“Nannies on call, white glove childcare.Whatever you want to call it.”
I pressed a hand to my forehead.“I don’t like the idea of a stranger coming over, no matter how expensive they are.I just…is there anyone you know personally?I would feel better if it was someone you could vouch for.”
“Give me a few minutes.I’ll call you back.”
I gnawed on my lip, cradling the phone in my lap as I waited.Part of me felt like I was overreacting, but another part of me was worried Nash would yank the rug out from underneath me.Maybe we had to reschedule this first event, and then something else would come up for the second or third event.I was only getting paid monthly, so I hadn’t made enough yet to hack it on my own without Nash’s payouts.When would he decide enough was enough?When would he cancel the contract and kick me right back to where I’d started, struggling and sad?
When Nash called back, I hesitated before answering.“Hey again.”
“All right, I have a solution.”Nash’s deep voice made butterflies swarm in my belly.“My housekeeper Marta has a daughter, Carmena.She’s twenty, studies education at NYU, and she has some babysitting clients.She’s available for tonight.What do you think?”
Relief flooded through me so suddenly I nearly started crying.“And you know Carmena personally?”
“I’ve known her for years.Great girl.”
I swallowed hard, my overprotective-single-mom side kicking in.“That makes me feel better.I usually like to vet my babysitters and get to know them over time.It helps Mia too.I don’t think I really have that option tonight though.”
“Why don’t we install some cameras?That way you can check in on Mia whenever you want.”
The suggestion landed softly inside me, immediately wiping away all my anxieties.I hadn’t even considered something like that.Because I was so used to the impossible logistics and cost.
Now I had money, and someone to help me do these things…and think of them in the first place.
Tears returned, but for a different reason this time.
“Yeah.That sounds like a great idea.”
“I’ll have someone come over to set something up for you.And you’ll be getting another delivery within the hour.Some extras I think you’ll love.”
“It’s a busy day at my apartment,” I cracked.“I’ve never had so much activity at my front door, not even that one time I got food delivered for both lunchanddinner.”
“It’s about to get a lot busier.Let me know when you get the next delivery.I’ll plan to pick you up around six.Sound good?”
I glanced at the clock.I had six hours to turn myself from a mediocre mom into a stunning companion worthy of being on Nash’s arm.The pressure was mounting, but the worst part was I didn’t know what awaited me on the other side.
“Who all is going to be at the event tonight?”I blurted.“I mean, should I be expecting celebrities?Commissioners?”
“You’ll probably recognize some people from your previous work in the city planning department,” Nash said.“Beyond that, it’s going to be a mix of realtors, venture capitalists, investors, and other developers like me.”
“But is there really anyone else like Nash Nightingale?”I asked coyly.It was only once the words had left my lips that I realized how flirtatious I’d sounded.
“Some of the attendees tonight hope not.”I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Will any of tonight end up on Page Six?”
“Mmm, doubtful.Though you can never say never.Therewillbe cameras, so be ready for that.”
“I guess we’re hard launching this tonight, Nash.”Excitement fluttered through my chest.
“We are.I only ever bring my brother to these sorts of things, so the few people who don’t want to set me on fire and chase me out of the building will certainly have questions.”
With every word he uttered, I had ten follow-up questions.I could have stayed on the phone with him for hours, prodding him for more details about his life, his career, his everything.But I had things to do.Nails to manicure.Hairstyles to perfect.I was Nash Nightingale’s convenient girlfriend now, which meant I needed to get moving.
Time flies when you’re paying for everything with your boyfriend’s black card.
I repeated that smugly to myself no fewer than ten times as I moved through the rest of my day.Blowout, updo, full makeup, setting spray, manicure, pedicure, daycare pickup, and then back home to receive the never-ending deliveries: interior camera installation, followed by the arrival of a sapphire earring and necklace set that stole my breath.
I hadn’t yet changed into my stunning dress du jour when Carmena arrived.She was exactly what Nash had promised—a college-aged girl with big brown eyes and a genuine smile.She shook my hand and then got down on Mia's level to introduce herself.
