Page 8 of The Christmas Nanny
“Come on,” I whispered.
“He’s clean except for a fight last year. The police report says he stopped a man from beating up a woman. He put the guy in the hospital. Nothing else. Good credit. Owns a gym. Rich parents!”
Feeling excited, I put the phone on the vanity and hopped in the shower. Damn, it felt good. I wondered what Jacob was thinking. Did he think I was easy because I let him stay? Did he think I was foolish for showering with a stranger sitting in my living room?
When I finished showering and changed, I found Jacob sitting on the couch in the living room, watching a basketball game. He was typing something into his phone.
“Hey,” I said.
He gazed at me like no man had ever done. It was as if I were a movie star and had just exited a limo.
“That guy didn’t deserve you,” he said. “Not even close. You look ravishing.”
Ravishing? Nobody had ever used that word with me. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Nothing to say,” he said. “It’s okay to soak in a compliment without replying.” He stood and started toward the door, not even trying to enter my bedroom. “Depending on how long we’re out, I may need to run by and feed Slim Shady.”
“Eminem?”
“My dog.”
I had to be losing my mind, leaving with someone I’d just met, but when you’re not used to being treated well, you take advantage when it does happen. You think it may never happen again, so you cling to that person who said it. We drove away in his SUV and headed toward downtown. I wanted to be craved by a man to the point I became his obsession.
“There’s nothing to worry about,” he said. “We’ll grab something to eat and chat. I’ll bring you back home.”
“I’m not worried,” I said. It was only a little lie. “You off work today?”
“Um, yeah.”
I wasn’t sure what that meant, but it didn’t sound good.
“I ran my own gym, but the bigger fitness companies ran me out of business. I closed the doors permanently yesterday. I’ll probably work for my father. He’s made a good living on real estate.” Disappointment crossed his face. Unlike me, he’d been doing something he loved. “I’ve got something else lined up, but I won’t put the cart before the horse.”
“I know what you mean. I hate my job and have tried to find something else.” That seemed to ease his disappointment in himself. “I have something lined up as well. It looks promising.”
“Good luck,” he said and no doubt meant it.
We arrived at Raiders a little before four, and the place was just beginning to fill. The hostess led us to a table in a back corner, where it was a little darker and quieter. A waitress took our drink order.
“I remember seeing you at the Chinese restaurant yesterday,” I said. “Work was shitty, so I probably looked like I was in a shitty mood.”
“All I remember is your smile. I don’t remember anything else.”
The waitress returned with our drinks and took our food order. I wanted to laugh when he ordered the same thing I did.
An awkward moment of silence crossed between us, though his eyes never left mine. I didn’t believe in love at first sight but felt we had something going on.
“Your family is in town?” I asked.
“Parents and an older brother. He works for my father. He’s married and has a couple of kids. What about you?”
“No siblings, and my parents live in Knoxville.”
“You heading there for Christmas?” he asked.
I nodded. “That’s the plan unless a better offer comes up.”
Jacob smiled. He waited a moment and said, “Maybe one will. It's still two weeks away. Until then, you up for a follow-up date?”
