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“Wow… that’s some commitment to your friendship,” I drawl. “All five of you?”
The men look at one another, and Flint clears his throat. “Alexandra lived here.”
“Ryker met her here,” Pike adds, speaking curtly. There’s a small, uncomfortable silence I don’t understand, but I don’t break it.
“Sometimes, you don’t have family you can rely on,” Caden says. “You have to make your own.”
“We were family. The only family Alex and Ryker knew,” Pike interjects angrily and rises abruptly to pace the room. “And now we’re Lily’s family.”
I stare at him, the impassioned speech disturbing me. No one suggested otherwise, but the unconventional relationship still needs clarification.
“We were awarded guardianship of Lily when they passed,” Flint continues, casting Pike a warning look. “As per their last will and testament. At first, we minded her in our own houses with a consistent nanny to watch over her, moving her from household to household, but it quickly became apparent that it would not work that way for long. She was going to ask questions and needed more stability.”
“So you all moved in together?” I’m awed by the devotion they have to the little girl, my heart twitching at the story. They really loved Alexandra and Ryker.
I’ve never known that kind of support from anyone.
“It’s the only way it makes sense to raise a girl growing so quickly,” Caden explains, sounding slightly defensive about my question. “She’s still young now, but soon, she’ll be questioning everything.”
“I think it’s selfless and wonderful. You’ve all sacrificed a lot to care for her,” I blurt out honestly. All three men gawk at me. “May I ask what happened to the previous nanny?” I venture timidly, hoping I’m not pushing my luck.
“Sonia is at least eighty,” Caden snorts with amusement. “She should have retired twenty years ago.”
“She was mine and my brother’s nanny,” Flint adds dryly, and I’m not sure if he’s joking or not. I decide not to ask.
“Oh.” Mrs. Burgess at the agency didn’t mention that part. Maybe she didn’t know.
“This job will not have regular hours, Ms. Palco,” Pike tells me. I shift my attention toward him and realize he’s stopped pacing to look out at one of the three arched windows overlooking the luscious, sprawling yard. “You’re to be with Lily always.”
Swallowing, I come to terms with the reality of the live-in position. But given the distance, it would have to be. On the other hand, the salary would be well worth entertaining the notion, even though I’m not entirely sure what it is yet. With a real estate mogul, renowned artist, and doctor signing the checks, I’m already counting the dollar signs in my head. And they’re dollars I desperately need.
“Just call me Aspen,” I remind them, sensing that Pike will be the hardest to win over in this threesome. “And I am fully dedicated to all the children in my care. Lily will be my priority.”
“We know,” Flint replies for him. “We’ve had you checked out.”
Blood drains from my face as my head whips back toward him. “W-what do you mean?”
“The agency sent over your file for reference. You have glowing recommendations from your two previous positions, and we ran a background check on you.”
I exhale, avoiding their eyes.
If that’s all they looked into, I’m okay. If they find out about the other stuff, I’m so screwed.
I gulp. “Oh, yes. Of course. I was going to suggest you call my former employers.”
“There’s nothing other people can tell us that we can’t glean for ourselves,” Caden says, sitting up straighter. “I don’t think we need to go through with much more of an interview process. Lily likes you. I like you. Gentlemen?”
My cheeks are burning by the way Caden puts his companions on the spot, but to my surprise, both men appear in agreement. Even Pike doesn’t hesitate.
“The demands of this job will be endless,” Pike warns again, and I wonder if he’s trying to scare me off.
“I’m not afraid of hard work,” I promise, rubbing my open palms over my skirt. “I welcome it.”
“Good. Let’s discuss your salary then,” Flint interjects, again offering Pike a dirty look. He removes a card from the breast pocket of his blue button-down shirt and hands it to me.
There’s a true sign of old money, I muse. Never discuss amounts out in the open.
This trick I recognize from my time among the wealthy. Leaning forward to accept the card, I gasp aloud when I read the amount printed in bold, even numbers. I blink twice, unsure if I’m reading it right.
