She squirms forward, and I totally remember meeting them six months ago.Holy shit. She was squirming all over him, and I took one look and looked the other way. I could kick myself in the pants. Whatever. We’re here now.
“How do you do, Miss Ruby Banks?” Lillie holds out her little hand, and I squat down to her level to take it.
“Very well, thank you.” I shake her hand, and we both smile. “You’re very polite.”
“My Gigi said good manners show people you care.”
My eyebrows rise, and I glance up at her father. Remi shrugs.
“You’re very smart, too. I bet you make good grades in school.”
The little girl nods. “I do. You’re pretty.” Lillie looks up at her dad. “Is Ruby coming over for a playdate?”
“Ruby might be coming over to stay with us. If that’s okay with you.” He lifts the little girl to his hip again just as Eleanor reaches us.
“Like for a sleepover?” Lillie’s voice is loud, and Eleanor’s face is pure shock.
“I’m sorry. What did I miss?” A fake smile stretches her cheeks, and Eleanor’s voice sounds exactly as I expected it would—old, refined, and a touch bitchy.
She places an elegant hand on the top of her chest as Ma finds her voice as well.
“Ruby?” Her tone makes me wince. “What is he saying?”
“Sorry.” Remi steps forward. “I’m Remington Key.”
Ma takes his hand briefly. “June Banks, Ruby’s mother.” She looks at Eleanor. “We met at the ladies’ auxiliary brunch.”
“Yes,” Eleanor nods. “You’re the church secretary.”
Ma hated that brunch. She talked about it for two days, how the ladies there were not very Christlike. I never knew exactly what she meant, but now I think I have an idea with the way Eleanor sayssecretary. Like it’s a dirty word.
What she doesn’t know is just because my mom is tight-fisted and works as the church secretary, she has a shit-ton of money socked away. Still, even though my dad made us wealthy, Ma never allowed us to act materialistic or better than anyone. To her, valuing people simply because of how much money is in their bank account is as bad as lying.
“Remington.” Eleanor touches her son-in-law’s arm. “What is going on here?”
Remi’s eyes meet mine, and I swear in that moment, the decision is made. “Why don’t we discuss it over lunch.”
I follow his lead, taking my mom by the arm. “Come on, Ma. I’ll tell you everything over dumplings.”
“I made Sundubu-jjigae,” She is not amused, and I know she didn’t miss a thing.
“Sounds great.” I love her spicy tofu soup. “I’ll fill you in at home.”
Elegant bowls of steaming brown soup sit in front of us, and the Asian Inquisition continues. “A babysitting job?” Disgust permeates her tone.
“A full-time nanny position.” I have the contract out on the table beside my bowl, and I’m quickly scanning the list of duties. It’s exactly what he said they would be. “I’ll take care of his daughter, basically like her mother would.”
“You are not her mother.” She spoons the soup, keeping her eyes on mine. “What about your work at the clinic?”
“I’ve been there almost a year.” My lips tighten, and I say what I haven’t even told Drew yet. “I’m not sure I like the work.”
She accepts this, lifting her chin after she takes another bite. “Still, childcare is a step down.”
Nodding, I eat some of my own lunch. “Normally, I’d agree with you, but this is different, bigger than just babysitting, and he’s paying me a lot of money.” That yearning is in my chest again. It makes me feel like I can’t breathe. “I’ll actually be able to pay my own bills. I can get my own place. After all, I can’t live with you forever.”
I add the last bit with a laugh, but Ma emphatically objects. “Nonsense! I lived with my parents until I married your father.”
“You were twenty-one when you married Dad.”
