“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mom asked, picking up on the back-and-forth tension.
“We’re kind of seeing each other,” I admitted, taking the bowl of spaghetti off my father to serve myself. “It’s a fairly new development, but we like each other.”
“Oh.”
I could tell my mom was at a loss for words. I knew she was probably thinking about how I hadn’t had a serious relationship in years, and it was no secret that she wanted me to date seriously again. I don’t think she expected me to start dating our new employee.
Mom would love more grandchildren, a fact that she often told us. Damien’s girls were getting older, and I knew she missed the baby stage. But more than anything, she worried about her two remaining bachelor sons, wondering if we’d ever find love and settle down.
It didn’t escape me that if I had it my way, both her wishes would come true; I’d be settling down and she’d get a new baby grandchild to love. I knew it wouldn’t matter to her either, whether or not the baby was biologically mine.
“Are you sure it’s wise? To date an employee?” she asked as she pulled out her chair at the head of the table nearest the kitchen. Her tone was cautious and delicate.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, grabbing a piece of garlic bread and swirling it around in the sauce. “I’ve never dated an employee before, so this is entirely new to me.”
“I’m glad to see you’re interested in dating again, but be careful. We might be a family-owned resort, but there are still power dynamics in place you need to consider. Your relationship could create an unfair advantage or disadvantage. It could also cause tension between other employees.”
“You’re basically the unofficial human resources manager, Mom,” Easton pointed out with a smirk. “Can’t you draw up some kind of paperwork?”
“I mean, we could probably find a template online,” Charlotte said, thoughtfully. “A written agreement, for if things turn south for you both.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” The little food I’d eaten already was sitting heavily in my stomach.
Nellie was already apprehensive about the boss-employee dynamic, and she’d been worried about losing her job over the pregnancy. I didn’t think my family would consider it an unfair advantage to keep her employed regardless, but would the rest of our staff feel the same? Or would they feel like I was showing favouritism?
Mom tilted her head, studying me for several beats and nodding. “Well, from here on out, make sure Damien handles any employee issues she may have. Time off requests, that sort of thing.”
Damien’s jaw clenched, but he nodded in agreement. I nodded too, realizing we’d have to fill him in sooner rather than later about the pregnancy situation so that he could accommodate Nellie’s appointments without being a total prick to her. I’d have to talk to her about it tomorrow, which could put a damper on the whole date.
Inwardly sighing, I continued eating while the conversation moved from my dating life to the girls’ extra-curricular activities. Both Aria and Ronan played hockey for the Hartwood Creek U7 team and had several tournaments lined up. Our family tried to be there as much as possible to cheer them on.
Chapter Twenty-One
Noah
* * *
At twelve thirty I picked Nellie up for our date. I had texted her after getting home from my parents’ house and asked if she’d wanted to start our date earlier, so we could have lunch and explore some shops downtown, and she’d seemed into the idea.
She was dressed casually in a pair of thick leggings and a long, cable knit sweater. Her winter coat was unzipped, and her hair was straight. She wore her red toque and matching scarf.
“You look warm and cozy,” I smiled when she stepped outside, tugging the door to her apartment shut behind her. She turned to face me, giving me a hesitant smile.
“Thanks, I didn’t know what we were doing…”
“What do you want to do?” I asked. I hadn’t booked a reservation this time. I figured there were enough places to eat downtown that didn’t require a reservation.
“I don’t know. Let’s start with getting lunch, then we can figure it out? Tabitha and Sage were talking a lot about Juan In A Million, and I’ve been craving that ever since.”
“Juan in a Million it is.” I loved pretty much everything on their menu, plus service was quick. We walked down the stairs and out to my truck, my hand on the small of Nellie’s back.
I opened the door for her, and she used the holy-shit handle to pull herself up and in. I grinned; there was nothing more attractive than a girl that knew how to climb into a lifted truck without assistance, even if I’d been hoping to offer a little assistance in the form of my hand on her ass.
There’d be plenty of time for that, I reminded myself, thinking about when she’d be further along. Her rounded belly would make it harder to climb up for sure. Then I started thinking about how I should probably invest in a more family friendly vehicle, but I forced myself to stop getting ahead of the situation.
Sure, I had long-term plans to keep Nellie and the baby in my life, but I didn’t need to go trade in my truck. That would probably freak her out more than me telling her we had to draw up some official paperwork of our relationship, just in case, and tell Damien about her situation, since he would now be overseeing any day off requests.
My smile slipped a little as I walked around the front of my truck, but Nellie didn’t seem to notice.
