“No,” I said firmly. “Not before lunch.”
“Oh, come on,” Sierra said.
I narrowed my eyes at her.
Sierra ignored me and spoke to Gina. “Give me a second, and I’ll get you the record.”
There was no one else in the shop that morning, so we had the place to ourselves. I desperately wanted to tell Sierra about everything that happened this weekend. It wasn’t a conversation to be told through text. And Gina would be busy dancing in a few moments so we could quickly chat.
Sierra came around the counter, waving one hand out at her side to air dry the nail polish.
Something crinkled, and I saw Sierra slip Gina one of the lollies.
I gritted my teeth. At least I was sticking firmly to my answer.
After setting up the record for Gina, Sierra went back to the counter, and I leaned against it, watching Gina.
“I said no candy,” I said to her.
“But I’m the fun one,” she said with a wink.
I rolled my eyes.
“How did your weekend turn out?” Sierra asked. “I couldn’t believe I was stuck here both days. I’m going to have a chat with Harold about the schedule.”
“It was interesting,” I said. Sierra raised an eyebrow. I pushed on, determined to get it out before the song was over. Gina could not repeat any of this to Noah. “Apparently, Noah had a terrible time with Kimberly.”
Sierra snorted. “I could have told you that. She’s an airhead.”
“Anyway, so he came home, and we shared a bottle of wine. And then we, um, you know.”
Sierra leaned against the other side of the counter and brought her face close to mine. “Don’t tell me you—?” She made an inappropriate gesture.
I glanced over my shoulder to make sure that Gina didn’t see it. “Yeah.”
“Holy shit,” Sierra hissed. “You had sex with Noah?”
I buried my head in my hands. “Yes. And it was so weird afterward. I left like immediately after. I almost regret doing it.”
“Why? You needed this. And you like him.”
“It’s complicated with him being my boss and all,” I said. She didn’t understand that if things went sour, I’d never be able to see Gina again. And that hurt almost as much as me never seeing Noah again.
“It’s obvious he likes you,” she’d said. “You even said he’s not the type to hit it and quit it.”
I never used those exact words, but she was right. “It was so awkward this morning, but at least I’m keeping my job. For now.”
“He’s not going to fire you,” she said. “He has eyes and knows that you and Gina are a perfect pair.”
“So, what do I do about it?” I asked.
“Whatever you want. If it were me, I would keep it going. He’s into you, and you’re into him. Why not be that naughty nanny I always knew you were?”
I swatted at her. “I’m serious.”
“I am too.”
“You don’t think it’s a bad idea to get involved with him? What if something happens and I lose my job?”