NANNY FOR MENDES.

Twenty-one

𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗡'𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗩.

Noah calls me. He's literally behind me, in his car.

"Yes?"

"I'm meeting you at your place."

"Okay."

I drive to my place, thinking.

Sophia Johnson. This girl. She just entered our lives and changed it. Well, technically, she changed my son's life into the better, which makes 𝘮𝘺 life better.
God. I trust her. I just told her everything. I told her things I didn't even tell Noah, the details. There's just something about her that compels you to pour your heart out to her. Seeing her hug Noah....it just gets on my nerves. I know I shouldn't care that much, but I do.

Spending time with her is really helping me. She makes me forget the shit I'm in when I'm with her. Even when Noah mentioned the Ice Cream thing with Christina, it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. I actually smiled and laughed. It was honestly hilarious. And Sophia just takes good care of me and Bear. Better than Christina ever did.

Noah, my best friend, considers her his friend now. Which is something I like a lot, considering that he's my best friend. And she's my..... son's nanny? Well yes, she is, technically anyway. But no, we're more than just a boss and his worker. She's my... friend?

She just endured me when I'm mean or bitter to her.
When she stormed off at my company that day, I was honestly confused. She yelled. She was bold. She told me off for being rude. And honestly, I 𝘸𝘢𝘴 rude. But I was having a really bad day. Christina had visited me before I interviewed the girls who wanted the job. We were going through divorce arrangements with my lawyer. Yes, they aren't finished yet. We're bot legally divorced yet.

And I don't know why, but I just felt I should employ Sophia. I followed my instincts on this.

Finally, I park my car and wait for Noah.

We take the elevator and head to my apartment.
I open my front door and get inside with Noah.
He's being weird.

He goes to the kitchen, takes two cans of beer and gives me one.

We sit on the living room's couch.

"What is it? You're being weird." I tell him.

"So Sophia.. huh?"

"What? What the hell are you talking about her?"

"Is there something between you two?"

"What? No. Of course not you asshole."

"Well. The way you look at her..."

"What's wrong with the way I look at her."

"Dude. You don't realize it, do you? You two are casual. You're not professional. Yes, bosses and employees can be friends outside of work, but not you. At all. She put her hand over yours and you let her. She was comforting you. You two even going out together when Bear isn't even around. You didn't tell me over the phone that she was with you. And when you left work, you didn't mention her at all. And she told you to stop being insecure. How much does she know?"

"She knows everything."

"See? That's what I'm talking about. You trusted—trust—her. You're not someone who opens up easily. And when I mentioned Christina at the Ice Cream shop, you actually loved! You didn't frown or get upset. You're smiling and laughing these days. I noticed at work that you were distracted. But not sad-distracted. You're not as sad as before. You look... happier? I don't know, but just not as sad. But today, I realized it all. It made sense. I never thought it'd be Sophia though."

"What do you mean?"

"What? You don't know what I mean?"

"Not a single idea."

He sighs.

"You like her, you ass."

"The hell I do!"

"Calm the fuck down. I'm just stating facts here. I'm opening your eyes, Shawn. You didn't even realize it."

I laugh. I don't like her. Fuck it!

"Noah. Shut the fuck up."

"Dude. Chill. See? You're angry when I say you like her. You glare at me like you want to kill me when I hug her. You're jealous."

"Noah. Shut. Up."

Now I'm angry as fuck.

"Dude. It's okay if you like her. You won't be stuck on Christina forever. I'm your best friend. You can admit it to me."

"Get the fuck out of here."

"Woah. Chill. I'm sorry."

"Just go, Noah."

"Shawn, you know I didn't mean t—"

"Just get the fuck OUT!"

He looked at me, with pain. Like he's shocked.

"You're such an asshole, Mendes. I'm helping you realize that you like a girl and you fucking tells me to get out of your damn house! You're such a good friend! Fuck you!"

And he leaves.

Do I like her.....?
Yes, I do. A lot.

𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙩.