15 Shades Of Pink

by Scott, Lisa

  But Jeremy? Her mother would love Jeremy; he had both. She wondered if her mother had seen him in the building. How long was it going to take to land this man? Mother would be so proud of her once she did.

  She straightened her shoulders and smiled at Jeremy. “I can’t wait to spend some time with the kids.”

  “Good. I think they’re looking forward to it, too.”

  She couldn’t help notice the way he escorted Shaw out the door with his hand on her lower back. He rarely did that to her. When he brushed a tendril of hair off Shaw’s face, Veronica marched into the playroom to show these kids the best damn time they’d ever seen.

  ***

  “But I don’t want to color!” Jake stomped his foot, ran to his room, and locked the door.

  She slumped against the wall. Fine. One less to watch. “Jenny? Maddie? How about those makeovers I promised?”

  They dropped the dolls they were coloring with Sharpies and followed Veronica to the dining room where she’d set a big mirror on the table, along with lipsticks and nail polish, four different kinds of hair spray and all the other ammunition she had to look as good as she did. “You girls always say how pretty I am, how would you like to look like me?”

  “Yes, yes!” they cried together.

  Veronica sat down in front of the mirror to reapply her lipstick. “Let me show what I use, then we’ll put it on you, okay?”

  “Okay,” they said in singsong.

  She popped open her favorite berry-colored lipstick and swiped it across her top lip. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. “Who’s the prettiest lady in the whole wide world?” she asked. She loved hearing them say, ‘You are, you are!’ She went to work on her bottom lip while waiting for their answer.

  Jenny looked at Maddie and shrugged. “Snow. Snow White is.”

  The lipstick trailed off her lip. “You mean Shawna? Shaw?”

  They nodded enthusiastically. “We like to call her Snow.”

  She tried to force a smile, but couldn’t. “You’re teasing me, aren’t you, you naughty girls?”

  The twins shook their heads.

  Veronica gulped. “You think she’s prettier than me?”

  “We used to think you were the prettiest, but Snow has prettier hair, and her face doesn’t have those lines around her eyes.”

  What was she getting botox for if these twerps could still see her wrinkles?

  “And she sings so pretty and we just like her a lot.”

  Veronica slammed her makeup case shut and turned the mirror around. “I think we’re all done with our makeovers for tonight.”

  “Aww. Please?”

  “No.” And with that, plans to make cookies were canceled, as was story time, and the board game. She sat the children on the couch and gave them each a book to read while she raided the kitchen for chocolate.

  Snow White. Ugh. They had a nickname for her! And this was all her fault suggesting Shawna work here.

  After eating half a bag of ancient chocolate chips, she slumped on the couch, flicked on a movie for the children—without any popcorn—and fell asleep.

  ***

  Shaw was so nervous being around so many beautiful, well-dressed people, she spent the entire night at Jeremy’s side. She wondered if any of them had known her father. Probably. This is the kind of event he went to from time to time. Hell, this is probably where he’d met the thief who’d convinced him to invest in the Magic Bean coffee company. He’d lost most of his money when the scam was uncovered two years later.

  Jeremy looked at her and smiled. “This really isn’t your kind of thing, is it?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “It’s not. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s not my thing, either. But it’s a great place to meet new clients. I think I’ve done enough networking tonight, though.” He stood up and held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s go look at the animals.”

  “Should I find some other people to line up and walk like a penguin?” She stuck her hands out at her side and shuffled a few steps.

  He laughed. “No, just you and me this time.”

  That sent her heart tumbling into her stomach. “Not the reptile house. That might freak me out at night.”

  “Let’s go see what the polar bears are up to.” He set his hand on her lower back again, and that set off another round of shivers.

  The moon was full and the night was chilly. Shaw tightened the shawl around her shoulders. Jeremy noticed and wrapped his arm around her. “This has been a really nice night. I love watching you with the kids, but getting to talk to you without cartoons in the background or three children hanging on my leg is nice for a change.”

