By the time we finish cleaning up after those messy old people, service has already begun. I don’t mind being late, because Pastor Hibbert’s sermons always put me to sleep. Also because it means Ma and I get to sit in one of the open pews near the back, rather than her favorite spot right up front.
The congregation is singing “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” and I take this opportunity to turn my eyes upon Remington Key sitting beside a silver-haired woman who I assume is Eleanor, his mother-in-law. She’s dressed in a pale blue suit, and she looks very formal and strict. She’s vaguely familiar. I’m sure I’ve seen her at one of Ma’s many Bible studies.
Remi’s wearing a tailored brown suit, and now that he’s standing, not sitting on a barstool, I realize he’s tall. He’s also slim, but not skinny. I bet he’s hiding a hot, athletic bod under all that expensive-looking material. A Jamie Dornan in Fifty Shades Freed kind of bod.
I do a quick scan of the backs of heads. Dagwood is here, sitting with his wife Dotty. Mrs. Stern and her son Ralph are behind them. I do a shiver and continue looking, but I don’t see Drew anywhere. Not that I’m surprised.
We’re instructed to sit, and I watch as Remi makes sure Eleanor has everything she needs. What a gentleman. Just before he takes a seat, those hazel eyes sweep the room, and when they meet mine, a shot of adrenaline sizzles in my lower stomach.
A tiny smile curls my lips, and the side of his mouth moves upward. That dimple appears briefly, and I have to shift in my seat. Damn, he is so effing good-looking.
No, I don’t think the F-bomb in church.
Yes, my mom is in my head.
Back to my hot boss… I can’t believe he’s lived here four years. Granted, I don’t make it to church every single Sunday, but hell, I must be sleeping through a lot of sermons. Maybe he misses the Sundays I’m here and vice versa. Yes, that has to be what happens.
His head is turned to the side, and I admire his square jaw as he listens politely to Pastor Hibbert talking about helping others. A few natural highlights are right at the tips of his brown hair. I didn’t notice it in the bar last night, and I bet as soon as he gets a haircut, they’ll be gone. The thought makes me sad.
I tune in for a second, and the verse is about some deaconess who helped the apostles. Finally, the pastor tells us to close our eyes and ask God to help us see people in the community who need a little time, a little friendship, a little faith.
Clearly, this is a direct sign God wants me to accept the job working with Remi. I was meant to see he needs help and offer to give it to him. Mission accepted, God.
The Amens ring out, and we’re on our feet, headed to the door as the organ plays the Doxology. Once we’re outside, I linger on the front lawn, wondering if Remi might want to chat while we’re all here together.
“What are you waiting for?” Ma stops her progress toward the parking lot and walks back to where I stand.
“I’m meeting someone… Do you know Remington Key?”
“Remington?” Her head cocks to the side like a bird.
“Um.. yeah. I’ll explain later.” I don’t really want to go into the details with her. No telling what she’ll say when she hears I’m moving into his house and how much he’s paying me.
Anyway, here he comes, and my heart beats faster. Why the hell am I nervous? I don’t know.
“Thanks for waiting.” He walks quickly to where I’m standing, and thankfully Ma falls silent.
“Hi.” I feel like I’m smiling too big, so I clear my throat and glance down at my black platform shoes. I’m so glad I wore them, since he’s tall. “I thought I might hang around and meet Lillie.”
“Eleanor went to get her from Sunday school.” He reaches up to rub the back of his neck while he looks toward the building running parallel to the sanctuary, and I can almost see that bicep flexing in his arm. “I guess that’s something you could do. If you still want the job, I mean.”
I glance across the lawn at the dozens of children, from toddlers to elementary school-age kids, running out the doors of the other building to meet their parents.
More nerves flutter in my insides. Am I really doing this?
Fifteen thousand dollars, Ruby.
Yes, I am.
“I can do that.” I don’t want to make it seem like I’m not worth it. “It’ll be one of my many tasks.”
Those golden-hazel eyes meet mine, and the flutters turn to butterflies. His eyes graze over my white lace blouse, and I swear I can feel them touching my skin. It’s like he’s undressing me, but carefully, delicately…
It’s fucking hot.
What? We’re on the church lawn.
Blinking away, he pulls a long, white envelope from his breast pocket. “I took some time this morning to write up the contract. You can look over it and bring it back this evening. Once you’ve decided.”