by Heather B. Moore, Kaylee Baldwin, Annette Lyon, Jennifer Moore, Shannon Guymon, Sarah M. Eden
“Well then, let’s officially add cooking for Haiden to your list of duties.” Lila walked over and pointed a finger in her face. “It doesn’t matter if it’s me, Baxter or Haiden. If we tell you to do something, you do it. I don’t like seeing my little brother upset. If Haiden wants an omelet, then make him an omelet. I’m sure Bax is paying you enough to take ten minutes out of your day to help my brother.” Her eyes narrowed threateningly.
Jo wanted to die of mortification as she looked at Haiden, who was whistling silently, mocking her with his powerful arms crossed over his chest. “Understood.” She opened her mouth to quit right there but then closed her lips at the image of Tru hugging her yesterday as he cried. She’d keep her mouth shut for them.
For now.
Lila nodded, then walked to the door. “Fitz, I need a ride to the Upper West to meet Melissa for lunch. Haiden wants a ride into L.A. Let’s go.” And she walked out.
Haiden sauntered past Jo, stopping to touch a lock of her still-damp hair. “Now that you know how things work around here, I think you and I will be good friends,” he said silkily, before disappearing outside into the bright California sun.
She turned around and stared after Lila and Haiden as Fitz walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. “He’s pretty harmless, but if you want me to speak to Bax about him, I will. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable,” he said with a hint of steel in his voice.
“I can handle him,” she said, trying to smile. “He’s just a spoiled brat. Lila is terrifying, though.”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, making it stand up then fall perfectly into place. “That’s mostly because she’s trying too hard, and the stress of always being the best makes her miserable. I’ll see you tonight.” With that, he hurried after Lila and Haiden.
A pall was now on the day. She ran over everything that had happened, over and over, worrying over it like she would a bothersome hangnail.
Her conclusion: Keep her mouth shut and do what she was told to do. Truman and Nellie deserved someone who cared about them, and she did.
Who knew who Baxter James would hire if she left.
Chapter Four
Living Life
The next week passed by quickly since the kids were out of school, and Jo made good on her plans to take them on adventures every day. She took them to museums and interesting historical sites. Her favorite times were at the beach, just relaxing, the kids just being kids, building sandcastles, and body surfing.
Of course, having Fitz with them almost every day, when he wasn’t busy driving Bax or Lila around, made the days even better. She didn’t dwell on why that was; it would have been silly to even think about liking Fitz. He was too different from her.
He was confident and well-spoken where she was an introvert who had a hard time getting her lips to work right. He was smart and ambitious, while she couldn’t even get a job in her major. Add the facts that he was flat-out gorgeous and she was so average, and you had yourself a nonexistent relationship. Or as her friend Sadie put it, a fantasy.
She watched Fitz play in the water with Tru and Nellie while she pretended to read a book. She watched the way his muscles moved under his tanned skin and sighed. He was kind to her. He was polite, and he was sweet, but that didn’t mean he was attracted to her.
Not like the way I’m attracted to him, that’s for sure, she thought. So what if he’d told her she was pretty? That was just Fitz’s way of trying to be nice to a socially awkward nanny. He was being charitable, that was all.
She closed her eyes and allowed herself one little daydream of herself and Fitz, together, holding hands as they walked along the beach at sunset. He’d stop and put his hand on her face, looking deep into her eyes before he leaned down and kissed her. She grinned at the picture, and then jumped at her ring tone.
She grabbed her phone and stared in surprise. Brian?
“Hi, Jo. I just found out you moved to California. What’s going on?” he asked, getting straight to the point, as usual.
Jo closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. It had killed her when Brian walked away from her. Worse, he’d chosen a new girlfriend seconds after dumping her. One who knew how to look and talk at parties. One who knew how to not embarrass him in front of the partners at his law firm.
“I’m great, Bri. How are you?” she asked faintly.
