadine chuckled uncomfortably, finally moving out of Zaire’s grasp, her wrist still feeling warm from her touch.
“No mistake about it. I’d recognize you anywhere.”