  “You’re going to have quite a few more busy years with those kiddos.”

  He stopped and stared at her. “I certainly hope not all by myself.”

  She beamed at him. “I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.”

  He ran his finger down her cheek. “I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before you land one of those auditions.”

  She shrugged, hoping he didn’t notice the shiver that had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with his soft touch. “It would have to be something pretty special to get me to leave.” She knew that now, after Veronica’s little scheme. But would she say no to all offers?

  “Good. We like having you around.”

  She felt herself frown at the word ‘we.’

  He noticed, tipping her chin up with one finger. “I mean, I like having you around. Even if I didn’t have the kids, I’d like having you around.” He sighed and looked up at the moon. “I’m so bad at this.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Is there anyway to make this work between us? Or is it too difficult because of the kids?”

  “You’d be willing to take the risk? If it didn’t work out, I can’t imagine I’d be able to stay on as the nanny.” She looked down.

  “I’ve thought about that. But I think finding someone to love is even harder than finding a nanny. Especially when you’ve got seven children to love, too.”

  She raised her face to his. “I’d say it’s worth a chance.” And as her heart thudded, he bent down and brushed his lips against hers. She kissed him back, thinking of that couple smooching in the street. She’d kiss Jeremy in the middle of rush hour traffic. Then Shaw frowned, imagining a semi running her down.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Veronica,” she whispered. “She’s going to be livid.”

  He sighed. “I was too stupid to see she was interested. I just thought she was being a good friend. I was too numb to notice anything. But she’ll understand, right?”

  Shaw blinked a few times. “Sure. Maybe.” Never.

  ***

  Jeremy kissed her one more time before they went in the apartment. “Let’s not tell her tonight,” Shaw said. She wanted to be sure all the knives in the house were hidden.

  “Okay.” He unlocked the door and led her inside. “I usually don’t get home this late. It’s after midnight.” She followed him into the living room where Veronica was sprawled across the couch with the triplets asleep on the other end. John and Lizzie were snuggled up on a chair, and Jenny and Maddie were asleep on the floor.

  “I guess they conked each other out,” Shaw said.

  Veronica stirred on the couch and opened her eyes. “Oh, you’re home already.” She sat up, smoothing her hair and tugging down her shirt. “I guess we had so much fun we just dozed off.”

  Jenny and Maddie woke up and rubbed their eyes. “Daddy!” They launched themselves at him and grabbed his legs.

  “Did you have fun with Veronica?” he asked.

  Jenny stuck out her lower lip. “No. She got mad and wouldn’t give us makeovers.”

  He frowned. “What did you two do to her?”

  “We said Snow was prettier than she is and she got really, really angry.”

  Veronica popped up from the couch. “What? Oh, no, no, no girls. You must have misunderstood me.�
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  The twins glared at her with their hands on their hips. “Did not. You said—”

  “Oh, who can remember what we said?” Veronica interrupted. “Now let’s get you into bed.”

  “That’s okay, Veronica. We’ve got it.” Jeremy turned to Shaw. “I’ll get the triplets, you want to handle the rest?”

  “Sure.”

  Jeremy reached out and squeezed her hand. Veronica’s eyes widened, then narrowed. “Jeremy, I promised the children I’d make them dinner tomorrow. Shall I stop by at five?”

  Jeremy looked at Shaw. “Sure. We have some things to talk about.”

  “Good. It’ll be a dinner for the ages.” She scooped up her makeup in the dining room and let herself out. “See you tomorrow.” The door slammed behind her.

  “We’ll tell her about us tomorrow after dinner, when the kids are in bed.”

  “It won’t be pretty.”

  He kissed her again and grinned. “No, not as pretty as you. I have to agree with the kids.”

  She bopped him with a throw pillow from the couch.

