Perhaps we could start small, like with a fish.
“So, what’s the plan, Flo?” my sister asks after a conversation I’ve been tuning in and out of, sending me a questionable look, which I ignore.
“When it comes to what?”
“You know… staying here. Have you enjoyed it?”
Flo responds with a slow, thoughtful nod, eyes flitting in my direction. “I have. I really like this part of the city. It’s quiet.”
“And you like me!” Leo bellows.
“And I like you, Leo, yes.” She’s grinning now, blues so bright they look like they belong on an artist’s palette.
Gracie laughs, which isn’t something she does overly often. My sister is a strong and guarded person, and it takes her a long time to warm up to new people, but I can already tell she likes Flo, which is frustrating as fuck because I don’t think there’s anyone on the planet who could meet Flo and decide they don’t like her.
Gracie glances back and forth between her and me, eyes slimming in suspicion. “Okay, judging by my brother’s face, you two haven’t spoken about how this has gone yet.”
I immediately stop chewing, setting my cutlery down. I turn to Leo, who’s kicking his legs with boredom, fork at rest. “You finished, buddy?”
He nods. “Want to play superheroes?”
A humoured grin spreads across my face, and even though my body is screaming at me to take an ice bath and not move for the next week because of the hits I’ve been taking during training, there’s no way I’m going to say noto my son, who I haven’t seen all day. “Sure, go get your costume on. I’ll join you in a minute.”
Once Leo bolts from the room, I clear my throat. Coach will definitely put a personal bounty on me if I don’t hire Flo. And my son likes her, so what kind of father would I be to take this opportunity from him, only to hire another uninterested nanny I’ll never call back and who Leo will never have a connection with?
Sure, Flo makes my dick twitch, but I can keep that under wraps for a couple of months, and then she can leave, and I can find someone else to care for Leo, who I won’t be attracted to in the slightest.
Gracie slips away, muttering something about letting us have this conversation alone, but I barely hear her, my eyes glued to Flo, who’s already collecting the plates and placing them into the dishwasher.
“You don’t have to do that. I’m here.”
“And so am I. It’s not a big deal, Evan. I’m just helping. Say what you want to say. Either you want me to take care of Leo for the summer, or you don’t. I’m a big girl, I can take it.”
My mind takes a very inappropriate detour, and it makes my nostrils flare as she breaks out into a smile, realising how what she just said sounded like the world’s fattest innuendo. A part of me wonders if she said it on purpose just to get under my skin.
I was hoping she’d do something to mess this up. You know, I’d come home to find my cabin trashed with agroup of her wild and reckless friends all drinking and smoking. But she hasn’t shown me anything but what I want to see from a nanny.
I hear Leo’s squeal of excitement coming from the living room, and I sigh.
I don’t want to accept help. I want to prove to people I don’t need to hire anyone to get through this, but I’m drowning here. Being this protective of Leo isn’t going to help anyone, especially not him, and I need to understand that I can’t bubble-wrap the kid.
I have no other option.
Taking a deep, defeated sigh, I ask the question I’ve been dreading. “Fine, as much as it kills me to ask you, how would you feel about being Leo’s nanny? It’ll be temporary until you leave for this trip you think you’re doing, or we find someone permanent beforehand. I assume this isn’t something you see yourself doing forever, nor is that something we both want. You’ll be paid well, and I’ll make sure you get a decent amount of time off for hobbies and friends.”
Getting the words out is tough. I’ve never had to say this before. I’ve never actually offered anyone the job.But soon enough, I’ll go through every nanny there is in the entire state of Montana, so I need to let go of my need for control for just a little bit to keep Coach Darrell and Peter happy. Just one more season of this. Then, no more nannies.
Flo lets out a soft hum, jutting her hips out. “I assume you’re asking me because you’re excited about having me nanny Leo, not because you have nobody else?”
I don’t respond, allowing my silence to answer the question we both know the answer to. The truth is, she’s great with my kid, and I can’t fault her for it. But if I had my way right now, she’d leave my house and would never come back.
“I’d love to be his nanny, but I expect at least one hundred dollars an hour, plus a bonus at the end for putting up with you and your moods.”
“If that’s your rate.” There’s no ounce of hesitation in my voice, and I pull out my phone. “Give me your details so I can pay you. I need to give you some for the few days you’ve already done anyway.”
Flo holds out her hands in shock, shaking her head from side to side. “What? No, I was just kidding.”
“Leo’s happiness doesn’t have a price, Flo. If you want one hundred dollars an hour, I can make that happen, no problem.” I hold my palm out flat and curl my fingers upwards. “Details. Give them to me.”
