Formal Arrangement

by Gilmore, Kylie

  The hair on the back of Lauren’s neck stood up, her heart pumping hard at what she knew was the right thing to do. Alex must be in dire need. Josh never sounded urgent about anything. She could help Alex—she’d been a nanny all through high school and college before she was a teacher—and, with some effort, could ignore all her stupid one-sided longing/lusting/craving sparks.

  “I’ll do it,” she told Josh firmly. “I’m a teacher, so I have the summer off.”

  “Thank you, Lauren,” Josh said and snagged Hailey’s mojito, dumping it in the sink behind the bar.

  “Josh!” Hailey protested. “I thought we had an arrangement.”

  Josh’s smile was wicked. “Turns out I don’t need a favor.”

  Hailey’s mouth moved, but no sound came out. Her face and neck were flushed pink. Finally she announced, “Excuse me, I need to powder my nose.”

  Josh snorted. Hailey turned away stiffly and marched to the ladies’ room. Lauren followed on shaky legs, both needing a distraction and hoping to smooth things over for her friend. “Wait up, Hailey, you know we go in pairs.”

  Hailey laughed and they walked down the hallway to the restrooms together. Once inside, Hailey opened her purse and actually did powder her nose. The rest of her face too and then she moved on to touching up her pink lipstick.

  “Hailey,” Lauren said gently.

  “Mmm-hmm,” she said, rubbing her lips together and then smiling at herself in the mirror, probably checking for lipstick on her super shiny white teeth.

  “I have an idea for you and Josh.”

  Hailey’s pale blue eyes narrowed at Lauren in the mirror. “There is no me and Josh.”

  Lauren rushed on. “I think if you’re the bigger person, you know, be extra nice, he’ll reciprocate.”

  “Ha! You don’t understand Josh at all. He’s devious. You did just see him take back my drink?” She tossed her lipstick in her purse. “Excuse me. I’ll see you out there.” She went into one of the stalls.

  Lauren headed back to the bar, where her nice glass of chardonnay waited next to Hailey’s empty space of no drink ever. “Josh?” she called.

  He came over right away. “Yes, ma’am,” he said with a wink and a smile. He was being extra charming because she’d volunteered to help Alex.

  “I have an idea for you and Hailey.”

  “Save your breath,” he muttered.

  She went on, determined to smooth things over before someone got hurt. “I think if you’re the bigger person, be extra nice, she’ll reciprocate.”

  His dark brown eyes lit up. “Or she won’t know what hit her. She’ll go nuts trying to figure out what I’m up to. You’re brilliant!”

  She held up a hand. “No, I actually think—”

  “Brilliant,” Josh mumbled, smiling to himself as he fetched another mojito glass.

  Oh dear. Lauren sipped her wine, uneasy at what she might’ve unleashed. She glanced over to see if anyone else heard, but her friends were chattering away oblivious. Well, there was nothing to do but watch and run interference if needed.

  Hailey returned to her seat. Josh immediately served her the freshly made mojito.

  Hailey’s eyes widened. “What’s this?”

  Josh grinned. “I’m being the bigger person. This mojito is on the house.” He said that last part loud enough for all of their friends to hear.

  The women watched curiously at this surprisingly kind gesture on Josh’s part. Lauren modestly congratulated herself on at least beginning the path to peace.

  Hailey glanced around at all the curious eyes and then turned back to Josh. “I’ll pay double so you have a large tip.”

  Josh snort-laughed.

  Hailey frowned. “An extra-large tip.”

  “That’s what she said,” Mad quipped. Josh and Mad cracked up.

  Hailey’s head whipped toward Mad. “Whose side are you on?”

  Lauren jumped into the fray. “There’s no more sides. Everyone is all made up. Now let’s enjoy the peace and harmony.” She lifted her glass in a toast. Everyone clinked glasses with her.

  Hailey refused. “You should’ve been a hippie.”

  Lauren gave Hailey’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I like it better when everyone gets along. Isn’t this so much better?”

  Hailey harrumphed.

  “It is better when we all get along,” Josh said in a silky tone.

