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His attraction to me?
His concern?
When he eventually looked up, his eyes glued to mine, his mouth slowly parting. “She needs you.” His hand ran across his beard. “Hannah’s wonderful—I don’t mean she isn’t—but what you taught her in the little time you two were together was so impressive. You were patient with her, and you tested her, pushed her. She had no idea she was in the middle of a lesson; she thought she was just having fun, and that was the best part about it.”
As his hands folded on top of the counter, his thumbs rubbing together, my heart wanted to calm.
But couldn’t.
I sucked in a mouthful of air and said, “But …”
He didn’t answer immediately. He just stared at me, the seconds building between us.
The tension.
The memories—at least in my head—were exploding, one after the other.
“But then there’s us.”
I had known that was the underlying factor. The reason he wasn’t sliding a contract with an NDA across the counter.
“Can you handle the close quarters?” he asked. “The time we’re going to be spending together?” His voice lowered while he said, “The idea of living in this house?” He pushed up the sleeves of his shirt, showing muscular forearms and dark hair.
Arms I remembered wrapping around me, the feelings and sensations they had given me.
The security.
But then the thought of Everly popped into my head.
How I’d enjoyed every moment I spent with her.
There was no question that I would love this job.
I could ignore the beating in my heart.
The desire to close the distance between Ford and me.
The gasp in my throat if he ever got near.
I could.
For Everly.
“Yes,” I answered, “I can handle it.” I inhaled again, holding in the air as I said, “Can you?”
He broke eye contact to look down, his face expressionless.
Is he struggling as badly as I am with this?
Does he want to reach across the counter and take me into his arms?
I waited for an answer.
The silence simmering.
And then, finally, he voiced, “Yes,” and gradually glanced up. “I’d like to offer you the job. I realize we haven’t discussed a salary or benefits. I assure you, you’ll be well compensated.”
“It’s not something I’m stressing about,” I admitted.
There were far too many other things on my mind.
Like his mouth.
“As for Eve,” he went on, “she’d like to know the exact date she’s going to see you again—a request she made before falling asleep.”
He chuckled, and the mood instantly lightened.
I smiled. “I can start whenever.”
“Before you do, I just want to make one thing clear.” He pushed his sleeves higher again, the movement sending me his cologne. A scent that I tried to ignore as he continued, “I need someone who’s in it for the long haul. I understand you’re going to school and you’ll eventually become a teacher, but that’s years away. I want to know I have you until then.”
His words hit me. Whether he’d chosen them on purpose or they were merely a coincidence, I felt the power behind each one.
“I’m not going anywhere, Ford.” I swallowed. “You have me.”
“Then, my assistant will send over the necessary paperwork. I’m sure you’re familiar with an NDA.”
“I’ve signed one before, yes.”
He exhaled, a sound that was more like a sigh. “Now, as for moving in, I’ve given that some thought, and I don’t want to rush it. Let’s take our time, see how things go the next week or so. Are you okay with that?”
A sense of relief passed through me.
One I hadn’t expected.
“Yes, of course,” I replied.
His hands had been moving but froze. “I want you to get comfortable with Everly, and I want to get used to having you here all the time.”
“An important part of the process, I agree.” As he nodded, I asked, “When would you like me to start?”
He pulled out his phone, tapping the screen, his eyes going back and forth, like he was reading. “I can draw up the contract and NDA tomorrow. You’re welcome to counter my offer. If that doesn’t hold us up, then maybe within a few days?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. And, you know, even when I start school, like I already told you, the classes are online, so I can get all my work done once my day here ends.” My chest constricted again. “If I do move in, would that be into one of the guest rooms upstairs? We passed a few on our way to Everly’s room.”
“No.” He shook his head, as though I needed the emphasis. “I had an apartment built over the garage. It has its own kitchen and bathroom, small living room and bedroom. You’ll have your own entrance, giving you all the privacy you need, where you can come and go as you please. To access the house, you’ll just walk through the garage and come in through the back. I just ask one thing …” He cleared his throat, quickly glancing down. “It’s your own apartment, and I would like you to treat it as such. I just want you to be respectful with who you invite over.”
“Ford, I would never—”
“You don’t have to say any more.”
I quieted.
I wasn’t surprised he didn’t want to talk about it. The topic couldn’t have been more awkward.
But even if the apartment was technically mine, I would never disrespect him.
I wouldn’t even bring Gabby over.
As though he sensed I needed another break from his eyes, he got up and went to the fridge, returning with two bottles of water, one which he placed in front of me.
“As for the minor details,” he said, “like I mentioned before, you’ll be given a credit card. I want you to use it when you’re out with Everly—if you stop for ice cream, lunch, shopping. I will cover all expenses for the both of you, no exceptions. That also goes for anything you need for projects, lessons, whatever—just charge it.” He took a drink of his water. “I’m also going to give you a car to use, so you’ll no longer need yours. I’m sure the one you drive is fine, but keeping the both of you safe is my top priority; therefore, I need you driving something I’ve chosen personally.”
My hand went to his arm, a reaction that I immediately regretted but I still didn’t pull away. “I’ve gone through this all before. I understand how it works. If my daughter were in your care, I’d want to choose the car too.” My fingers left, grabbing the water bottle and untwisting the cap. “However, if Everly’s not with me and I’m going somewhere personally, I’ll pay for the gas.”
“No, you won’t.” He laughed. “I won’t allow it.”
“Ford—”
“Listen to me. Your sole responsibility is my daughter. Teaching her. Molding her. Giving her everything she needs without turning her into a spoiled brat—that, I won’t stand for.” He wiped his lips and continued, “Above all else, my daughter is going to learn the meaning of hard work and humility. She needs a foundation that’s concrete. That, Sydney, is where you come in. Everything else, like money, let me worry about.”
I took a deep breath, squeezing the bottle with both hands. “I promise … I’ll give you and Everly everything I can.”