“Worried about you. You up and move to California? Just because you and I didn’t work out doesn’t mean you have to run away. Look, I feel bad about how things ended between us. Come back home, Jo. We’ll talk.” His voice was kind and soft.
Jo’s spine straightened. “I didn’t move to California because I was running away from you or anything else. I came here for a job. I’m working for one of Hollywood’s top producers.” Her voice had become as frosty as Lila James’s.
Brian laughed. “Yeah, working as a babysitter. You’re too talented to be watching somebody’s brats. I may be able to help you find a job. My dad just opened an account with a new advertising firm, and he said he’d put in a good word for you. Come home, Jo. We can work it out.”
She stifled a groan and looked up in time to see Fitz grab Truman and throw him in the water. Nellie clapped her hands and reached for the same treatment.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” she told Brian. “I don’t fit your new image. I can’t help you impress your bosses. I don’t know how to make small talk at parties or fit in with your friends.” Odd that bringing up the past wasn’t bringing the usual rush of pain. “None of that has changed.”
Brian sighed before answering. “You’re right. When I left you for Janelle, I was shallow and thinking of my career. Things haven’t worked out between us. She’s so busy with her own career that she doesn’t listen to me like you do. She cares only about herself.” He was starting to sound irritated.
She rolled her eyes and stood up. “Yeah, it’s rotten when someone you care about thinks only of themselves,” she said dryly. “Look, I’m working right now. Let’s talk later, okay?” She wanted to join the others in the water.
He paused. “I thought you’d want to get back together.”
Jo blinked in surprise and stared at her phone for a second before answering. “I admit that the first month was hard for me, but I can see our relationship clearly now— so no. I want someone who is madly in love with me, not making do. Good luck with everything, okay?” She disconnected, put her phone in her shoe, and ran across the sand. She dove into the water and came up beside Fitz.
He grabbed her, and she found herself thrown in the water. She burst through the surface, grinning and laughing as Tru and Nellie’s arms wrapped around her, taking her back down into the waves. No, she’d never go back to Brian. Not where she wasn’t appreciated and loved. Life was too short to be used and tolerated for being a good sounding board and listening to his every last, little thought.
Life is to be lived, she thought again, then dove for Fitz’s legs, bringing him down as Nellie and Tru yelled with happiness. And maybe, really living life meant finding out what it meant to be truly loved.
She hoped so.
Chapter Five
Starlight Kisses
“These pancakes taste like cardboard. Make me something else,” Haiden said, sounding bored as he pushed his plate away and looked at her with a cruel smile.
Jo bit her lip so she wouldn’t tell him exactly what she thought of him. “What would you like instead?” she asked tonelessly as she stared at the stack of perfect pancakes she’d spent fifteen minutes making him.
He yawned and scratched his armpit. “Hmm, I’m trying to be healthier. Make me a smoothie and chop up all that fresh fruit into it.”
With a sigh, Jo sighed and turned around to open the fridge. Chopping everything would take another fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes she’d have to spend with Haiden as he watched her every move.
Marta walked in, began dusting the cabinets, and gave her a sympathetic look. “Jerk,” sh
e whispered softly as she walked by. Jo nodded her head in total agreement.
“Good morning.”
Jo turned around to see Baxter standing in the doorway, looking at everyone curiously.
“Hi, Mr. James,” Jo said. “Haiden wants a smoothie this morning. Can I make you one too?”
Baxter studied Haiden, unsmilingly, who was picking at his fingernail and ignoring her. “Jo, why in the world are you making Haiden a smoothie?” he asked, walking over and sitting down at the table.
Jo smiled sweetly at Haiden and motioned toward the large stack of pancakes still sitting in the middle of the table. “Because he said my pancakes taste like cardboard. And since your wife told me I have to do whatever Haiden says…” She sent a cold look at Haiden, who was trying to look innocent. He couldn’t have been that great of an actor, because he wasn’t pulling it off at all.
