Page 8 of Penalty Kill

“Into the pool house,” I quickly clarified. “It has its own kitchen and bathroom and a decent sized bedroom.”

That seemed to help her relax a bit. “That would be great.”

“Oh good.” Now for the most awkward part. Money. “My schedule isn’t very normal or consistent. I can’t make hours like nine to five work.”

She seemed a bit confused.

“I can usually get up with the boys and take them to preschool. It’s the afternoon and evening that I really need help with.”

“Oh right. That’s fine.”

“And some weekends,” I added.

She nodded. “Okay.”

“And I travel quite a bit.” I wasn’t sure how much Chloe explained. Hopefully, this wasn’t too much to ask. “I’ve been having the boys stay with Emma or one of the others while I’m gone, but I’d really like for you to stay with the boys.”

She didn’t hesitate. “Brandon, I don’t have anything else going on in my life right now. I know that makes me sound kind of pathetic, but this job will be my entire world. Whatever you need, I can make work.”

Did that mean she didn’t have a boyfriend?

No. Stop it. She had the time and attention to give to my boys. That was what mattered. And I wasn’t interested in a relationship. I couldn’t balance everything going on as it was. Adding in dating was the furthest thing from what I needed in my life.

“Are you sure?”

She smiled. “Yes, I can handle your crazy schedule. I don’t need time off, and I’ll even stay here through the holidays. I can give one hundred percent to the boys.”

There was no way she was this perfect. Chloe and I spent a half-hour discussing the salary I should offer, but suddenly I wanted to double it.

“So, you’re okay with crazy hours, being on call, possibly even traveling with them?”

“Yes, Brandon,” she said with confidence.

“The salary I’m offering is fifteen hundred a week. It works out to be seventy-eight thousand a year.” I hated this part. Money was such an awkward topic, but I needed to get it out now. I was asking so much of her. She was basically giving up fourteen months of her life for my family. I wanted to pay her a lot more, but Chloe kept me from handing over all my paychecks.

She didn’t flinch. “Yes, that’s fine.”

That was a relief. Hopefully, we never had to discuss it again. “Wonderful. Can you start tomorrow?”

“Of course,” she said with enthusiasm.

I smiled. “If you can come over at nine, I’ll give you a run-through and you can get settled in before having to pick up the boys.”

“That sounds great.”

I called the boys over to officially introduce them. “Milo, Finn, this is Sydney. She’s going to be staying with us and picking you up from school from now on.”

Finn cocked his head. “Are you going to play with us?”

Sydney giggled. “Yes, we can play every day.”

“Can you make grilled cheese?” Milo asked.

“I can,” she confirmed.

That seemed to be all the boys needed to know. They smiled and turned to me.

“Sounds good?” I looked at each of them.