Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“Why not?” he asks before taking another drink of his wine.
My grin is abashed. “First, I really had no interest in going to college. Just committing to another four years of learning seemed… daunting. Mostly though, I wanted to be more hands-on with kids. I wanted to be a bigger influence than having an hour a day with a large group of kids versus more one-on-one. I wanted to be able to take care of and influence a young child’s life for the better, especially when they have to contend with the schedules of their working parents. I knew those challenges firsthand as both my parents were career-oriented and worked demanding jobs. Nannying was the way for me to do that.”
Foster leans back, drums his fingers on the table. “That’s impressive. Any regrets on the path you chose?”
“Not in choosing childcare over music, because I still get my music fix while doing what I love best. But a little regret on not going to college. Now that I’m older, I wish I’d tried it.”
Foster shakes his head. “I don’t believe college is for everyone. I don’t think you needed it for what you do, but if it’s that important to you, it’s never too late to take a shot at it.”
“Not sure it’s that important,” I grudgingly admit. “But maybe one day.”
He nods as if he understands that it’s an unrealized dream but one I’d be okay just keeping as a dream. “Tell me more about your family. What are they like? It’s clear you’re close to them.”
“Very close and it’s possible I could talk the rest of dinner about them.”
Spreading his arms wide, he says, “We have nothing but time tonight, so talk away.”
I dive deep into my family, having no choice because for every tidbit I give him, he has follow-up questions. He’s so engaged, so interested in learning about me, it casts Foster in a different light. He’s no longer just the nice, gorgeous hockey player who has my interest, he’s a man who’s proving himself to be a genuinely good human being. And tonight, he’s showing just how into me he is. It’s flattery that goes beyond mere compliments. It’s the type of attention that says, you are beyond worthy of my notice.
I feel a connection that stretches beyond our usual roles, a spark of something new and exciting. It’s as if we’re seeing each other for the first time, not as employer and nanny, but as Mazzy and Foster, two people on the edge of something wonderful.
The net effect is that I’m hooked. I wasn’t sure how this date would go and if there would be anything other than intense attraction and mutual admiration. Before we’re even done with the meal, I know this is a guy I could fall hard for.
Under ordinary circumstances, I would be flying high with the possibilities, but I can’t help but worry if we’re doing the right thing because we have Bowie Jane to consider. Even if by all accounts she’s fine with this and it is actually good for her, I can’t help but worry what the toll would be if Foster and I didn’t work out, if this thing fizzles before it really starts.
Which means that no matter how much I want to see where this goes, I have to make sure I’m seeing clearly and proceeding with some measure of caution.
CHAPTER 20
Foster
As I pull into the garage, Mazzy is still doubled over, laughing hysterically about a story from my childhood. It involved my older sister, Marisol, using a Sharpie to color a goatee and thick eyebrows on me while I slept. She’s eight years older than me and was babysitting on a school night as my parents were out of town at a convention.
“I can just imagine you,” she chortles, wiping under her eye with her forefinger, “walking into school looking like that. I think your sister might be my hero.”
“I can laugh about it now but damn if I wasn’t humiliated by it.”
Mazzy breaks out into peals of laughter again, which makes me grin. We only drank the one bottle of wine, but apparently two glasses makes Mazzy very buzzed.
I knew she’d enjoy the story because like her own experience, I’m also close to my family. Marisol was mature enough to watch over me when our parents traveled for business. I was pissed at her about something and told her boyfriend that she practiced kissing him in the mirror. It was a school night and without hard-core direction, I wasn’t the best at getting myself ready in the morning. Marisol knew that and didn’t hound me to brush my teeth, which probably would have facilitated me looking in the mirror to see the Sharpie all over my face.
But no.
She walked me all the way to school… five blocks of passing people and not seeing the funny looks on their faces all because I told her boyfriend her secret. I should have known by the gleam in her eye as she gave me a pat on the head and wished me good luck as I walked into the school.