Baxter picked up a pancake from the pile and took a bite. “These taste wonderful.” He turned to Haiden. “Did they cancel your show? Is that why you’re sitting here, doing nothing while Jo cooks for you?” His voice was no longer nice and warm sounding.
“We have the week off,” Haiden said with a shrug. “And if you think those pancakes taste good, you’re crazy.”
Bax glanced at her apologetically. “I didn’t hire Jo to cook for you. I hired her to watch my children. Jo, where are Nellie and Truman?”
She sighed. “They’re playing video games while they wait for me to finish cooking for Haiden. We have plans to see the Redwood National Park today.”
Baxter’s eyes narrowed at Haiden, and he shook his head. “Go ahead, Jo. If Haiden is hungry, he can eat the pancakes. Oh, and from now on? You don’t cook for him.”
Marta straightened from the dishwasher and grinned at her, but Jo swallowed nervously at the glare Haiden shot at her over Baxter’s shoulder. “Um, Mrs. James was adamant that I do whatever Haiden told me to do. I don’t want to cause any trouble.” Yet she knew absolutely that she’d just caused trouble.
Baxter smiled at her. “Lila and I will talk about your duties. Have fun today, and be sure and bring me back a t-shirt.”
“Okay, you have a good day, Mr. James,” Jo said, relaxing.
He nodded and turned back to Haiden, whose face was now red. She hurried out of the room, collected Truman and Nellie, and rushed them outside, where Fitz was washing the car.
“It’s a go!” she shouted and opened the car door for the kids. “Buckle up,” she instructed, then shut the door with a grin.
As they drove, she told Fitz everything that had happened while the kids watched a movie.
Fitz blew out a breath and looked at her worriedly. “He could get you fired. Lila spoils him. She supports him— forces Baxter to get him jobs and turns her head whenever he acts like an idiot. Or like in your case, she backs him up because she thinks that’s what love means.”
Jo glanced at Fitz and noted his dark expression. He really was worried about her.
“That’s kind of messed up. Why does she put up with him?”
Fitz shrugged and glanced in the rearview mirror at the kids. “Lila’s mom was an alcoholic, and she practically raised Haiden. Everything she does is to erase their past and what they dealt with growing up. Too bad she’s so busy making sure her image is perfect and that Haiden has the best of everything. She’s completely overlooking the fact that she has a great husband and two amazing kids.”
Jo’s heart hurt for Lila, and even for Haiden a little, as she understood better the emotional dynamics of the household. “That’s so sad,” she said, feeling grateful for her mom and her imperfect childhood.
“These kids need you. If you get sacked, who knows who Bax will bring home next? Probably some homeless person he had a great conversation with about Meryl Streep,” Fitz said with a dry laugh.
Fitz had a point. “I got hired because I like The Lord of the Rings.”
“I was hired because of my love of all things Star Wars. But seriously, watch your back. Haiden may look like every woman’s dream come true, but he’s just a little junior-high bully.” He looked at her with worry in his eyes.
Jo ran her hand through her hair as she considered the ramifications. “I’m aware. And he’s not every woman’s dream come true.” She couldn’t help but stare at Fitz’s profile.
He came to a stoplight and looked over at her. “Oh, yeah? What’s your dream guy like?”
Jo knew she was turning red in the face. She’d never been good at flirting. Should I try?
“Hmm, my dream guy?” she said as she continued to blush. “He’s smart. Gorgeous. He’s sweet to children and easy to talk to.” She wished that her first love had been Fitz instead of Brian.
Fitz looked back at her and reached over and took her hand. “Want to know what my dream girl is like?”
Jo stared at Fitz’s large, tan hand covering hers and swallowed. “Yes,” she whispered.
He ran a thumb over the back of her hand as he continued to drive. “You.”
She looked up in shock as Fitz kissed the back of her hand lightly, and she felt every butterfly in the state of California jump around in her stomach. She tilted her head back and laughed. Not because it was funny. But because sometimes life was so sweet, there was no other way to express joy.
She was Fitz’s dream girl? She hoped he never woke up.
