NANNY FOR MENDES.

Nine

At 9:52, Noah said goodbye and left.

"I'll walk you." I tell him.

Shawn glares at us. What the hell os wrong with him today? He's weird!

"Look, Soph. I know he's on the Mean Shawn Mode now." He said, using air quotation. "Be patient. I know him well, Soph. I'm his best damn friend, so believe me when I tell you he's a good guy. Very good guy."

I nodded. I've nothing to say really.

We hugged and said goodbye.

I got back to the living room.

"Bear. Come on. Noah left."

He nodded. Such a good boy.

He took my hand in his and walked us to his bedroom. Shawn looked at our hands. Or so I think I saw. It was a brief one-second look.

I put Bear to bed, said goodnight and went to the living room.

I walked to the living room, and sat on the couch next to Shawn.

"Are you okay?" I ask him.

He nods but then shakes his head.

"No, Sophia. No. I'm not okay. At all. And haven't been for a while."

He didn't elaborate and I didn't push it.

I stand up and just as I was about to enter the kitchen, Shawn speaks. He's right behind me.

"I know I can be bitter and mean and rude sometimes. And I'm sorry. But I'm going through shit and it was a long shitty day at work today. I know it's not an excuse. But really, I'm not as bad as you think I am. I just need some time."

I turn around and say, "I don't think you're bad at all. I know you're a good guy. Everybody has the right to be stressed now and then. I get it. It's okay. I can handle a few Mean Shawn moments." I say, smiling.

He smiles back.

I walk into the kitchen, took my purse, opened it, wear a tiny bit of perfume, put the bottle back in my purse and turned around.

I bumped into Shawn. Hard. I wonder what it's like to see him shirtless.

𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙎𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙖!

"You just made my kitchen smell amazing."

I smile.

"Goodnight, Shawn."

"Goodnight, Sophia."

And I left.