Page 73 of Nanny for the Bodyguard

After breakfast, I help Hazel clean the dishes while Jade runs off to her room, eager to get out of a chore. The TV plays idly in the background, providing a constant noise to fill the silence.

“No dishes means you have to take out the trash, Jade!” I call out, hoping it reaches her as she bounds up the steps.

“Okay!”

All I can do, yet again, is shake my head. “That girl. Are all ten-year-olds like this?”

Hazel smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I think so, yeah.”

I pause. Hazel is radiating tension, and she didn’t say much during breakfast, either. As I hand a plate to her to dry off, I study her face.

She’s chewing on her lip, her eyes doing that one-thousand-yard stare.

“Hey,” I prompt, getting her to look up at me, “you doing okay?”

I get another smile, and again, I don’t buy it for a second. “I’m fine. Still a little tired, is all.”

You were going to do this anyway. Now is as good a time as any.

I shut off the water and put my back towards the sink, grabbing one of the spare towels and drying off my hands.

Hazel gives me a look, knowing that I'm clearly up to something, and she sets the plate she’s drying down on the island as gently as she can.

“I can tell you're not okay. I can tell you're upset about something. And I have to assume that it has everything to do with last night and us and what's going on. I was going to wait to talk to you about all of this, but it doesn't seem like I should put it off any longer. We have a few minutes. Why don't we talk?”

Her eyes flare wide for a second, but then this look of relief washes over Hazel like she’s been waiting for me to say something, to prompt this talk.

“Yeah, it’s…it’s a lot.” She sags against the island, leaning like I am, and then her stare drops to the floor. “I…I don’t regret what happened, first of all.”

Tension bleeds from me, and I don’t remember when I started clenching my jaw, but it relaxes.

"But it’s confusing as hell. We’re supposed to be doing this fake dating thing, and I did agree to it, so it’s not like I’m angry. It’s just that…I’m nervous about what all this means.”

I run my stare over her, taking her in. Hazel doesn’t look nervous. She looks terrified. She looks worried and small and beautiful.

Stepping forward, I get right next to her, lifting her chin with my hand so that she looks me in the eye.

“I am, too. I have no idea what all this means, and it’s…” A cut of laughter escapes me. “It’s a lot.”

Hazel chuckles, flicking her stare down bashfully before meeting my gaze again. “I’m scared about what being together might mean for both of us. For Jade. It’s been a long time since we dated, but…but I can’t seem to stay away from you.”

And that’s it. That’s all of it right there in a nutshell. “Hazel, I?—”

“Breaking news.” The TV in the other room switches, using that odd sound they play when they interrupt what’s currently on to broadcast an important story.

Huh?

Dropping our conversation for now, Hazel and I walk to the living room, curiosity drawing us to stand in front of the set. I’m still holding the dish towel.

“We’ve just learned that Neil James, a felon convicted of aggravated human trafficking and exploitation, has escaped from California State Prison. It’s been stated that he broke out sometime during the night and is now at large. It’s not known yet how James orchestrated the breakout, but officials say a statewide manhunt is currently underway. Authorities are encouraging extreme caution for all those in the area. They’re cautioning civilians to stay vigilant and remain indoors when they can. James is described as a violent criminal, and he is likely armed and not traveling alone.”

A picture appears on the screen of Neil’s mugshot. It’s the first time I’ve seen his face.

“If you have seen this man, stay away. There is a tipline currently open, displayed at the bottom of the screen.” I see the 1-800 number flashing. “Authorities will investigate all potential sightings of this dangerous criminal.”

Fuck.

TWENTY-THREE