Page 23 of The Accidental Nanny (All Of You #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Gemma

I t’s been four months since Christmas. Four months since Alex had ended things, and life hasn’t gotten easier despite everyone's promises that it would.

I’ve seen Eden and Ace a few times with Jill. It’s hard to say goodbye to the children each time. I know it sounds silly, but I’d grown to think of them as my own. The time is coming when I'm going to have to stop seeing them, to make it easier for all of us.

I tried to revive my social media account, but it's full of depressing songs with sad pictures and quotes. Or it has memories of me getting ready to go out partying or shopping. None of that brings me any joy anymore.

Fern and Brody have been going out with me, to make sure I’m safe. The only enjoyment I get is seeing how uncomfortable Brody is in a nightclub.

It's Saturday, and Dad walks into my room. I groan as he stands at the end of my bed.

"Gemma. "

"It's early." Grabbing my phone from the side, I start to order food and an iced coffee from my favourite place.

"I know, but we need to talk," he says. At least he keeps his voice quiet.

"Yes." I’m too engrossed in my mobile to look at him.

"It's not as early as you think. It's 11 a.m., and you've gone back to your old ways. You're shopping every day, partying almost every night, and you're not working or looking for work." He doesn't sound angry, but I also think he's disappointed in me.

I feel my voice catch in my throat. “He broke me.” I put my phone on the side. Looking at my dad, I can see the sympathy in his eyes.

“I know, but, sweetheart, it’s been months.

We’ve given you enough time to recover from this.

I’ve been speaking to Beth’s parents. Annabelle has a job in her nursery.

She said for you to call her.” He hands me a business card.

I stare at it and nod. He sits down and puts a hand over mine. "You need to move on."

"Why does it still hurt?"

"Because you really did love him," my father says.

"He didn’t even give me a reason." I’ve cried so many times over him, going over every single detail. What did I do wrong?

Dad strokes my hand, pulling me in for a hug. “Honey, maybe it’s time to move on.”

“I don’t want anyone else.” I start to sob, pulling away from him. My pillow gets thrown across the room.

“The first one is always the hardest, Gem. Why don't you try dating again? There’s a nice lad who works in the company. His name is Leon. He’s a year older than you." Dad goes and retrieves my pillow and gives it back to me.

I wipe my eyes. “Are you trying to set me up?”

“I can't stand to see you so upset. Just try dating again, that's all I'm saying. It doesn't have to lead anywhere. ”

“Sure. Set it up,” I agree.

Dad’s right, I need to try and move on.

By Monday afternoon, I’m sitting in the coffee shop waiting for Leon to arrive.

The rain is hammering outside. Brody showed me a photo so I would recognise him when he arrived.

Brody tried to sound positive about me giving Leon a chance, but honestly, he sounded more protective than anything.

He made me promise to call him if Leon tries anything I don't like. I didn’t like this side of Brody; he was being too nice.

The door opens, and I see a tall, lean man take off his hood, the rain dripping down his forehead. He removes the steamed-up glasses that are sitting on his face, cleaning them.

“Gemma?” He spots me in the window seat.

“Leon.” I stand, giving him a kiss to the side of his lips. His breath smells of a mixture of tuna and mint.

“Hi,” he replies sounding nervous. “What would you like to drink?” he asks.

“I’m okay. I already bought one.” I indicate to the cup on the table.

He looks down at my coffee. “Ah, okay. I won’t be a moment.” He walks to the counter and orders.

He is handsome, but my heart isn't in it. I keep looking out the window at the tall building opposite—I chose this coffee shop and this chair on purpose.

Alex will be able to see me from his window. Why did I do it to myself? I don't even know what I would do if he came down here. I'm still so angry at him—I want him to hurt the way I am.

Leon comes back with a cup of tea and sits down. "So, you like little children? Your dad says you're interviewing to work at a nursery. "

I nod, glancing out the window again. "Yeah. I have an interview next week."

"That's cool. I have little cousins that I get along with." This is so awkward.

I smile and bob my head at the right points whilst he tells me about his family, all the while thinking about the children I’ve left behind.

Alex

It is her. It's definitely Gemma. I watch her for a good fifteen minutes; she keeps glancing this way.

I can't take my eyes off her. She’s seems to be laughing with the man sitting opposite her.

She knows where I work, and she knows that it is my favourite coffee shop. I grab my coat and head out the door.

“I’m getting a coffee,” I tell Fern as I walk out.

I run across the road, walking to where she is. When I open the door, she’s sat right by the entrance, I lock eyes with her. Gemma’s cheeks flush pink, and her breathing speeds up. Her nostrils flare, and she purses her lips together.

“Gemma…” The young man tries to get her attention.

“I’m sorry, Leon. I’ve got to go.” She stands up and leaves without a further word, storming past me. He watches as she runs out.

Seeing her hurts more than I thought it would. I miss her.

“What…?” The man she was with calls after her, but she’s already gone.

“It’s not you,” I tell him. “She picked this place on purpose. So I could see you with her,” I explain. He looks confused. I don’t blame him. “Want some company?” I ask.

“Sure.”

Grabbing a coffee, I sit where Gemma had been, the chair still slightly warm.

“How do you know her?” He takes a sip of his tea.

“We dated but we broke up a couple of months ago. She’s trying to make me jealous,” I say casually. It's immature on her part, but she’s still young.

The guy looks at me, surprised. “Aren’t you a bit old for her?”

“No.” I snort.

“Then why end it?” he asks.

I look into my coffee cup before I answer, “I didn’t tell her the truth.”

"She must care about you still," he says as he drains his cup.

“Yeah, she does.” I care just as much about her. We continue our small talk, and he waits for me to finish my drink.

"Well, thanks for the company." We both get up to leave. Opening the door, I see her car spinning off in the distance.