“I know, but for right now, she doesn’t know you have a secret hairstylist weapon. Let’s do this!”
Cara brightened for the first time that day and stood up. “Okay, but I’m not completely sure this is going to work.”
Jessica winked at her. “Well, we can always get some crackers and have a snack if I’m wrong.”
***
“And the two of us are sitting down at this twenty-seat table why?” Jessica asked, even as Cecile and a few other staff members placed trays on the table. They were sterling silver, and Jessica had to wonder what kind of pompous dinner rules Donald Sanderson had set out for his family. “I need to get back home, and I shouldn’t… I just work for your dad. I’m sure your grandpa wouldn’t want me eating dinner at the fancy dining table.”
Translation: I’m just the help.
Cara pulled out her own chair and placed a napkin on her lap. “First, Grandpa is in New York for the next few days for some business conference. I know you don’t like him, so you don’t have to worry about him showing up.” She ran her hand through her still damp hair. “Second, you made me feel a lot better. Today really sucked, and I just feel better when you’re around. Dad’s sometimes late for dinner ‘cause of all the traffic. Would you eat with me?”
Jessica bit her lip. She didn’t want to come off as unprofessional or taking advantage of any situation. She was sure that Cecile didn’t get to eat with the family on the fancy plates or Danny or anyone else for that matter. At the same time, Cara had clearly had two exceptionally shitty days, and if it made the girl feel better until Brent came home, then that had to be okay, didn’t it?
“Sure, but if your dad gets back and wants me to go… I know that the nannies probably don’t eat with you normally.”
“I haven’t had a nanny before. I usually just do after-school programs until Grandpa’s at least home. This is a new thing my teacher said I needed.”
“Oh,” Jessica said, not sure how to take that. There had to be more reputable agencies to go through. She shouldn’t worry about it, but part of her wondered if there was more truth to Donald Sanderson’s innuendo than either she or Brent wanted to admit. “Well, if I ever do anything that’s not allowed, let me know.”
Cara snorted. “You helped me get a cool haircut on your first day and saved it the second. I don’t think you could do something wrong!”
“You’d be surprised.” Then, Jessica pulled the silver dome off the platter. Wrinkling up her nose, she couldn’t help but also arch an eyebrow at Cara. “All this for a veggie supreme pizza?”
Cara shrugged. “Grandpa has all these rules. When he travels, Cecile still has to do them. Dad and I have said a lot that they can relax more, but it’s always on silver and super fancy. But Cecile does make the best pizza, way better than, like, Dominos. Do you want anything else?” Cara pulled the dome over the second platter to reveal a second pizza brimming with pepperoni. “Dad is totally into meat.”
“I think I’ll stick with the veggie.”
“Cool,” Cara said, taking a big bite of pepperoni for herself. “I mean it though. Thank you. You made it better. Mom always knew how to make things better, and Dad and Grandpa try, but it’s different.”
“Maybe you just need a change of scene. You know what we could do this weekend? We could go to the San Diego Zoo. It’s amazing, and I think you’d really love it.”
“I’ve been there, but not since I was about eight for a school trip. I’d love to go,” Cara said.
“Good,” Jessica said, then blushed. “I mean, unless I’m going too far and if your dad’s home, then you can go with him. I don’t want to overstep.”
“Overstep what?” Brent’s voice called out.
She turned in time to see Cara bound out of her chair and hug her dad. The way he spun her around and patted her head was endearing. It also was nice to see Cara smile genuinely after such a long day and more than a few tears over the bathroom sink.
“Dad!” Cara said. “Jessica wants to go to the zoo on Saturday. Can we?”
Brent stilled for a moment and then looked directly at her. “Actually, that sounds good. There’s a break for filming this weekend because of an award show our lead is attending. I’d love to see the zoo with you, sweetheart. And you’re welcome to come too, Jessica. Maybe get a taste of a full day with Cara before summer starts.”
“I understand if you’re busy, Brent. I don’t want to take up your time.”