take a deep breath and pray I can keep my composure. Suddenly, my body is a live wire. Alert. Ready. I’m just like that mama tiger, desperate to protect her cub. The only difference is that I’m trying to protect this baby from his own mother.
God grant me the serenity to not pounce on this woman.
As Natasha Healey walks into the room, I suddenly realize that I’ve never seen a picture of her. I’m not at all prepared for the supermodel who walks in, dressed in a designer suit without a hair out of place. There’s a man by her side that I can only assume is her attorney.
“Hello, Natasha,” Jackson says, squeezing my hand.
But she’s not looking at him. She’s not even looking at me. She’s looking at the living room, with the toys in the corner and the coloring books on the end table.
Then, she finally looks at me.
I offer my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Natasha.”
With a smirk, she eyes me from head to toe. I’m sure she’s offended by my hoodie and jeans. Ask me if I care.
Ignoring me completely, she walks over to the leather chair and plops down, making herself at home. Jackson sighs and leads me back to the couch. The two attorneys huddle in the corner, whispering.
Probably placing bets on which of us would come out of this alive.
Finally, Marcus gives me a wink before heading over to the desk. He opens his laptop. Her attorney finds a seat, too, and becomes very interested in his phone.
“Natasha,” Jackson says, “don’t you think you should say hello?”
But she says nothing. She just stares at our joined hands.
“You two are quite cozy, aren’t you?”
“Natasha . . .” her attorney tries to warn her, but she gives him a look so cold that he snaps his mouth shut and returns to his phone.
“You’re my husband,” she says.
“Hopefully not for much longer,” Jackson says. “And, need I remind you that you are the one who left me?”
“I don’t flaunt my relationship in your face.”
“I wouldn’t care if you did.” Jackson shrugs. “But this visit isn’t about our marriage. You’re here to meet Ryder’s nanny. Don’t let your petty jealousy ruin it. You want this arrangement to work, don’t you? You want visitation, right?”
Natasha’s cold eyes never leave my face. I hold her gaze, refusing to let this woman intimidate me.
“Hello, Olivia. Let’s get some things straight.”
Her voice grates on my nerves, and suddenly, I’m thankful that Jackson’s holding my hand. It’s the only thing keeping me from slapping her.
“Fine. Let’s do that.”
“Ryder is my child. Jackson is my husband. You are just the nanny.”
All of that’s true, except for the last part. Even she knows I’m more than just the nanny. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be here.
“Ryder is mine, and as soon as this divorce is final, he will be living with me. Full time. I don’t care if you are sleeping with my husband. Ryder belongs with me. He will never call you Mommy. Got it?”
That does it.
“Gentleman, would you please give us a few moments alone?”
I feel Jackson’s body stiffen next to me.
“Absolutely not,” he says.
“Please. Natasha and I need to talk, and we don’t need referees.”
Suddenly, Marcus is by my side. “Olivia, I really have to advise against this. I can’t take notes if I’m not in the room, and we need the notes for the judge.”
“I’m not asking permission. Please go to the study. All of you.”
Sighing heavily, Jackson stands up and asks the men to follow him. Marcus groans and grabs his laptop. I can hear him arguing with Jackson in the hallway until the door finally closes.
“Impressive,” Natasha says with a smirk. “I’m surprised he didn’t ask how high when you told him to jump.”
I don’t take the bait. Instead, I stand up slowly, making my way across the room. Her gaze follows me, growing a little wider as I approach her.
“I thought we should talk, Natasha. Just us girls.”
She laughs shakily.
She’s nervous. Good.
“I don’t do girl talk, especially with tramps like you.”
Very slowly, I place my hands on the arms of her chair and lean down. I hover over her, and Natasha slinks down. I’m gratified to see her eyes flicker nervously around the room.
“First of all, I’m not the one having an affair. So shut your mouth.”
She raises her hand, and for a second, I think she’s going to slap me.
“Go ahead. Hit me. But be prepared, because I promise I will hit you back.”
She gasps softly, and her