She practically rolls her eyes at me. “Because he’s my father.”
“I didn’t realize you went to visit him so regularly,” I quickly amend.
“Before I came here, I’d go a few times a week.”
“Oh.” A twinge of guilt hits me that I’m keeping her from her ill father. That I’m keeping her here at all. I all but coerced her into this job over a bust I care nothing for, though I can’t seem to regret that decision now. “Do you need to go more often?”
She shakes her head, and a sadness I haven’t seen on her before hits her face. “No. He doesn’t remember when I come or when I don’t. Sometimes I agitate him because he’s not quite sure who I am. I speak to him on the phone when I can’t go visit him.”
“That has to be…rough.” I swallow, regaining my composure. “Javier will drive you.”
Now she smirks at me. “I know. I already spoke with him about it.”
“Then why are you bothering to tell me?”
“So you don’t wonder where I am and if I escaped when you can’t find me.”
“I doubt I would have noticed your absence until Monday when you’re to attend to the children.”
She lets out a mirthless laugh, folding her arms over her chest. “Ouch. Still don’t like me then?”
“More like indifferent to you.”
A wicked gleam hits her eyes. “I think we both know that’s not true.”
I turn and walk away from her at that. I can’t let her flirt with me now. Because if she does, I’ll flirt back, and then I’ll kiss her. I know I will. I’ve wanted to do little else since I found her in the kitchen baking with my children. Before that, even.
“Do you mind if I go over to your library?” she asks, haltingmy steps before I reach my door. “I’m not tired yet. It’s still early.”
Reluctantly I turn back around. “You’re asking my permission?”
She shifts her stance, worrying her lip a bit between her teeth. “Yes. You didn’t seem to like me reading that book in your study the first day we met.”
“The book wasn’t what I didn’t like.”
“Double ouch. Okay. Fine. I get it. You still don’t like me, though I think this is more about your stubbornness than it is about me. What I’m asking is, are you going to flip out if I pick through your massive library of books?”
“I might.”
“Since we both know you won’t be sleeping anytime soon, why don’t you come with me and make sure I don’t touch anything I shouldn’t?”
Because if I come with you, I might be the one to touch something I shouldn’t.
As if reading my mind, she follows that up with, “Unless you’re afraid to be alone with me.”
Yes. Very afraid. “Of course not.” Because I can’t say the truth. “It’s simply not my favorite activity.”
“With your warm and fuzzy disposition, I can say the feeling is mutual. That said, do you think we can get over that tonight? Just for a bit?”
“I’m sure I can manage.”
“Excellent. Do you mind if I change quickly out of this outfit?”
Again, yes. “I’ll wait.”
She grins at me. “You can change too, you know. You don’t always have to be so formal wearing a suit.”
“Fine. I’ll meet you out here in five minutes.” Before she can reply with something else that will have me all twisted up, I go into my bedroom and shut the door. And lock it, because Iwouldn’t put anything past her. Wouldn’t be the first time a nanny tried something.
