Page 14 of Whiskey and Regret

“You’re early, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m actually on time.” I stepped in without an invite and moved past him. I liked his foyer. It boasted smooth hardwood floors that were so dark I thought I might tip into the black water. An art deco chandelier hung overhead, and the hallway was flanked with gorgeous art pieces. Hues of serene blue and solid brown danced in each picture.

“You are,” he glanced at his phone then hurried in ahead of me. “I’m sorry. Time got away from me. Right this way.” He rattled off the layout of the main floor before we stopped in the kitchen. “If you get this job…” He said, scooping protein powder into a blender.

“When I get it,” I corrected.

“If.” He cleared his throat and continued, “Will you be willing to make sure Frankie gets a full breakfast in the morning? She knows how to scramble eggs but her issue is waking up in enough time to do it. Will you make sure she eats on the days she doesn’t cook for herself?”

“Of course.” I was going to have to work on Frankie getting up in time to make her own breakfast because I needed all my beauty sleep.

“Can you cook?” Senator Freeman added almond milk and a banana to the blender as well then flicked the on switch.

“Yes,” I said taking a few steps forward so he could hear me. When I got close enough, I smelled his deodorant and clean sweat mixing. Something zipped through my veins. It was hot and quick. “I know how to fix enough stuff to keep us fed,” I told him. He slid his glance over to me and for a split second I saw a fire flicker in those cognac-colored eyes.

Was I tripping or did the senator eye fuck me?

I stared at him to see if he’d do it again but he was fixated on the blender. How fucking cute? The stuck up, darling dick senator thought I was hot. He wasn’t wrong but he was definitely barking up the wrong tree. I was too much for him. Even though seeing him dressed down did just as much to my pussy as seeing him dressed up.

Down girl.

Now he wouldn’t look at me at all. Maybe I was imagining the eye-fucking. Maybe I was hoping for it. Either way, I brushed it off and continued telling him all the different things I could cook. I didn’t know if that’s what I should do or not but I wanted to impress him so he’d hire me.

He shut off the blender and poured the smoothie into a cup. “That’s very good. I’m glad you can cook. I know Frankie will be too. That girl can eat.” His eyes lit up when he talked about her. So as long as Frankie still liked me, I was a shoe-in. Hopefully, we still clicked the way we did yesterday.

Even paced footfalls sounded above then moved closer to the kitchen. Frankie rounded the corner with her pretty face angled down at her phone. She was such a beautiful kid. Her penny brown skin glowed in the sunlight. It made her cheekbones pop.

When she looked up and saw me, a bright smile stretched across her face. “Xari, you’re here.”

“I am,” I nodded. “Cute outfit,” I wiggled my fingers at her khaki uniform skirt and white button-down shirt.

“Ugh, it’s hideous.”

“It’s plain but it’s supposed to be. Let’s make a deal. You fix yourself a reasonable breakfast and when you get home we’ll go through my clothes.”

“She has homework.” Senator Freeman frowned at me, a line deepening between his dark brows.

“Right. Of course.” I smiled making sure to toss a wink at Frankie. “I meant after homework.”

“Miss Lucas, are you able to use Google Drive?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“Good. I expect to see a schedule for Frankie’s activities, homework, and anything else you can think of. I’d need it updated weekly and accordingly. Is that something you can do?” I wanted to mock his buttoned-up tone and mannerisms but I rolled my lips between my teeth and held it in.

“Absolutely. I’m proficient in the entire Microsoft suite as well as all the Google apps. I can make lists, spreadsheets, and schedules.” I mirrored the senator’s tone and he seemed pleased.

“Good. If you don’t mind, I’ll get dressed and we can all ride to Holy Trinity and drop Frankie off so you can see the route we take.”

“I don’t mind,” I smiled. Senator Freeman kept his eyes on mine the entire time we spoke, and it made me wonder once again if I was imagining the eye-fucking.

When he disappeared up the steps, I looked at Frankie. “How long does it usually take for you to finish homework?” I hopped on the counter and swung my legs back and forth.

After she gave my shoes a serious once-over, she shrugged her shoulders and said, “If I get homework in all subjects, it takes me over an hour.”

“Over? So, are we talking an hour and a half? Two hours?”

“Sometimes an hour and a half, sometimes two.”