I nodded. “He’s a good kid. I’m really going to miss him too.”
I shuffled out to my car, feeling deflated. I hadn’t just lost my job; I’d lost a friend. And it was yet another setback on the path to getting my degree.
Chapter Three
My alarm blared from my nightstand, and I reached over to shut it off. I glanced at the clock on my phone: five thirty. Despite the fact that it was my day off, it certainly wasn’t the weekend for me. So, I dragged my ass out of bed.
Workout clothes on, I hopped on my exercise bike in my home gym, going through the prompts. As I pushed myself harder and harder, I focused on the music. On the screen in front of me. It was my escape—my outlet. One of the few things I did for me.
An hour later, after I’d stretched, I showered and checked my emails. Nothing new from my nightmare client, which was a miracle in and of itself. But I knew it was only a matter of time. There was no way he’d let the day pass without finding some new way to torture me. In fact, I was beginning to suspect he enjoyed it.
I made a protein shake and carried it and my tablet over to one of the lounge chairs surrounding the pool. Sophia would be home from her sleepover in a few hours, and then I would have to figure out how to break the news about her dad. In the meantime, I was going to figure out a solution for the summer. I wanted to have a plan in place by the time she arrived home, impossible as it seemed.
I’d been right about overnight summer camps—all booked. Au pairs were out of the question. I should’ve requested one months ago. At least I’d put in a call to the Hartwell Agency. It really was my last hope.
Still, I remained hesitant. Sophia was used to Gabriela. I was used to Gabriela. She’d been taking care of Sophia since she was six months old, and she adored my daughter. She provided continuity; she lived with us, knew our routines. She was available any time, day or night, and I couldn’t imagine so easily handing that trust over to someone else.
I leaned my head back against the chair, soaking in the California sun. My backyard was beautiful—clean and classic, with a large pool that shone a pale blue. It was my favorite thing about the house, and I loved relaxing on the chair with the palm trees swaying in the breeze and the waterfall cascading in the background. It was so peaceful. So tranquil.
My cell phone rang, shattering the calm. It never stopped. It was barely eight o’clock in the morning, and It. Never. Stopped. With a deep sigh, I connected the call.
“Alexis Black.”
“Alexis, hi,” a woman replied. “This is Renata from the Hartwell Agency.”
“Yes.” I sighed with relief. “Thank god. I mean, thank you for calling me back. Please tell me you have someone.”
“Unfortunately, most of our caregivers have already been placed for the summer, but there is someone.” I sensed hesitation on her part, and I wondered why.
“Someone…yes?” I was practically hanging on her every word.
“Yes, well, it’s a bit of an unusual situation,” she hedged.
Spit it out, woman.
“His name is Preston. He’s been with the same family for the past year, but they—” She cleared her throat. “They, um, are moving. He’s a bit older than most of our nannies, but he has a great track record. Every family he’s worked for has given glowing recommendations, always citing him as reliable, responsible, and caring. Would you like me to send you his file?”
I was still trying to get past my surprise that it was a guy. “Um…sure. That will be fine.”
“Great. Please call with any questions, or let me know if you’d like to schedule an interview.”
“Okay. Thank you so much,” I said, trying not to feel discouraged.
A guy? How would Sophia feel about having a guy as a live-in nanny? How would Cal feel?
You know what? Fuck Cal.He was the one who’d put me in this position in the first place. He’d lost the right to have a say in the matter the moment he ditched his daughter.
By the time I navigated to my inbox, Renata’s email was waiting. Preston’s background check was spotless, not that I’d expect anything less from the Hartwell Agency. In addition to Lauren’s recommendation, I’d done some research of my own. A few of the other parents at Sophia’s school had nothing but good things to say about their experience.
Preston’s file was even more encouraging. He was an honors student studying for his bachelor’s degree in social work and spoke Spanish fluently. When Renata said he was a bit older than most of their nannies, I’d expected a senior citizen, not a senior in college. And the more I read, the more intrigued I was. The more hopeful, too.
I opened one of the attachments—a personal letter. He wrote with passion and enthusiasm, and he seemed genuine. I’d already wanted to interview him, but this sealed the deal. Assuming he and Sophia clicked, I was ready to hire him.
My mind was whirring with possibilities. I wasn’t sure I’d be comfortable with him staying in the house, but… I glanced toward the pool house, which had a fully furnished apartment. The previous owners had used it as a mother-in-law suite, but I’d never needed it for that purpose. And while I’d considered renting it out over the years, I never had. Now, I was glad it had remained vacant.
I emailed Renata, and we scheduled an informal interview with Preston for this afternoon. By the time the doorbell rang, announcing Sophia was back from her friend’s house, I wasn’t dreading it as much as I’d feared.
I opened the door and pulled Sophia in for a hug as I waved at her friend’s dad, Nate. Why couldn’t Cal be more like him? Dependable, loving—present.
