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Hope inflates inside me. “For the love of god, please tell me you found a nanny.”
“Indeed I did.” Natalie smiles.
Thank fuck. Relief floods through me. “Live-in?”
“Yes.”
“And she can start immediately?”
Natalie nods. “She meets all of your requirements. The agency said that she can be at your house immediately.”
“Fantastic. Thank you, Natalie.” I stand up with renewed energy and grab the handle of the car seat. “Push my two o’clock. This shouldn’t take long.”
“Already done.” Natalie moves out of the way to let me pass with the car seat, smiling down at my still-crying infant niece. “Aw, sweetheart. I hope you settle down soon.”
Natalie may have sympathy for my crying niece, but I have no doubt that the rest of the office is relieved to see me carry her out of there.
Aria cries on the elevator ride down.
And on the walk through the garage.
And the whole drive home.
My headache persists, Aria’s wailing even more piercing now that we’re trapped together in a car, but knowing that I’m minutes away from handing her over to a trained professional helps me endure the pain. As I pull up in front of my house, I’m full of gratitude for the existence of nannies and my secretary’s ability to secure one that meets my needs.
I cut the engine and climb out of my car, savoring the breath of fresh air I take before opening up the rear door and removing the car seat and its wailing passenger. Aria continues to cry as I carry her into the house and get her unbuckled.
As I’m checking Aria’s diaper again, I hear a car pull up outside. A minute later, there’s a knock on my front door.
Ah, the sweet sound of relief.
With Aria cradled in one arm, I put on an apologetic smile for the nanny—this might be her profession, but I can’t imagine she’s going to be thrilled to be handed a wailing newborn—and pull open my front door.
And there, waiting for me on my front step, is Celeste.
3
CELESTE
Henry Stone is staring at me.
Wait—what? How is this happening?
Henry has ababy?
I gape at my former boss, my mouth open but my mind drawing a complete blank. It’s not just the surprise that has immobilized me; it’s his striking appearance, too. He’s always been a handsome man, but with a soft, squishy little baby in his arm, he’s all the more attractive.
God, I forgot how tall he is. He’s huge.
“Celeste?” he finally says. “What are you doing here?”
His voice ripples through me, the familiar baritone a sound that I’ve perversely missed. When I was Henry’s secretary, he was nothing but a cold and demanding boss, and yet ever since I quit, it feels like there’s been a gaping hole in my life. It’s been a baffling feeling to contend with.
Somehow, I find my voice. “This is what I do now. I’m a nanny.” I focus on the crying baby in his arm. “And who is this?”
“Aria Grace. She’s my sister’s kid.”
A weird little burst of relief releases in my chest. But I’m even more confused now, too. “Janie’s?”
