One wrong move and it would all blow over like a house of cards. I owed it to my kids to try harder, and that started with finding a job that earned more money.
I got Lena settled and walked into the living room. I could still see her sitting at the table, but she wouldn’t be able to hear my phone call. Not that she’d understand or care anyway, but it didn’t feel right to have this conversation in front of her.
Sebastian watched me pull out my phone. “I have to go out. A prospect is watching the house, but don’t go anywhere without me.”
I didn’t even care about him telling me what to do. I had a ton of work to do. And of course there was the call I was about to make.
“Wasn’t planning on going anywhere today.”
He studied me for another few seconds before lifting his chin and walking out.
When I heard the front door click shut, I found the number for Pepper’s.
Smitty picked up on the third ring. “Yeah?”
“Smitty, it’s Nora.”
He grunted. “If you’re calling in sick, don’t bother coming back at all.”
“I’m not. I just wanted to find out if you’re still short a girl,” I said, sweat beading on my brows.
“Are you telling me you’re interested in the position?”
I took a deep breath. “I am.”
“It’s yours,” he said without hesitation.
“But you don’t even know if I can dance.”
“Don’t need to. With your body and all that hair, it doesn’t matter. The customers will love you.”
I unsuccessfully tried to control my breathing, hoping I wouldn’t pass out before I finished the call. “When do I start?”
“Monday. But come in early before your next shift so Tia can show you the ropes and help you with your routine.”
Monday was only four days away. Which meant four days to get a routine right. Four days to psych myself up to take my clothes off in front of strangers.
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Don’t be late.”
He hung up, and I ran to the toilet and threw up. I’d had a lot of bad ideas in my lifetime, but this one was probably the worst so far. But I couldn’t go back to an empty bank account. If I just did this for a few months, I should be able to build up a small emergency fund.
I had little hope in getting the money back from Jim. It wasn’t a lot, but it was most of my savings. And him taking it was only the icing on my disaster cake. How did I not see how selfish he was when we first met?
Once my stomach calmed down, I brushed my teeth and went back to the kitchen. Lena was still eating her dry cereal, something that usually kept her busy for a while.
I pulled out my computer and got to work. Lena had a good day, and I finally managed to work through my to-do list. The last thing I wanted was to lose the job I actually liked.
Late afternoon, my phone pinged with a message from Malena.
Malena: When are you going to invite me over for that dinner you promised me?
Me: How about this Saturday?
I was in desperate need of my friend.
Malena: It’s a date. Will hunkalicious be there? That would make the night even better.
Me: Hunkalicious? Really? How old are you?
Malena: Shut up.
Malena: What would you call him? Wet dream? Walking, talking porn?
Me: How about Sebastian?
Malena: Boring.
Me: Come over any time. We’ll be home most of the day. Gotta go.
Malena: K. XX
Me: Is that code for something?
Malena: HOW OLD ARE YOU? I said okay and then sent you kisses.
Me: K. XX
I received no response to my last message and put my phone back down. I hadn’t seen Sebastian all day, but my latest guard was sitting in front of my house like the well-trained lapdog he was.
I finished up with work, and there was still no sign of Sebastian by the time I had to pick up Luca, so I got Lena ready and left.
The guy jumped up when he saw me walk down the sidewalk.
“Hey,” he called out and sprinted after us. “You’re not supposed to leave the house.”
I continued walking. “I have to pick up my son.”
“You can’t go anywhere without an escort.”
I huffed and still didn’t stop. “Good thing you’re here, then. You get to escort us to preschool.”
He caught up and put his hand on my arm. “Ace said you need to stay inside.”
I pulled my arm free and kept walking. “He knows I have to pick up my son. If he’s so worried about me going anywhere without him, he should have been here.”
“Something came up that he had to take care of,” the guy explained but didn’t try to stop me again.
“I don’t know how you think Jim is just going to show up here with you guys around. He might be a loser, but he’s not stupid.”
“Ace has a plan.”
“Of course he does,” I muttered and picked up Lena, who’d decided it was a great idea to rip flowers out of someone else’s front yard.
“Can you at least wait outside while I get my son?” I asked when we made it to the preschool.
“Sorry, can’t do that. Ace said—”
I turned and walked into the building, not hearing what else he was saying. I was getting sick of being watched. Of being told what to do. Of being made to feel like I was guilty for something I had no hand in.
Luca came flying across the playground as soon as he saw me.
“Where’s Seb?” he asked, looking around my shoulder.
I took his hand, and we walked inside to get his bag. “He’s busy.”
“Did he forgets to pick me up?”
I stopped in front of Luca’s classroom and set Lena down before kneeling in front of him. “He