  ***

  Veronica could very easily panic over this, but she chose not to. She was moving on to another strategy: making Shaw look bad. She’d show off her cooking skills, and maybe even set up Shaw to have a few accidents with the children. Her mind was concocting all sorts of ideas—missed appointments, lost shoes, and hell, maybe even lost kids. Veronica wasn’t stupid. She’d graduated Magna Cum Laude from college. She’d told Shaw’s father not to invest in that Magic Bean company. The numbers just didn’t add up. But he didn’t listen to her, and he’d lost them almost everything.

  But she was Veronica Midas. She would land another man, and that man was going to be Jeremy James.

  ***

  Veronica remembered making a chicken potpie with the cook one weekend when she was a child. She’d make two of them, and then a big apple pie. She made a trip to the market to buy the ingredients, and tried on five different outfits before settling on a simple, but elegant dress. Then she splurged on a cab ride to Grimm Towers where she was in the fight of her life.

  Shaw was playing Twister with the kids when Jeremy let her in. “You really don’t have to do this. You told me you hate cooking,” he said, taking the grocery bags from her.

  She pressed her hand against her chest. “Oh, no. I meant I hate cooking for just me. But cooking for all these hungry little mouths? What a dream. I hope they like chicken pot pie and apple pie?

  “You’re making pies for dinner?” Tyler asked. “That’s odd.”

  “Just wait and see. Now run off and play with the nanny and let me get started on our delicious meal.”

  She unwrapped the frozen crusts and then stirred up the ingredients for the filling: cream of mushroom soup, peas, carrots and onions. Yuck, then she had to cut up the chicken. She plopped the meat out of its Styrofoam container onto the counter, trying her best not to gag at the site of raw meat. She pulled a big knife out of the butcher block and cut the chicken into small chunks and sautéed them.

  Once she had the two potpies in the oven, she got to work on the apple pie. Luckily, Jeremy had two ovens. Was that why? One for dinner, one for dessert? Oh, it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t be cooking much once they were married, but it was important he knew that she could in a pinch.

  She grabbed the knife again, and sliced up the apples. She didn’t care so much what the apples inside the pie looked like. She cut the apples into bits and chunks and then cut a few pretty slices to garnish the top when the pie was out. She actually enjoyed the process of combining the ingredients, knowing she’d be creating something beautiful and delicious in the end. Maybe she would cook occasionally once they were married. Just for fun. She slid the pies in the oven, and soon the smells of the chicken potpie and the apples and cinnamon mingled in the apartment, which would certainly lure Jeremy into the kitchen.

  “Smells good,” Shawna said, walking in.

  “I’m good at many things, you know. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

  Shawna squatted down and peered in the oven. “That’ll be a first. I’ve never had your cooking before.”

  She ignored Shawna. Whatever little crush Jeremy had on his nanny wouldn’t last long. Veronica was setting the stage for him to tumble into her arms. A good meal would help the cause. “I’ll go call the kids for dinner.”

  Soon, the children, Jeremy, and Shaw were seated at the table. Veronica set out the chicken potpies on the table. “We’re having pie for dinner?” Maddie asked. “That can’t be good for us.”

  Never liked that one. Well, there’s always boarding school. Seven is too many, anyway. “Darling, this is good old fashioned cooking. It’s got chicken and vegetables. You’re going to love it.”

  After shooing away the dog and the ferret lurking under the table—she’d have to get the number for the SPCA once she moved in—Veronica dished out a serving for everyone, and while the kids pushed around the peas and stabbed a carrot or two, Shawna shrugged and took a big bite. She chewed a bit then nodded. “Not bad. I’m impressed.”

  Veronica smiled at Jeremy. “I haven’t had the chance to do cooking like this for a family.”

  Shawna pointed her fork at her. “Right, because we had a chef when you were married to my dad. You were very good at ordering out, though.”

  Veronica gripped the edge of the table. “Circumstances were different then. And your father liked ordering out.”

  “He was hardly ever home for dinner.”