  Hailey eyed Josh suspiciously. He chuckled most deviously before turning to Lauren. “Can you meet Alex for a lunch interview on Saturday?”

  “That should work.” She didn’t have anything on her schedule until her dinner date.

  “An interview?” Hailey exclaimed. “He’d be lucky to have her. She’s an elementary school teacher with the patience of a saint.”

  “I don’t mind,” Lauren said. “It’s smart to get to know the person watching your child.”

  Josh gestured to Lauren, like what she said. “Lauren, once again you’ve proven your brilliance.”

  Lauren’s cheeks heated and she tucked her long hair behind her ears. “Thanks.”

  Hailey looked between the two suspiciously and then moved to mingle at the other end of the bar.

  Josh leaned across the bar toward Lauren and lowered his voice. “Don’t let Alex’s appearance alarm you. I’m not sure he’s even getting regular showers, but he’ll get it together soon.”

  Her heart squeezed. Alex must be in desperate circumstances. He needed her. Viv needed her too.

  “Don’t worry,” she said confidently. “I’ll make sure he gets regular showers.” She felt herself flush, suddenly picturing a naked Alex in the steamy shower. Maybe he’d have a tattoo. He had an edgy vibe to him when he wasn’t focused on Viv.

  “Good,” Josh said with a smile in his voice.

  She rushed to explain. “I mean, I won’t be with him when he does it, like—” she wagged her finger “—get in that shower, Alex!” Omigod, shut up.

  Josh just stared at her, so she kept explaining what she really meant to say before she started picturing Alex in the shower.

  “I mean, I’ll be watching Viv, so he can get naked alone—to get clean, I mean! Not for…” She stopped herself because now Josh was grinning at her. “I need a drink,” she muttered and drained her wine.

  “Oh-kay,” Josh said, shaking his head and then pouring her another glass.

  She took a sip of wine and told herself to pull it together. Alex needed a professional and that was exactly what he’d get. She could so do this.

  Josh crooked his finger at her and she debated for a moment if she should lean in. He had a devilish look in his eye and she wasn’t sure if she could handle any more embarrassment. He didn’t give her a chance to waffle any further, instead leaning close to whisper, “Alex has been celibate for two years.”

  She jumped back. “I can’t imagine why you’re telling me this. That’s private.” She reached for her wine and promptly knocked it over. “Ah! Sorry!”

  “That’s why,” Josh replied, grabbing some paper towels and sopping up the mess.

  “Thanks for cleaning that up,” she said, turning away from him in her embarrassment. A small happy feeling came over her that she really tried to squash down. She should not be happy that Alex was celibate. It was his pain and sorrow that made him that way. He needed time to heal. Yes, that was her job. Her mission this summer was to take care of Viv so Alex had the space he needed to deal with his stuff.

  She quickly decided she was thankful, not happy he was celibate because it made it easier for her to be open to Hailey’s Make Love Bloom (TM) plan with eligible single men. And that was that. Most definitely.

  Chapter Three

  Lauren wore her favorite dark blue and white polka-dot sundress with skinny straps that tied over her shoulders and headed down the sidewalk of Main Street to meet Alex for lunch at Something’s Brewing Café. It was a sunny June day, not too hot, with a light breeze that felt wonderful on her bare shoulders and back. She spotted him sit
ting in the outdoor area at a wrought-iron table with a patio umbrella.

  She gave him a little wave. He stood, wearing a T-shirt in the same shade of blue as her dress, black basketball shorts, and sneakers. Spark! She took a deep calming breath as she approached, taking in his appearance in an objective manner merely to see if he was in as bad a shape as Josh had said. His dark brown hair was clipped super short on the sides, only slightly longer on top. He hadn’t shaved and, given a few more days, would probably have a full beard. She quickly decided Josh’s warning had been unwarranted. He didn’t seem all that bad, just a little scruffy. His eyes were hidden by aviator sunglasses and for that she was immensely relieved. His dark old-soul eyes always gave her a twinge of sympathy for the pain she read there and she wanted to keep things upbeat during their interview.

