“Absolutely. I’m totally free. Just tell me what you need, and I’m there. Sophie’s talked a lot about Lilah, and I’d be lucky to meet her.”
He is still just staring at me. It unnerves me.
He clears his throat, then leans forward, resting his lightly clasped hands on the table.
“I don’t like a lot of screen time. We usually do a little TV after breakfast and sometimes a movie before bed. With the weather warming up, I want Lilah outside as much as possible, staying active. She doesn’t nap anymore, so she’ll be a handful. I’ll need you to feed her lunch and a couple of snacks. I’ll handle breakfast before I leave and dinner when I get home. She’s a very energetic four-year-old and needs a lot of attention.
For the occasional late nights on the weekends, I’ll need you to handle dinner, bath, and bedtime. There’s a guest room down the hall you can use on those nights, so you don’t have to drive home in the middle of the night.”
Sophie already told me all of that, so I’m not surprised by his conditions.
“Are you positive you can handle all of that?”
I blink. His tone implies Iwouldn’tbe able to handle all of that. I tell myself it’s just his due diligence. He’s hiring someone to care for his child, and that’s got to be a lot to consider, and must take a lot of trust. Maybe I’m still a little sensitive after losing my job.
With that thought, my shoulders lose some of their tension. I’m glad he’s being so particular about her care. I give him a genuine smile this time. “Absolutely, I can.”
4
Wes
How the hell do I get out of this?
When Sophie vouched for her friend from work, never in a million years did I expect the woman sitting across from me. She’s wide-eyed and smiling at me expectantly, waiting for my decision like she didn’t just flip my whole plan on its head.
Her pale green eyes are big and framed by thick, dark lashes. Freckles trail along the bridge of her nose and continue out onto her cheeks. Her dark hair looks almost black, but with the bright sun shining through the cafe’s window, I can tell it’s more mahogany. It’s long, wavy, and absolutely not what I should be thinking about while interviewing her to be Lilah’s nanny.
I’ve heard about her through my sister and parents before, and I know she’s been to dinner at the house a couple times. Sophie and her have been friends for a couple years, but I had just assumed—incorrectly—that she was a middle-aged woman. I thought maybe she had a few grown kids. I did not prepare for this.
Why didn't Sophie tell me she wasn’t a middle-aged woman with kids?
Am I really irritated that my sister didn’t tell me her friend, who she swore up and down would be the best nanny for my daughter, was hot? Yeah, I am.
It’s fucked up. I’m very aware.
When she waved me down as I entered the cafe, I almost didn’t believe it was her. Maybe she thought I was someone else. But then she stood up, slipped her slim hand in mine, gave it a strong-as-hell shake, and confirmed my fears. Her soft skin met mine, and I was lit on fire in the blink of an eye.
Ivy.
The fact that just her name sounds and feels right is an immediate concern.
I haven’t had sex in a very long time. That's all it is. I mentally try to calculate the number of months it’s been since the last time—and come up short. The fact that I can’t even remember is a clear indication of why I’m thinking this way.
Maybe it was when I did that guest spot in Chicago?
My life doesn’t allow time for a relationship. And from the few one-night stands I’ve had, none of them have ever made me feel this on edge. Not this fast.
Then, to top this shit-show off, I introduced myself asWesley. Followed by me stuttering and correcting myself. Nobody calls me Wesley, not even my mom. I’m Wes and have been since I was a kid. Wesley is my government name only, so why did I introduce myself that way?
I drum my fingers on the table and look out the window to my left, doing my best to look anywhere but at her. This is so fucked.
“Let’s do a trial basis,” I say on a sigh. “Two weeks.”
I know I’m being rude, but not looking directly at her will help me and my dick keep their cool.
“I want you to meet Lilah, give you a tour of the house and property, and make sure we can work well together before I commit to anything.”
“Of course. I’d be concerned if you didn’t want a trial basis.”
