Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“So ‘don’t answer’ is that bad?”
I could see the remorse in Jackson’s eyes and it hurt my stomach.
“I mean, I didn’t think so until I realized how he’s always treated me. Jackson, it’s hard to explain. I didn’t grow up like you.”
He considered what I said for a few seconds. “I’m sure my mom would love you living here,” he snidely remarked.
I sighed, stepping away. He was tearing into my insecurities about the situation, and all it made me want to do was leave. I was ready to turn around, but he grabbed my arm stopping me.
“I didn’t mean that. I mean… I did mean that, just not in the asshole way I said it. My mom wouldn’t want you to be in danger either. Besides, you stay over most of the time anyway. She’d be happy you’re here. For Journey.”
I nodded, not knowing what to say.
“And for Jagger.”
I couldn’t help myself. “And for you?”
He grinned. “Don’t push it.”
I smiled. I know our dynamic came off more like friends, but I wanted Jackson to trust me and open up. If I went all parental on him, I would lose the ground we’d already gained.
“Don’t let it go to your head, Mary Poppins. I mostly just like your cooking.”
“I thought you accused me of trying to poison you?”
“That’s probably true.”
“Probably, huh? Did you probably help me last night because you kind of like me too?”
“I already told you, I did that for Journey.”
“Well whatever the reason, thank you.”
“You’re not going to get all mushy and want to hug me, right?”
I laughed. “I don’t know, Jackson. Maybe we should hug it out. Maybe you’re a closet hugger and you just don’t know it yet.”
“Ask Harley. She’ll tell you what happened after she tried to hug me last night too.”
“Awe. I saw you guys on the roof. You were so cute, I think you lov—”
“Finish that sentence and watch how fast I slam the door in your face. She caught me at a moment of weakness, it’s not going to happen again.”
“Maybe it will.”
“I’m positive it won’t.”
“Why are you so mean to her?”
“Because I can’t stand her.”
“If that were true, you never would’ve let her comfort you in the first place.”
“I was thinking with the wrong head.”
“Ugh!” I stepped back. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.”
“Then you shouldn’t have asked.”
“I’m going to go now. Are we cool?”
“I’m not happy about you being the one who told me you’re living here now. But it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him.”
“Jackson, just give him a break. I’m sure he was going to tell you, I just beat him to it. He had to go to the hospital.”
“After the way he treated you last night, you’re still defending him?”
“Journey keeps calling me ‘Ma’, and every time it comes out of her mouth it hurts my heart. I can’t imagine what it feels like for your dad to hear her say it.”
“What does he expect? He’s never around. Journey is with you all the time. I could think of worse things she could say.”
“Especially with what comes out of your mouth.”
He chuckled.
“Your dad loves you, Jackson. I know that sounds really hard to believe right now, but it’s the truth. He wouldn’t have asked me to move in if he didn’t love you as much as he does.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Because that’s the first thing that flew out of his mouth this morning. What you guys would say to him if something happened to me. See, even he knows you like me.”
“You’re reaching, Camila.”
“You called me Camila, not Mary Poppins. Hashtag progress.”
“You really need to stop watching Mean Girls.”
“I’m not a regular nanny.” I smirked, winking. “I’m a cool nanny.”
He rolled his eyes, hiding back a smile. It warmed my heart that we were establishing some sort of middle ground.
“Better watch out, cool nanny, who knows what I’m going to do to you now that you live here.”
I stopped smirking. “Wait, what?”
He deviously grinned before pushing me out the door, backing away, and closing it.
“Jackson!” I banged on the door. “This is BS! You can’t keep pranking me!”
Nothing.
“I know you can hear me! This works both ways, you demon spawn! I will get you back and really poison your food so that you’re shitting for weeks!”
“Good to see you guys are back to normal,” Jagger interrupted, making me turn around to face him.
“Oh my God, Jagger!” I placed my hand over my heart. “You’re like a ninja. How do you just keep showing up out of nowhere?”
He smiled as I made my way over to him.
“How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to know you’re moving in.”
I stopped. “It’s not like—”
“I know what it’s like. It’s you that doesn’t.”
“You’re like a fortune cookie, care to elaborate?”