  Veronica took a deep breath. “Well, I think my maternal instincts are finally kicking in. Maybe it just required the right child,” she said through a tight smile.

  “Maybe it’s because you were so young back then.”

  Veronica stood up, smoothing down her dress. “Who wants apple pie?”

  She sliced up enough servings for everyone, and gave the first one to Shaw. “You like apple, don’t you?”

  Shaw grabbed the plate and stared at her. “I do.”

  The kids poked at their pie, picking off the fresh slices on top that had gone brown since she’d cut them, but Shaw ate the whole thing.

  The kids pushed away from the table. “Can we be excused?” Jenny asked.

  “Yes, but thank Veronica for a nice meal,” Jeremy said.

  “Thank you,” they said together in a way that did not sound grateful at all.

  “I’ll get them started on baths. You’ve all got school tomorrow,” Shaw said.

  “Aww!” they protested, as they followed her out of the room.

  Good. Time for the kill. Veronica looked at Jeremy. “No pie for you?” She raised an eyebrow. “Or did you want something else for dessert, perhaps?”

  “No, no. I’m full. It was good.”

  Oh, he’s so thick. She shrugged. “I’m multi-talented. In the kitchen, and other rooms in the house.” She placed her hand on his knee.

  He removed it and cleared his throat. “About that. Veronica, I’m sorry if I’ve given you the wrong impression. I’ve been too shocked with grief to really see what’s going on around me. I thought you were here just as a friend to Dina, but I’m sensing you were hoping for something more?”

  Despite the sinking feeling in her stomach, she smiled at him. “I did come here as a friend. But I’ve developed feelings for you, Jeremy. We’d make a wonderful team, and I love your children.” Clearly, we’d need to get a new nanny…

  He sighed. “I hope I didn’t mislead you in any way. I just don’t feel that way about you, Veronica. I hope we can still be friends.”

  She crossed her arms in a huff. “It’s Shawna, isn’t it?”

  “I do have feelings for her. But you and I just weren’t meant to be.”

  We’ll just see about that. “You’re still raw from Dina’s death. Give it some time. You’ll see we’re perfect for each other.”

  “I don’t think you should come over quite as often.”

  She looked up at him. “Of course. If that’s what you
want. But you can call me anytime if you change your mind.”

  Remarkably, she waited until she got outside to cry. She’d been able to land any man she’d ever set her sights on. How had this gone wrong?

  Shawna. She’d pay. She didn’t know how, but she would.

  Without enough money in her wallet for a subway ride, Veronica started the long walk home. She paused in front of a bakery looking to hire. The Naughty or Nice Bakery? Sounds perfect for me. She jotted down the number. She had enjoyed cooking that evening. Maybe she could even land her own cooking show someday, or her own line of celebrity cooking ware. Or she’d marry a celebrity chef! She twirled on the sidewalk, enchanted by the endless possibilities. Maybe it was time to try the working world again until she found another suitable husband.

  Or until Jeremy came to his senses.

  ***

  Shaw got the kids into bed, and Jeremy went from room to room with hugs and kisses goodnight.

  “Snow, we want kisses, too!” Jake called.

  She looked at Jeremy who nodded for her to go ahead. She gave them each a kiss on the head and wondered if she’d ever be lucky enough to call these children her own some day. It was remarkable, really. She’d told herself she wouldn’t even think about children until she was well into her thirties, hopefully after she’d been on a few touring productions.

  She followed Jeremy into the living room and they collapsed on the couch. “Dinner wasn’t bad, huh? Although the apple pie tasted a bit funny.” She rubbed her stomach.

  “Glad I didn’t have any. I don’t think we’ll be seeing much more of Veronica.”

  “Oh?”

  “I told her I didn’t have feelings for her. But that I did have feelings for you.”

  He reached for her hand and she ignored the painful twist in her stomach as he leaned over to kiss her.

  ***

  She replayed their kiss most of the next day. She was chasing the triplets with their sneakers for a walk after day care, when her cell rang.