Shaking my head loose of the memory, I bring my attention back to my call with my babysitter. “So you’re sure nothing’s wrong with Cameron?”
“Yeah, Cameron’s still at school until I’m supposed to pick him up in a few hours. But that’s kind of what I wanted to call you about.”
“Oh?” My heart instantly starts pounding. I know how these conversations go.
“I don’t think I can get him from school,” she announces.
Shit.
I’m already pulling up my calendar on my phone, and trying to measure the distance between my afternoon meeting and the school pick-up time. “Well, I might be able to get him today, but definitely not tom—”
“Uh, sorry, I should have been clear. I can’t pick up Cameron at all anymore, Mr. R. Like, ever. I need to”—she clears her throat—“resign.”
“Resign?! You’ve only worked two days. Did Cameron do something? Is the pay not adequate? What’s the problem?”
“Oh no, nothing like that.” She clicks her tongue. “Cameron’s great. It’s just that, my dream is to be a fashion influencer, and there’s this mega fashionista event in New York tomorrow, and if I don’t go pursue this right now, I’ll never forgive myself. It’s my calling! I hope you understand.”
Is this really happening right now? I rub at my temples, trying to tamp down my frustration. “So you quit? Today?”
“My cousin got me a plane ticket. It’s economy class. But we’ve all got to start somewhere, right?” she squeals loudly into my ear, amplifying the headache that’s coming on. “Anyway, I leave tonight!”
Fuck.
“Can you at least stay until I get home today?”
“Oh, Mr. R. I wish I could. But I need to get my outfits together, and I haven’t even started packing yet.”
She starts yammering about dresses and skirts and accessories, and I’ve never been more thankful to have a son. Because what the fuck am I supposed to say to all that?
Gabby is still talking. “So anyway, I’ve got topeace outlike right now. Is that okay? Cameron will be okay, right?”
Is this okay?! Fuck, no. It’s not! None of this is!
I let out a loud exhale.“This is extremely inconvenient—and sudden—but I’ll figure it out.” I always do.
“Thanks, Mr. R. The fashion world is going to thank you one day! You just wait!”
“Sure.”
When I end my call and turn around, it looks like Jules is doing the same. At first, I think she’s going to finally say hello, but when her eyes dart between my face and the back door, I realize I’m just in her way. I’m blocking her entrance back inside. And she’s not happy about it.
For a moment, I’m tempted to not budge, just to mess with her. Just to see how long before she finds her manners and says‘excuse me’. But I need to get back inside and try to salvage my meeting. And then try to hire a new babysitter. My to-do list keeps growing and growing. As fun as she is, I’m afraid I don’t have time for games with Jules today.
I yank open the door, gesturing for her to enter ahead of me. “Ladies first.” I try not to check out her long legs.
Instead of thanking me, she cuts her eyes at me. “Oh, all of a sudden you’re Mr. Etiquette now?”
Wow. So much hostility in this one.
“There’s really no reason for you to have that attitude with me after I gave you such a nice orgasm the other night,” I say snarkily.
Jules grunts. “I faked it.”
I roll my eyes at that. “Liar.”
Her cheeks flame red. She stomps her foot. “You aresucha jerk. I can’t believe I touched your penis. Yousodid not deserve the honor.”
Said penis stirs inside my pants, just happy to be acknowledged. “Can we leave my penis out of this?”