  She reached the table and smiled. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Lauren. Thanks for meeting me.” He crossed to her side and held out her chair for her. She was a little surprised at the gentlemanly manners. Most guys didn’t bother. Bonus, he smelled great. Fresh from the shower was her absolute favorite scent.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking the offered seat. He helped push her chair in.

  “No problem,” he murmured before taking his seat across from her.

  “We match,” she said, gesturing between her dress and his shirt.

  He gave her a small smile. “Did you call Viv to find out what I was wearing?” His two-year-old daughter carried around a cell phone toy to be like her dad.

  “Yes, she said you’d be in blue and it was important I wore the blue dress to make a good impression.”

  He chuckled. “She’s savvy that way.” He gestured to the menu in front of her. “Take a look, let me know what you want, and I’ll go order it for you.” The café was strictly counter service. They didn’t have waiters.

  She took a quick peek at the menu and put it down. “I always get the chicken and sun-dried tomato wrap.”

  He stood. “Drink?”

  “Lemonade.”

  “No coffee?”

  She shook her head. “I already had some this morning. I’m good.”

  “Lucky you. I need it all day long. Be right back.”

  Lauren waited, people-watching the steady stream of people enjoying the beautiful summer day at the local shops and restaurants. Across the street was Shane’s Scoops with the best ice cream on earth and further down Garner’s Sports Bar & Grill, where she hung out with her friends. Next door to the café was Book It, where she tried to buy all of her books, including books for her second-grade classroom. It was important to support locally owned businesses if they were going to stay around. She’d grown up in Clover Park and loved it. In fact, her colleague, third-grade teacher Liz O’Hare, had been her babysitter. Now they were good friends, frequently having lunch together in the teachers’ lounge. It was Liz that put in the recommendation for Lauren to get the teaching job.

  Alex appeared a short while later, his arms full with two wraps, a large bag of potato chips, her lemonade, and an iced coffee.

  She leaped out of her seat, taking the drinks from him. “I would’ve helped you carry all this.”

  “That’s okay,” he said. “I’m used to juggling a bunch of stuff.”

  She helped him set out lunch and they dug in, chatting about the people they both knew. She’d met most of his family, except for a few of what Mad called her blood brothers, the guys her father had mentored and taken under his wing when they were kids.

  “Hard to believe we’ve got so much of our family involved in show business now,” Alex said.

  “I know, right? I mean, okay, Claire Jordan was always big-time Hollywood, but now Jake, Ty, and Park.” Jake Campbell was Claire’s husband and the producer of a reality TV show featuring Ty and Park fixing up and selling classic cars. Ty was also a Campbell; Park, an honorary Campbell.

  Alex shuddered. “I would hate it.”

  “Me too. It looks glam, but it’s super boring. Me and my friends were extras in Claire’s movie Fierce Longing.” She made a face. “So repetitive. Hours and hours of doing the same thing to get the perfect shot.”

  He nodded. “Kind of like being a parent, hours and hours of the same thing. Except you don’t know how it’s going to turn out until your kid is all grown up and by then it’s too late.”

  She sensed he was worried, so she rushed to reassure him. “Viv’s great.”

  He flashed a brilliant smile at the mention of Viv. “Yeah, she’s pretty great. Not sure how much of that is because of me.”

  “I’ve seen you with her. You’re doing a fantastic job.”

  He dropped his gaze to his lunch, mumbled a quick thanks, and went back to eating.

  Once they finished lunch, Alex took off his sunglasses, setting them on the table. “Okay if I ask you some questions?” He met her gaze directly. He had dark circles under his dark brown eyes, and those eyes—her heart squeezed—so tragic. In his shoes, she would be devastated. She longed to make everything better for him or at least take some of the burden off by helping with Viv. She wanted to hug him too, but she didn’t know him well enough for that.

  “Lauren?”

  “Oh. Sorry.” She smiled. “Of course, ask away.”

  “So why don’t we start with you telling me about your experience with kids?”

  She held up a finger, snagging her purse from the sidewalk by her feet. “I love kids.” She opened her purse and took out her résumé, folded neatly in quarters, and handed it over. She spoke as he read, giving him the relevant highlights. “I’m a second-grade teacher at Clover Park Elementary, I babysat my little sister growing up, she’s ten years younger than me, and I’ve spent summers as a nanny for local families all through high school and college.”

