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little weird.”
    “I’ve just been hired.”
    “That’s awesome!” Mary walked over and slapped her a high-five. “Where?”
    “At Richard’s.”
    “You took the nanny job?”
    Ventura nodded, still dumbstruck. It had all happened so fast she could scarcely believe it herself.
    “When do you start?”
    “On Monday.”
    “That’s great! We’ll have to celebrate.”
    “Did I hear someone say celebrate?” Nanette asked, tottering down the stairs in platform sandals.
    Ventura and Mary shared frightened looks.
    “What a wonderful coincidence that is! My cousin Frank has a nice young nephew in town.” Ventura’s mouth hung open as Mary grimaced, seconds before Nanette appeared in a poodle skirt and tiny tank top. “He and his friend Charles are Capitol Hill interns. Imagine that. We’re practically neighbors.”
    “Imagine,” Mary said, blinking at Ventura.
    “Trying not to,” Ventura said under her breath.
    Nanette studied them both with an affectionate grin. “Naturally, I told Frank you’d show the boys around.”

    Cherry trees and dogwoods lined the Tidal Basin reflecting the Jefferson Memorial as the sun rose high above the water. Ventura and Mary shared a paddleboat as two toned blonds, Charles and Wally, commandeered another. The guys smiled and waved, tipping their visors in the girls’ direction.
    Ventura stared at them in awe. “I have to hand it to Nanette. This time, she didn’t mess up.”
    “I know. Amazing. Right?” Mary grinned and waved back. “Which one do you like best?”
    “They’re both really cute.”
    “You choose.”
    Just then, Ventura spotted a hunky, dark-haired man strolling along the path with two gorgeous children in tow, a boy and a girl who both looked to be about five years old. The man moved with confidence and the easy grace of a guy in charge of himself, not to mention his rock-hard body. “I’ll take him,” she said a bit wistfully.
    Mary gripped her arm and whispered, “Oh my gosh, Ventura. It’s him. ”
    “Who?”
    “Richard!”
    Ventura lowered her prescription sunglasses to get a clearer view, seeing Mary was right. It was Richard, no doubt, dressed in khaki slacks and a crisp white polo, buying his two adorable children ice cream from a kiosk vendor.
    “You’ve got it made in the shade working for that dude.”
    “Can’t beat the view,” Ventura said with a sigh.
    “Do you think he sees us?”
    “No, and let’s keep it that way. When I meet his kids on Monday, I want to present myself professionally.”
    As they spoke, Wally and Charles drew their boat up beside them. “You girls about ready for our picnic?”
    Ventura scanned the shore to spy Richard and his kids nowhere in sight. “Sounds fine.”
    “I’m starved,” Mary agreed.
    Charles gave Ventura a warm smile. “Great. Let’s head back to the dock, then, and throw a blanket down somewhere.”
    “So much for our choosing,” Mary said as they turned their boat around.
    “What do you mean?” Ventura asked her.
    “I think Charles has a thing for you.”
    “Really?” Ventura asked, fingering her flat-ironed hair.
    “You do look dynamite in those short shorts.”
    Ventura studied her thighs and the way they pudged out sideways on the seat of the boat. “They might be a bit too short.”
    “No way! You, girlfriend, look smoking hot. And don’t think someone hasn’t noticed,” she said, angling her chin at the boat up ahead as Charles kept trying to sneak peeks at Ventura over his shoulder.
    Before she knew it, they were back at the dock and the boys had already disembarked. “Here,” Charles said to Ventura, playing the gentleman, “give me your hand.”
    Ventura stood unsteadily as the small craft rocked. Taking his hand was probably a good idea. It was going to be a little tricky climbing out of here, especially in these thigh-high shorts and with—- what ?— Richard walking right toward her! Ventura made a sudden shift, and her wet sneaker squeaked on the