been too simple. She needed to learn a lesson.
I stewed for weeks before the opportunity to stay here fell right into my lap. The plan was to take my time with her, to spend the entire summer slowly driving her mad. But we might need to speed this along, and I know exactly what to do.
I grab my phone off the nightstand and open Instagram, my stomach churning with resentment as I scroll through our messages. This girl seemed so innocent and sweet, nothing like the malicious brat behind it all.
She should’ve known better. There was never a chance she’d beat me at this game.
10:45 PM
Hey, stranger.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins as my message goes through. Seconds later, the little seen pops up underneath it. Those three little dots flash on the screen before disappearing again, and I chuckle. She isn’t sure if she should take the bait, but she wants to.
This is going to get very interesting.
Chapter Five
6 years old
GWEN
Lydia hums in the kitchen while she cooks, and I smile watching her. It smells amazing. She said she’s making Cole’s favorite dish tonight. Something called a casserole. I’ve never heard of that before. My momma doesn’t cook. Someone else always makes our food. She’s a dancer, not a real momma like Lydia.
Cole walks into the room, and it feels like butterflies are flying around in my tummy. He’s the cutest boy I’ve ever seen.
“What’s the princess doing here?” he asks his mom, a frown on his face as he looks me over.
The butterflies in my belly stop fluttering their wings, and I fight the urge to stick my tongue out at him. Technically this is still my house. They moved into our guest suite a month ago, but he acts like I’m the one who doesn’t belong here.
The suite is located on the bottom floor of the house. It’s basically a small apartment with a tiny kitchen, living area, and two bedrooms. One for Lydia and one for Cole.
He told me this is the first time they’ve had separate rooms since his father died.
That just breaks my heart. I can’t imagine losing my daddy. When I tried to tell Cole how sorry I was before giving him a hug, he got angry and didn’t talk to me for days.
Boys are so weird.
Now, Lydia glares at her son over her shoulder. “Be nice,” she tells him, and I smirk as she turns back around. “Gwen’s parents have an event downtown and are going to be staying overnight. I thought it would be nice for her to stay with us here tonight.”
Cole groans, his eyes rounding. “Stay the night? With us?”
Lydia giggles. “Yes, like a slumber party. Gwen brought her sleeping bag. We’re going to watch movies and make cookies. It’ll be fun.”
“Slumber parties are for girls,” he whines, crossing his arms.
“I’m making chicken noodle crunch for dinner,” Lydia croons.
“And I’ll let you pick the movie,” I add.
He might not be very nice to me sometimes, but I don’t want him hiding in his room all night. I want him to be my friend. Mom and dad are busy with work all the time. It’s lonely never having anyone to hang out with. My other nannies weren’t nice like Lydia, and I’ve never had a kid to play with before.
When Lydia asked if I wanted to stay in here with them tonight, I was so excited. There aren’t a lot of kids who like me at school. No one has ever invited me to a sleepover before.
“Fine,” he relents. “But y’all aren’t painting my nails or anything crazy.”
Something wakes me in the middle of the night, and it takes me a minute to remember where I am. It’s chilly, and the sleeping bag wrapped around me on the couch in the living room of the guest suite isn’t nearly warm enough. That must be what woke me up.
The dark silence in the unfamiliar room causes my heart to beat faster. I squeeze my eyes shut again as they start playing tricks on me, turning every shadow into a monster. It was a bad idea letting Cole pick out the movie. Of course he picked out something scary. Coraline is going to give me nightmares for months.
My hands are shaky as I slide out of my sleeping bag. Once it’s off, I pry my eyes open. Cole’s bedroom door is only a few steps away. Maybe I can sneak in there without him noticing.
I bounce off the couch and practically run to