My clothes were hung neatly in the closet and the dresser was full of my perfumes and skin oils. My bags and shoes remained in their boxes until I was certain I’d be staying. Then I’d stock my closet accordingly.
Since I knew Alexis hated me, I knew my outfit had to make her want to vomit. I was pretty good about killing her with my fashion game but today, I wanted to make it extra special.
I stood in the modest walk-in closet and tapped my chin while surveying my options.
Then it hit me.
Alexis constantly called me nanny, so why not play the part? My style senses tingled as I flopped on the cushy bed and pulled up my Pinterest board full of Fran Drescher outfits.
Don’t judge. She was a 90’s fashion icon.
When I scrolled past Fran wearing a red turtleneck with a black and white checkerboard skirt, I gasped. That was it. I had a long-sleeved red shirt that wasn’t a turtleneck but it hugged my body and I had a black and white checkerboard skirt.
Bingo, bitch.
My red shirt showed midriff but it was cute as fuck and it hit the nail on the head. If Alexis wanted to call me nanny like it was my name, I was going to be the motherfucking nanny. I let my high puff down and spritzed my curls with rose water then I did my makeup and picked out a pair of chunky red Balenciaga heels that were sure to pull the rest of my outfit together.
“Xari! Breakfast is ready!” Frankie called upstairs. I spritzed myself with Baccarat Rouge 540 then hurried down the steps.
I fully expected to see Evander sitting at the breakfast table like he usually does when he’s home from work but he was nowhere to be found. My curiosity got the best of me.
“Where’s your dad?”
“He’s probably getting dressed.” Frankie shrugged her shoulders and handed me a plate of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. I noticed she tried to give me the best-looking pancakes. I smiled a little and pulled her in for a squeeze.
“This looks so good! You did an amazing job, Frankie.”
“Thanks. I know the pancakes are ugly but…”
“Girl…please shut up. I make ugly pancakes all the time. You’re hung up on the wrong thing.”
“I know it’s stupid but it’s bothering me. Like…pancakes are the simplest things to make and I can’t figure out how to perfect them. I’m letting you know, if you hear me down here making pancakes at midnight, I’m trying to get them perfect.” Her brows were scrunched together and her nose crinkled with a determined frown.
I knew that look…
I stared at Frankie for an extra beat then sat down with my plate. She kept glancing toward the doorway with expectation in her brown eyes. Finally, I asked what she was waiting for.
“I’m trying not to call Daddy down here. I want him to walk in and see the plate of food but he’s taking so damn long to get dressed.” She sat beside me and fidgeted in her seat. She didn’t want to touch her food until Evander sat with us. “You can eat, Xari. I’m just being extra.” She rested her chin on her fist and pushed her lips out.
I popped a few pieces of fruit in my mouth while I scrolled my phone then I groaned. “I didn’t plug my phone in last night.” I showed her my red battery bar and she eyed me sympathetically. “I’ll be right back, okay?” She nodded then started scrolling on her phone.
I dashed upstairs and went straight to Evander’s room. I knocked then turned the knob and walked in. “Xari, what the hell?” He frowned at me.
My lips parted, ready to speak but my brain was locked onto Evander’s sculpted granite muscles hiding beneath the white undershirt molded to his pectorals.
He was partially dressed. His button-up shirt hung open, showing me pieces of the tattoos on his chest. I was beyond curious about what other artwork he had. So curious that my palms itched to slide across his golden skin.
The navy blue pants he wore hugged his strong legs just enough to let me know he didn’t miss leg day. His belt was simple, black, and understated but I knew it was expensive by the stitching. Right then it didn’t even matter how much the belt cost, it was the way Evander wore it. It was the way he wore everything.