The Nanny

Not What You Think

A distraction is all this was.

And maybe a hopeful attempt at making Aria jealous although that idea, later, made me only feel guilty. It wasn't like she knew how I felt and she was with Niall. But still, it wouldn't hurt for her to be a little jealous, right?

My date was going on and on about her trip to the states and I was pulling my napkin to pieces wondering what Aria as up to.

I wondered if she was cuddled on the sofa with Darcy and Jamie watching one of those cartoon movies my daughter loved and I highly suspected Aria did as well.

I wondered if she was thinking of me, wondering what I was doing in this exact moment. She wouldn't have any idea that I would rather be at home with them then here, miserable with a poor oblivious girl that was desperately trying to catch my attention.

I was aware it wasn't fair to... whatever her name was.... What was her name again?

Damn I should know this.

I glanced up at her, still carrying on about how big New York seemed, Cara told me her name three times before I left for this date. Why couldn't I remember?

"So my friend was like 'Zoey-'"

Zoey.

Remember that Harry.

Anyway, I knew I wasn't being fair to Zoey. I had no interest in her at all and I wasn't even trying really. But honestly it wasn't like she could say she wasn't using me as well. I noticed when she would look up to see if anyone saw her with me, or when she made sure to smile at the photographers outside of the restaurant before we walked in.

I knew she was a model friend of Cara's and I'm sure the publicity was very appealing to her.

In theory, it was a mutually beneficial date. She got the photographs taken of her out with me and I got my mind of the woman who was currently watching my daughter.

Except my mind was only on Aria. So much so I could barely recall this girls name.

I wondered if Niall was there with her, if they had made up yet?

I had to admit I was actually pleased to find out they had been fighting. It was nice to know that Aria's wrath wasn't exclusively aimed at me all the time.

But then I found myself feeling bad about being happy my mate was in hot water with his girl. I just wished his girl wasn't the same girl I wanted to kiss on a regular basis.

"Hey isn't that your friend." Zoey asked pointing over my shoulder towards the entrance of the restaurant. Her eyes were sparkling in that there's-someone-famous-around way that I had grown used to.

I rolled my eyes and began to turn in my seat; not really wanting to have to converse with anyone else so praying that they wouldn't spot me.

That was until a familiar head of blonde hair walked into my line of sight. I watched anxiously as he turned to smile at whoever was behind him, reaching his hand out to take theirs.

My first instinct was to duck down, even more adamant about not wanting to be spotted. I was sure that I didn't want to have to sit with Aria and Niall, watching them smile and touch each other while I had to pretend to be interested in whatever Zoey was going on about.

Then logic clicked in.

Aria wouldn't leave the children home when she said she would watch them. I knew her well enough to know she wouldn't have just done something like that in the spur of the moment.

It was about when I was having that thought the Niall's friend came into my sight.

Tall, blonde, and definitely not Aria.