Page 59 of The Surrogate Nanny
I released Nori immediately, not wanting to get on Simone’s bad side. Simone used her mama spidey sense, blindly scooped Nori up, and tucked her under the blanket with her. Nori placed her cheek against Simone’s chest and grinned at me as she fondled one of her mother’s braids. I couldn’t blame her. I had a similar urge when Simone returned from the hair salon with thin braids that tapered at her tailbone. I was attracted to the gold jewelry that wove through her braids like a moth to a flame and nearly made the mistake of touching her hair without permission. I asked and was swiftly denied. Exceptions were obviously made for Nori.
“How much longer do we have until I’m off this flying hunk of metal?”
“Less than an hour.”
“Thank God.”
“Would you like another glass of wine?”
“Anthony, if I didn’t know any better, I’d believe you’re trying to keep me drunk.”
“I’m trying to keep you comfortable.”
“Same difference.”
I chuckled and grabbed her hand, pressing it to my lips.
“Thank you, Anthony.”
“For what?” I questioned, staring at her blank ring finger.
Too soon, buddy. Way too soon.
“For treating me and Nori so well. Given our history, I was skeptical that this would all work out, but...thank God for Jonathan.”
“Thank God for Jonathan,” I murmured against her fingers.
“He’s a good friend, Anthony.”
“Eh, I don’t know about him being agoodfriend. He tried to take you away from me.”
She cracked a smile. “You’re lucky he canceled on me.”
“You don’t have to remind me.”
“Now that the dust has settled, what’s the deal with Jonathan and Eliza?”
“I’m not one for idle gossip and drama, but—”
“One of your favorite shows isCheaters.You love drama.”
“Well, hold on. I don’t love the drama; I’m intrigued by the sheer stupidity of it all—the script, the bad acting and choreographed fights, and the crocodile tears.”
“I don’t know, Anthony. Most people don’t spend an hour of their life watching a show they hate.”
“It’s like rubbernecking when you pass by a car accident; you can’t help but look,” Anthony explained.
“If you say so. Tell me what I want to know.”
“What will I get in return?”
Her lips pursed as she considered. “I’ll be on potty-training duty this week.”
“Sold. You’re too easy, Simone. I would’ve accepted a polite thank you.”
“You can’t tell, but I’m rolling my eyes under this mask.”
“Oh, I had a feeling, but I’ll bite. A deal is a deal, after all. Eliza was trouble from the very beginning when we all met in college. Jonathan was a goner, and nothing she said or did could convince him to leave her. He used to be, well, he still is the type of person who sees the good in everyone. The woman was toxic, and despite Jonathan being a shark of a lawyer, she always managed to flip everything on him and make him feel like the bad guy.”