“She’s too busy fussing over her cucumber sandwiches.” Eve waves a hand. “Now, tell us everything.”
I exhale with a laugh and then we all lean in close and I tell them everything. I really like spending time with these girls, and the more I do, the more I feel like part of the family. They’re so kind and have welcomed me into their group with open arms. They’re the kind of friends you want in life. No, the kind you need.
“Oh my, you are such a nice person.” Gabby shakes her head. “I would have dropped him right there on the grass and jumped on. That would have given those rich bitches something to talk about.”
I laugh. “Tempting, but no. I’m not going to be the reason they don’t work out. I’m the nanny, that’s it.”
“Not according to Hugh.” Eve wiggles her brows. “Man is into you.”
“He needs to be into his family,” I point out.
“We all know that’s not going to work,” Poppy says, shrugging as she rubs her pregnant belly. “I say go for it.”
“He’s taken,” I say, giving her a smile. “Out of bounds.”
“You and your morals,” Gabby scoffs.
“Hey, my lack of morals nearly lost me my best friend, I’m not risking anything by doing the wrong thing again.”
Gabby knows what I’m talking about. When I slept with Rhett and then told her I didn’t, it very nearly ruined our friendship. It also gave me the biggest wake up call, because I became very aware of the kind of person I was becoming and, quite frankly, I didn’t like her. Not one bit. I didn’t like feeling the way I did and won’t go out of my way to end up there again.
Gabby reaches over and squeezes my hand.
“Well, if we can’t talk about boys, then let’s talk about rich bitches,” Ramona says, raising her glass. “Tell us everything those cows said the other day.”
I laugh, sipping my drink, and then I tell them everything.
Ten or so minutes later, the guys arrive. They have coolers full of beer and damn, when they walk into a room, they really own it. Big, powerful, and masculine, they all have a place in this world and they’re damn certain they belong in it. I love that about them. Their confidence is sky high, and they don’t let anyone take it away from them.
“Well, damn,” I say, watching as they pull up a chair. “It’s like I just won the hot lottery.”
Eve laughs. “There are a few spare, if you’re looking ...”
Hugh gives her a look.
She winks at him.
Hank, the only other single one in this close group, gives me a grin. Well, isn’t he just gorgeous.
No.
Nope.
No men.
“Oh, hi,” Delilah says, coming out with a tray full of sandwiches.
God damn, they are cucumber. Does she not know she’s serving bikers?
She looks awkwardly at the group, and Hugh stands, walking over and taking the tray off her. Thanking her as he does. Then he introduces her to everyone. They all give her a fairly warm hello, for a group of bikers, and then Eve does the right thing and offers her a drink, which she gladly takes.
I do feel a little sorry for her, this must be the strangest thing she has ever had to deal with. Coming from the world she grew up in, this is the furthest thing from normal. I check Star, who is still asleep, and then have another drink as we all get to chatting and talking. Within the hour, Delilah has relaxed and is actually laughing and joining in the conversation.
Maybe I’ve been too hard on her.
As the night draws on, I make sure I spend a few hours including Star, who gets smothered by all the girls. Then, we put her to bed. Delilah helps me, and she’s well on her way to being drunk by the time her daughter is down. She’s chatty and acting as if I’m not the scum of the earth, which is a nice change.
I go into the kitchen once Star is down and get myself another drink, only now can I fully relax. After all, it’s my job to put Star first, even when there are people around. I’m her nanny, it’s what I do, and she is number one to me. That little girl is growing on me, and I hope in time, she’ll start to grow on Hugh, too. He deserves that. She deserves that.
“Delilah is chatty.”
I turn to see Hugh standing in the kitchen with an empty plate in his hand. The sound of Delilah’s laughter trails through the room, and I can’t help but feel glad she is opening up a little.
“You all ate the cucumber sandwiches,” I say, with a smile.
Hugh grunts. “We didn’t want to hurt her feelings; she has put in a big effort.”
“Yeah, she has. How did your ride with her go?”
I wish this strange feeling in my chest would go the hell away. It’s this tightness when I talk about Delilah with Hugh, but it couldn’t be jealousy. I haven’t known either of them long enough to have any sort of attachment. Even though the kiss with Hugh plays in my mind, over and over, I’m starting to think it’s more because I wish someone wanted me in the genuine way he showed, instead of in the toxic way I’m used to.
Perhaps that’s what it is?
Jealousy of the effort.
“We had a good time, actually,” he tells me. “She laughed a lot and opened up. When she is away from the life she is so used to, she’s actually a good chick.”
I force a smile.
Stop being so petty, Maggie.
“Well, I’m glad. I really am. You two deserve to make it work.”
Liar.
“Hmmm,” he murmurs, “well it’s a step forward but we still have a long way to go. One day out doesn’t mean she’s willing to change for the better. Her parents fuckin’ hate me and they want her to end it, so she’s going to have that pressure forever. It’ll take a hell of a person to go against her family for us.”
He’s right.
It will.
Am I sure Delilah has it in her? No.
But do I think she could possibly give it her best shot? Maybe.
“It’ll be tough, but you should both be proud you’re giving it your best go for Star’s sake.”
“Yeah,” he mutters, “but still feels forced.”
“It might for a while—you two have basically been forced into a situation that you’re both a little uncomfortable with. It’s going to take a bit to ease.”
“There’s that smart brain again,” he says, staring at me.
His hands comes out, surprising me when he takes a piece of thick hair that always falls over my face and tucks it behind my ear. I swallow the thick lump in my throat and stare at him, eyes wide, trying really hard not to look like my heart is racing, because oh, it is.
“Your hair is somethin’ else,” he murmurs.
“Yeah,” I say, my voice far too breathy. “I have wild hair.”
“It’s fuckin’ beautiful.”
Jesus.
Step away.
Abort mission.
Run, Maggie.
“There you are.”
Delilah’s voice has Hugh dropping his hand.
Saved by the bell.
Thank god.
“THE GIRLS ARE ALL COMING over, I’m going to need you to be on your best behavior, Maggie. This is important. One of the girls’ father owns a huge company I want to get into, and if she doesn’t like me, he won’t, either.”