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Sam considered me carefully before nodding. “You need help with your stuff?”
“Please. I have a few boxes.” Sam pointed out Maggie’s room, which was next to mine, and his closed door at the end of the hall before walking into mine.
It had two dressers, a double-sized bed, and a nightstand. A small TV sat on the dresser across from the bed.
I asked him to place the boxes in the closet. They were full of my art supplies. I hadn’t asked him if it was okay to create my mosaics here, but I wasn’t sure I’d have time, anyway.
Maggie ran into the room and jumped on the bed. “I can’t believe you’re living here.”
“No jumping on the bed,” Sam said automatically.
I smiled, not able to resist how cute she was.
When she continued to jump, Sam said more firmly, “No jumping.”
Maggie jumped one more time, landing on her butt.
“Let’s let Miss Alice settle in. She doesn’t start work until tomorrow.”
“Ugh. Fine.” Maggie spun out of the room and skipped down the hall.
“Sorry about that.”
“No worries.” She reminded me of Amelia, and I hoped she’d make me less homesick.
“Let me know if you need anything,” Sam said before he left the room.
Alone, I sat on the edge of the bed, wondering if I’d made a huge mistake. I’d lived with Elle and Gray, pretending to be part of their little family. Was staying here the same? I was just losing myself in similar situation.
I’d told Elle this was my opportunity to find myself. I couldn’t get lost in Sam and Maggie because they were my job. Not another excuse to escape from reality.
I took a deep breath and stood to unpack my things. I carefully folded every piece of clothing and put it in the drawers. It was nice having a room outside Elle and Gray’s house, but I couldn’t help but wonder if I should have tried harder to find an affordable apartment.
Sam appeared when I was done. “Are you ready for dinner? We’re going to make pizza.”
“Oh. Uh—” I wasn’t sure what the protocol was for a live-in nanny. Did I share in their meals? Did I help cook or pay for groceries? We hadn’t discussed any of the details.
“You don’t have to join us. I just thought you might be hungry.”
It would be a good opportunity to spend more time with Maggie. Tomorrow it would be just us. “I could eat.”
I followed him into the kitchen. It was the first time I’d been in this room. It was bright and open, with white cabinets and butcher-block countertops. Maggie sat on one of the barstools at the counter, two small bowls of mozzarella cheese and pepperonis in front of her.
“You’re supposed to be putting toppings on the pizza, not eating them,” Sam chided her.
Maggie tilted her head back and dropped more shredded cheese into her mouth.
Sam sighed. “What do you like on your pizza?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll eat anything.” I moved to sit next to Maggie.
“Pepperoni is my favorite. I put a smiley face on mine. Want me to do yours?”
“That would be great, Maggie.”
She beamed with pride as she moved to add cheese to my pizza.
“Wash your hands first.”
