Nanny ___ Chaesoo

Chapter 9

Jisoo

                                           
                                                 
                             

Things had been awkward with Rosé ever since our almost-kiss at the zoo. Even days later she was shying away from me, maybe because I'd made an effort to steer clear of her too. The temptation was strong. It was worrisome enough to keep me from seeing her, at least for now. 

                             

If that weren't bad enough, Sky's guidance counselor called to set up a meeting. Rosé took the message and passed it on to me here at the office. Margot agreed to stay late to watch my daughter, and Rosé agreed to come with me. 

                             

It was just about time to pick up Rosé at the apartment and I tossed a few things in my briefcase before heading out. Hector waited with the car, and I slid inside the back. I drummed my fingers on my case as we made our way home. I buzzed Rosé a few minutes before arrival, and she was waiting for me when the car drew up. She'd been laughing at something Bill had said, and the sight of her made me catch my breath. 

                             

She was so fucking beautiful. She radiated innocence and sweetness, all the things Courtney wasn't. At least she had never been those things when I'd known her, though she must have been at some point, I suppose. In the early days, she'd been good at hiding her addiction. The long hours I worked to build the company and elevate our lifestyle had helped her hide it as well. I knew she drank too much alcohol, but the heroin addiction blindsided me. 

                             

Rosé could blindside me if I wasn't careful. Not by being a closeted addict, of course, but she could knock me off my feet without even trying. I was already feeling more for her than I wanted to... something beyond attraction. I liked her, and I wanted to spend more time with her. That was a red flag. I had to withdraw from her as much as possible. 

                             

Which didn't explain why I scooted a bit closer to her when she took a seat beside me in the limo. My determination to pull away should have kept me from asking about her day and chatting like old friends, though with a little lingering awkwardness, as we drove to the school. Awkwardness wasn't the right word, I decided, as we pulled up to the wrought iron gates that were closed this time of day. 

                             

As Hector communicated for entry, I tried to pinpoint the right description. 

                             

Awareness. 

                             

Yes, that was it. We both knew it, and we couldn't hide it. We could avoid discussing it, but that didn't make either of us any less aware of the other's desire. 

                             

Hector stopped in front of the school a moment later, and we slid out as soon as he'd opened the door. I caught a whiff of her hair, and it made me giddy. It was citrusy and something else. I wanted to wrap a strand around my hand and drag it to my nose, but that would be strange, and I wasn't so far gone yet that I couldn't control my impulses. 

                             

Or most of them. I couldn't resist resting a hand on her lower back. She stiffened for a second, but didn't move away.