“They’re fine. I just came to see what you needed, but I figured it out when I saw your face.” He walked around my desk and headed toward the door. I watched his broad back and still felt the impression of his body against mine. Those arms were a comforting mechanism that I was sure kids and even grown-ups had to love.
I was so busy daydreaming that I hadn’t noticed I was still watching him until he turned and looked at me.
“Alicia.”
“Yeah?”
“I know you’re my boss, but if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you. I’m a good listener and known to give good advice. I don’t mind being a friend if you need one.”
I nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”
He walked out the door and closed it as I reclaimed my seat.
Something told me that my mom was right. If Basil and I continued to converse and be in the same proximity of each other, his being my nanny would be the least of my worries.
The afternoon madeway to the evening as I’d finally decided to leave my office after talking with my new partner, Russia Anderson. I was so tempted to call Nora, just to see if she’d answer, but I decided against it. I met Nora six years ago, when I first landed the job at Thomas & Little. We immediately became fast friends who bonded over true crime shows and shared a love for fashion. I told her everything, and she was supposed to beCarlee’s godmother. For her to drop off the face of the Earth and not answer my calls made me want to pull up to her house to see what was really going on.
But I wasn’t going to.
Something in the milk wasn’t clean, and like Basil said, maybe God was removing things out of my life that meant me no good.
I walked down the hall to the family room and saw that the kids were playing Twister. Basil sat on the couch with Carlee in his lap, allowing her to spin the spinner on the board.
“Tell them the color, Lee Bear.”
“Bew!” Carlee yelled out, and my lips parted in amazement. I couldn’t believe my baby knew the color.
“Very good. Left foot blue, tribe.”
I watched as Brenton and Carsyn tried to both go for the same blue circle, but they ended up falling over each other. The laughs that came from them made me smile widely and enter the room.
“Mommy, you and Mr. B should play!” Carsyn yelled out. All the kids agreed in excitement as I shook my head.
“I don’t think?—”
“Pleeease, Ms. Alicia? It’d be fun!” Sahira exclaimed, smiling at me. Then they all surrounded me, yanking and encouraging me to play. I looked over at Basil, who only shrugged with a smile on his handsome face.
“Okay, okay. One game.”
“Yayyy! Come on, Mr. B!” Carsyn exclaimed. Basil stood, placed Carlee on her feet, then walked over to the mat. Basil handed the board to Brendan and looked me in the eyes. The way they slightly hooded let me know this was about to be something crazy.
“Call it out, Nephew,” he told Brendan.
And the game began.
I tried to avoid putting my hand or foot on any color near him, but it was hard to do. I mean, when playing Twister, there was no other option but to cross paths. We were side by side, arms and legs crossing over one another as I laughed from nervousness.
His skin touching mine had my pearl thumping, and I felt disgusted for feeling aroused while the kids were around. But Basil was one of those men who exuded an energy one couldn’t ignore. Everything about him made me want to feel those healing arms wrapped around me and those lips on any part of my skin.
Focus, Alicia.
I needed to stop this.
I wasn’t ready to give myself to another man who was only going to break my heart again. I knew Basil had to have a harem of women falling at his feet. What he told my mother made my stomach drop a little. I liked the fact that I thought he was single and loved children for my own personal reasons, even though I’d never act on those reasons.
I pretended as if I couldn’t hold on any longer and fell.
“Aww, Mommy, you lost!” Chloe yelled as Basil’s nieces and nephews cheered him on. He stood upright while reaching his hand out for me to take. I placed my palm in his, and he pulled me up until we stood close enough for our bodies to touch. I looked up at him as he smiled down at me.
