AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You don’t have anything to worry about. I’m boring.” It was funny to say that, because when I was a teenager, I was out all hours of the night, following Elle and the production crew around. She tried to shield me from the show, but I always found a way to be there. I wasn’t going to miss out on the excitement. Now, I wanted nothing to do with partying or going to a bar. I was done with that life.
I didn’t have any friends in Telluride, other than Elle’s. And I didn’t think they trusted me, not after what I’d done.
“Did you have any other questions?” I was happy to alleviate any of his concerns.
“Let me walk you to the door.”
My stomach dropped. He didn’t think I was right for the job. It was what I’d thought, but the reality hurt worse than I expected. “It was so nice to meet you, Ms. Maggie.”
“Will you come over to play again?”
“That’s up to your daddy,” I said, rising to my feet. I followed Sam to the door, dread pulling at me with each step I took.
“Thank you for coming by.”
I walked through the door and faced him. I knew I wasn’t good enough for a position like this. Parents wanted someone they could trust. Not someone with no résumé or education.
He rested a hand on the top of the frame, leaning slightly toward me. “If you could start on Monday, that would be great.”
“Are you saying I got the job?” The question was out of my mouth before I could retract it. I was just so surprised that he wanted to hire me. He’d wanted someone reliable, and despite how much I’d worked at it over the last few years, I wouldn’t exactly call past-Alice reliable.
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Sorry, I got a little ahead of myself. I’d like to offer you the job.”
“I’d love to.” Pleasure flowed through me. I’d gotten my first real job.
“Can you start on Monday? I know it’s soon.”
I chewed my lip, wondering if it was okay to ask for a favor on my first day. “I’d like to see my niece, Amelia, off to her first day of school. Would it be okay if I brought Maggie?”
He nodded his head. “That’s not a problem.”
“I should have asked if we could have playdates with Amelia, too. Elle would be there, of course. I wouldn’t be watching both kids at the same time. That’s not what you’re hiring me to do.”
Sam gave me a measured look. “If you need to watch Amelia, I don’t mind. Just let me know.”
“You hired me to give all of my attention to Maggie.”
His brow furrowed. “It would be good for her to have friends. None of the other nannies took her on playdates.”
Nodding, I said, “I’ll clear it with you first, of course.”
Dropping his hand, he asked, “Would you want to move your things this weekend so that you’re settled?”
“That would be great.” I probably should have asked to see the room, but I was so nervous, I forgot.
“Just let me know when you’re coming by. I’ll have a key ready for you.”
“I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to working with you.” I held out my hand, and he looked at it for a second before taking it.
His hand was larger than mine, his skin rough, probably from working with them all day. The slight squeeze sent a jolt of tingles through my fingers and up my arm to my elbow.
I was aware he was an attractive man, but the charge from touching him was unnerving. I had no interest in dating, especially not the man who was now my boss.
I let go of his hand. “Thanks again. See you on Sunday.”
I got into my car, aware that he was watching me from the doorway. What did he see when he saw me? I’d worked so hard to scrub myself of the old socialite image. Did he see glimpses of that, or did he see a responsible woman in her place?
I’d strived for the latter, but sometimes it felt like I’d never escape the former.