They spent the day exploring the forest and picking out the best t-shirts before having lunch at a local diner. By the time they got home, it was dark, and the kids were asleep in the backseat. She was grateful when Fitz helped her to carry the children inside and put them to bed.
“Care to gaze at the stars with me?” Fitz asked, taking her hand in his as they walked downstairs.
Jo melted into his dark eyes and felt a moment of wonder. Gazing at the stars with a gorgeous man was not an experience she was used to. She reminded herself to email Lindsey and thank her again for this job. Coming to California was the best decision she’d ever made. “I’d love to.”
She followed him out to the back patio, where they climbed onto the highest boulder by the pool and lay back, cradling their heads in their hands. Fitz pointed out all of the stars he could remember, and she told him the Greek myths that went with the constellations.
“So Aphrodite turned Adonis’s blood into flowers after he was killed by a wild boar? Weird,” Fitz said and turned on his side to play with her hair.
She smiled up at the sky. “She couldn’t stand to lose him. She loved him too much and wanted to have at least something to remember him by. I think it’s beautiful.”
Fitz snorted. “I’d rather have a kiss to remember someone by,” he said, then wasted no time as he leaned down and touched his lips to hers.
A tremor moved through her body as he continued to kiss her lightly. She turned her head and kissed him at a different angle, and suddenly the kiss changed from light and playful to something else entirely.
He pulled back a few moments later and stared at her, his shadowed eyes gleaming as he caressed her cheek. “Kissing is like drinking salted water. You drink, and your thirst increases.”
Jo sighed lightly as she ran her fingers through his thick, silky hair. “Did you just make that up?”
Fitz grinned. “Ancient Chinese proverb, but I agree with it. Now that I’ve kissed you, all I want to do is kiss you again.”
Jo laughed and sat up, gazing at the starry sky. As far as first kisses went, it had been perfect. “You’re so different from all of the other guys I’ve known. You’re so sweet and gentle.”
Fitz sat up too and put his arm around her shoulders. “It sounds like you’ve had a bad experience with men.”
She sighed and looked away. “My last boyfriend broke up with me because I was shy at parties and didn’t know how to talk with his boss. He called me today and wants me back.” Her voice had dropped off. She could feel Fitz stiffen beside her as she looked up at him. “I’m not going back.”
Fitz let out a sigh as if he wa
s relieved. “Just so you know, I hate parties.” And he began kissing her again. Jo softened against him as his arms tightened around her, pulling her closer and closer.
As the night grew darker, Jo realized two things. She’d never really been in love before. And she was on the edge of knowing exactly what it meant.
Chapter Six
Payback
Jo sang to herself as she made the kids breakfast— an apple crisp with honey and walnuts. It would be delicious but healthy, too. She took the casserole dish out of the oven and smiled at the fragrant steam.
“Perfect,” she murmured and set it on the stove then heard someone clearing their throat. A shiver of dread slipped down her spine as she turned around to see Lila staring at her unhappily.
“Care for some apple crisp?” Jo asked lightly. She took off the oven mitts and held them before her like a shield.
Lila glanced at the dish then walked over and took in a deep breath. “It does smell good.”
“And it’s very healthy,” Jo added quickly, walking over to grab a plate and a fork. She dished up a small square and handed it to Lila, who looked at Jo like she was handing her a snake.
Lila took the small plate but held it suspiciously. “That has carbs,” she said. “I’m not allowed to eat carbs.”
Jo raised an eyebrow. “Who says? It has complex carbohydrates, which your body needs for energy. Plus, it has protein from the nuts. Come on, just a little taste.”
With the spoon, Lila put a sliver of the crisp into her mouth and closed her eyes as she savored the flavors. “This is divine,” she whispered. But then she shook her head, opening her eyes and looking sad and lost for a moment. “My mom used to make apple crisp like this before she… well, before she got sick.”
Maybe Truman and Nellie weren’t the only ones who needed a hug.