  Alex read out loud from her résumé. “Master of education, coursework in child psychology, certified in pediatric first aid and CPR.” He met her eyes. “You’re overqualified for this job. What do you normally do in the summer since you graduated college?”

  “I was working on graduate school, but that’s done. I decided to take it easy this summer.”

  His brows drew together. “Working for me wouldn’t be taking it easy. Why would you want this job?”

  “You need me.”

  He cocked his head quizzically. “I do need some help.”

  “No, you need me. I’ll help with Viv, which will give you the time you need to deal with your life.”

  He set the résumé down, studying her. “What do you mean deal with my life?”

  Your eyes, she thought. So much pain and sorrow. She spoke carefully, not wanting to upset him at this first meeting. They’d never really sat down and talked before, just the two of them. “I mean, well, you’ve had a lot happen in a short time and maybe you need a breather.”

  He leaned back in his seat. “You know about Tammy.” It wasn’t a question, so she remained quiet, giving him the time he needed to deal with his grief. He looked off in the distance. “I’m fine. It’s been two years. My main issue is sleep deprivation.”

  She didn’t agree that was the main issue, though she was sure the sleep deprivation didn’t help. “Okay.”

  He was silent, his jaw clenched tight.

  “I’ve overstepped,” she blurted. “I’m sorry. I’m just a very empathetic person and I can sense feelings in people’s eyes. Not everyone. Just some people have what I call old-soul eyes. Like Josh. Sometimes it hurts me to look at him because I feel his pain so deeply.”

  Alex was quiet for so long she feared she’d blurt her take on his old-soul eyes, so she busied herself, taking a sip of lemonade through her straw. Alex stared at her lips as she sucked the straw before he finally spoke. “Josh struggled with PTSD for a while, but he’s doing great now.” He met her eyes—pain, sorrow, and fatigue hit her all at once. Her heart ached for him.

  She set her drink down. “Mad mentioned he was a paratrooper in the army.”

  “Yeah. Hard-core front lines stu
ff. Hand-to-hand combat.” He stared at her for another long moment before asking, “Do I have old-soul eyes?”

  She nodded.

  “Are they like Josh’s?”

  “No.” She thought about telling him she saw fatigue in his eyes, something he could easily push away as temporary, but that wouldn’t help him in the long term. “Your eyes reflect pain and sorrow,” she said solemnly.

  He snatched his sunglasses and shoved them on. “Anyone might guess that if they knew about Tammy.”

  She swallowed down all the sympathy she had for him. “You’re right. Absolutely. Anyway, I want to help and it would be wonderful to spend more time with Viv. She’s an angel.” She knew the mention of Viv would improve his mood.

  His lips quirked to the side. “She’s not an angel. I feel compelled to warn you the two-year molars have spawned a devil.”

  She waved that away. “Temporary! She is definitely still an angel. Remember how she napped on me at Claire and Jake’s wedding reception?”

  “That’s sleeping Viv.” He was quiet for a long moment. “Are you sure you want this job? I completely understand if you want the summer free.”

  He was giving her an out, yet she’d already made up her mind. She was going to help him and that would help Viv in the long term. Any woman with eyes in her head could see that, despite Alex’s admittedly handsome face and fit physique, he was emotionally unavailable. It was all clear as day in his old-soul eyes. And his daughter would need more from him as she grew older.

  “I wouldn’t waste your time if I wasn’t sure,” she said. “I like to help people. I’m good at it.”

  He dipped his head. “Okay, when are you available?”

  “I’m flexible. School ended yesterday. When do you need me?”

  “All day and all night.”

  She laughed.

  He grinned. “You think I’m kidding? It’s been hell—all day and all night. Viv is a two-person job, maybe three or four.”

  She lifted her palms. “I’m only one person.”

  He got serious. “I’ll take nights. Can you do nine to five Monday through Friday?” He mentioned an hourly wage that was fine with her. She would’ve done it for free. This was her sole mission this summer—to help him and Viv. (Also, find Mr. Right, but that was Hailey’s mission now.)