“Of course, Manny. Call me when you get a chance, okay?” She runs her nail down my arm, trying to mark her territory, and I see her roll her eyes. My gaze never leaves hers, and Sylvie sees it all. My features harden at their juvenile behavior. I hate these games, but Sylvie means nothing to me. I can see her look around, wondering if she should bail, but I can’t have that.
I extend my hand. “I’m Manuel Torres, and that is my daughter Catalina.” She turns at my gesture to the little girl dancing, still high on her victory.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Nadia Kennedy.” My grip tightens around her small, soft hand. She’s delicate, my hand engulfing hers. I don’t want to let her go, as I reluctantly try to remain cool and unaffected. She licks her lips, and I track the movement of her tongue. Thankfully, she can’t tell the shift beneath my calm exterior, my expression unchanged, even though my heart rate picks up from her touch.
“Thanks for meeting me,” she starts. “I saw the ad at the town recreation department, and they told me you needed help with your daughter, Catalina. What hours do you need me to help you?”
Right, I mentally chastise myself. We are here to talk about the job. She’s not here to see my daughter play in a t-ball game. It is merely convenient to meet up here. I slip into responsible dad mode, hoping she proves what I already think I know, so I review the job details, including the hours needed, times, expectations, and anything else I can think of.
“I can totally do that,” she agrees willingly, and I feel an invisible weight lift from my shoulders. I imagine all those little pocket squares of underwear in my drawer and cringe at the thought of Amá still folding my underwear, or calzoncillos, as she calls them in Spanish. I shudder at the thought. She let me know that she works at the place I saw her when I bumped into her at the bar—the Big Lake Tavern. So she waitresses there, too, huh? Interesting.I make a mental note. “I’m only here for the summer, though,” she says. “I want to clarify that because I will be leaving in August, and I know you are a single dad. Well, from what I heard from Deb at the rec center.” My head snaps in her direction, and I don’t think she realizes that she said that last part out loud.
“That’s perfect,” I reply almost too quickly. I fight the urge to tell her that Debbie has a fucking big mouth, but so far, Nadia seems like a good fit, so I don’t want to scare her off with my mood swings. I’m tired, I’m jaded, and most of all, this woman makes me feel like she gets me. I don’t want for someone to get me because I can’t get distracted. So I force myself to believe that it has nothing to do with her and all to do with my ex and her rehab program and how I need this to work out for the next two months. Two months and then she can leave, so I tell her that.
“I just need help during the next couple of summer months. The rec department doesn’t take her age until next year, which is a temporary issue.” I move my hand back and forth, feeling restless for some reason. “Once she’s back in school in the fall, I won’t have this problem moving forward.”
“Great, so do I have the job?” she asks excitedly.
Something seems off with her. She didn’t even ask about the pay. That’s usually everyone’s first question, but not hers. I can’t put my finger on it. She immediately accepts the first amount I offered her, too—no counteroffer. I was waiting for it, and nothing. Nada. I feel like I am forgetting something vital, and then it hits me. I almost panic at the thought. I should have led with this. “Do you smoke or drink?” I know it sounds so out of the blue, but I hope she answers correctly. Otherwise, this meeting is all for nothing.
“Um. I don’t smoke, but I do have an occasional drink.” I nod. I was almost relieved with her answer, and figured I should at least try to explain the reason for my concern.
“I just don’t want that around my daughter,” I say rather brashly. Her nose crinkles slightly, and I hope I didn’t offend her. I hesitate before continuing and opt for honesty. She’ll need to know anyway if my ex comes for supervised visitation, although I doubt it would be during these two months she’s around. But just in case, I continue to explain. “Her mother had a problem with—”My hand comes to my chin, rubbing at my facial hair. “And I don’t want her in that situation. I’m sorry, I should have asked that before.” And there it is. It’s out in the open, and I hope she doesn’t tell anyone else about my business.
She sets my mind at ease. “No, I get it.” She raises her hand as if trying to calm an angry guard dog. “That won’t be a problem.”
I exhale, relieved. “Good.” I notice her biting the side of her lip and try to ignore it. My eyes snap back up to hers, immediately cutting off any more thoughts I shouldn’t be having about my nanny—I mean, Catalina’s nanny. Who hasn’t even started yet. “So, can you start Monday?” I ask. My mind feels like I’m giving it whiplash with my thoughts all over the place, in contrast to what my face gives off.
She nods eagerly. “Yes, that’s perfect. Text me the address.”
I’m just about to ask her where she lives and if it’s close by—maybe she needs a ride—but we are interrupted by a man.
“Hey, Nadia. I just wanted to let you know I’m here to pick you up. I’ll wait over there.” He points to the bleachers across the field and walks away. I watch him go, then turn back to Nadia.
My cheeks feel hot at the thought of wanting to offer her a ride home, being vulnerable from the attraction I’m fighting for her, and it being for nothing because she probably has a boyfriend. Of course, she does. She’s young and beautiful and does not have the problems that I come with.
I don’t know why I snap at her, but I can’t stop. “Oh, and another thing. I don’t want any boyfriends at the house. You come alone and in your car. You said you had reliable transportation?”
I see her mouth drop open, and I know that I’m being an asshole, making assumptions. She looks stricken by my comments, and I wouldn’t blame her if she just said to forget it. It’s not worth putting up with my crap. “I would never do that,” she tells me.
“I just have to make sure.” I give her my bullshit answer, and my voice trails off as I turn, looking at my daughter, and continue walking that way. “Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time,” I say, walking away. “See you Monday.” I know she continues to stand there watching me, and I hate myself a little more for treating her that way. But most of all, I hate how I want to keep her for myself.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
We pull into the driveway of the vacation rental Parker and his family have been staying at on the lake. Voices carry on the breeze, as does the smell of something grilled. If I had to bottle the smells and sounds of summer, it would be this moment.
He grabs my hand, takes my bag from my shoulder, and walks me around the back, wraparound porch. My sneakers echo against the sound of wooden planks, the noise alerting the two people he was with at the park when we met for ice cream that we have arrived. Shortly, his brother and his girlfriend walk up to us.
“Hey, I was wondering when you were going to show up,” his brother says, hitting Parker on the shoulder playfully.
“Hey, Parker,” the woman near his brother waves.She extends her hand to shake mine, beginning polite introductions. “I’m Jasmine. Welcome.” She smiles at me.
“Hi,” I reply, matching her smile. “It’s Nadia. Nice to meet you, and thanks.” I turn to his brother, and he shakes my hand as well.
“Hadley.” His hand is soft and smooth, unlike Manny’s callused hand. I remember the feeling of Parker’s hand as he grabbed my hand and walked me back here. It was also smooth.
The door opens as a man and woman, both middle-aged, presumably Parker’s parents, walk out of the house carrying drinks and more food for the table. The woman asks the man if there is enough food when she spots us and walks over. “Hi,” she says as she places a bowl of potato salad on the table. “I’m Marlene, Parker’s mom, and that’s my husband, Bob.” She points toward the man now operating the grill, and he extends his spatula in the air in greeting.
“Nice to meet you. Welcome,” he speaks loudly over the sound of the lake activity before returning his attention to the food.
