Eliza walked to the kitchen and grabbed a glass, filling it with water from the fridge.
“I do. Thanks,” Eliza replied as she handed over the glass.
She had worked tirelessly for the far too expensive house, and she wasn’t going to downplay it. Every inch of the place had been tailor-designed to her taste, and it was a point of pride for her.
“You have two kids, right?”
“Yes. Twins. Their father will be dropping them back soon, so we should probably get this figured out before then,” Eliza said as she leaned back against the black marble countertop.
“It just doesn’t look like…never mind. What do you mean by get this figured out?”
Eliza frowned. One of her biggest pet peeves was someone starting a sentence and then thinking the wordsnever mindmagically made it go away.
“It doesn’t look like what?”
Rowyn glanced around the space. Eliza followed her gaze, trying to imagine it through Rowyn’s eyes. The kitchen waslarge, with a breakfast island and a six-seater hardwood dining table. An archway led into the living room, where you could make out the couches.
“It doesn’t look like kids live here. At least, not the type of kids that are on their sixth nanny in two years. Usually, I brace myself for a whirlwind of toys and mess, but this place is pretty pristine.”
The word “pristine” was one of Eliza’s favourite descriptors and yet from Rowyn’s mouth it sounded almost like a negative.
“They have a large playroom along with their bedrooms. Those are tidy at the moment as they haven’t been here all week, but they definitely make a big mess there. That’s their space and they can do as they please with it, within reason.”
Rowyn frowned briefly, but she cleared her face quickly.
“Right. Okay, so now my question. What are we figuring out? If you’re concerned about me saying anything, I don’t make a habit of discussing my sex life with children. Which I would hope you know considering my stellar references and general lack of creepiness. So, we’re good.”
We’re good. That’s it?
“That’s not exactly what I’m concerned about. What happened last night was supposed to be no strings attached. You working for me is strings. Are you not in the least concerned about that?”
Rowyn sipped her water and looked contemplative.
“No, not really. Last night was great, but we were both clear on what it was. I’m more than capable of putting that behind me and doing my job. Plus, I packed up and moved across the country for this, I don’t have the luxury of changing my mind.”
Eliza opened her mouth to speak and closed it again as Rowyn held up a hand.
“Listen, I can’t stop you from terminating my contract. I get that this is an awkward, and unexpected, situation. But you willhave to pay me my one month notice period and I will need some time to find somewhere to stay while the agency relocates me. I’m not concerned about finding a new job. I am excellent at what I do, which I’m sure you’ve been apprised of. I will find something, if that’s what you think is best. So do what you need to do.”
Eliza’s heart sank. Rowynwashighly recommended. She would find another family to nanny without a doubt, but would Eliza find a new nanny?
“Mommm! Eli broke my headphones.”
“It was an accident, telltale.”
Eliza turned as her two children barrelled through the door with Henry tailing behind them rolling his eyes. They came to an abrupt stop as they got into the kitchen and saw Rowyn standing there.
“Elliot, Amelia, say hello to Rowyn,” Eliza said.
“What kinda name is Rowyn?” Elliot said as Amelia gave a half-hearted wave.
“Elliot, you know better than to be rude. Apologize, now,” Eliza chastised quickly.
Elliot’s forehead crinkled in a frown.
“It was just a question,” he mumbled.
Eliza opened her mouth to reprimand him again but Rowyn’s voice cut through the air.
