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I shifted on my feet, hoping that was the end of the inquiries. “That’s what it sounded like.”
“Are you sure about this?” Mac met my gaze from across the room.
“I need someone reliable so I can work without constantly checking my phone or worrying.” Alice hadn’t asked about salary, but I intended to pay her more than the other nannies, even if she was getting free room and board.
“That’s understandable,” Mom said. She was the one who understood me the best. I think it’s because my brothers weren’t parents yet. They didn’t understand the responsibility, the constant anxiety that I wasn’t providing enough for Maggie. Especially with her mom in and out of her life.
Dad slapped my shoulder. “We need you focused on work. Can’t have anyone getting hurt.”
“Hasn’t happened yet.” I might not have been physically injured from the distractions at home, but it hurt my focus. I wanted more responsibility at work, and being the youngest brother, I got the least. I wouldn’t be able to convince my dad to listen to my business ideas if I was exhausted from no sleep and my head constantly on Maggie at home.
We helped Mom move the food and drinks to the table. Sitting around my childhood table, I felt settled in a way I didn’t at home. This was my family. Felicia might not have been present, but Maggie had me, my parents, and my brothers. She was loved. When I was worried I wasn’t doing enough, I tried to remind myself of moments like these.
She had a lot. Even if sometimes I wished she had an intact family. A mother and a father. But Felicia and I had never been serious. We’d dated casually, and when she got pregnant, I told her I’d be there for her. I would have married her if that’s what she wanted, but she didn’t. She said the pregnancy wouldn’t derail her plans of being a doctor.
I just didn’t think she’d move across the country for a job opportunity and never come back.
Food was passed around, and conversation carried on around me.
At some point, Mac leaned in. “Just how old is this nanny who’s living in your guest room?”
I shrugged. “A couple of years younger than me, I would think. Twenty-five or twenty-six.”
“She hot?” Tyler asked from across the table, clearly eavesdropping on our conversation. He’d kept his voice low, probably worried that Maggie, who was sitting at the other end of the table next to Mom and Dad, might overhear.
“She’s pretty. Girl-next-door looks.” There was no way I was telling them the truth. Alice was gorgeous, and there was something intriguing about her. There was a depth to her eyes that told me she had a history. A troubled one. It didn’t concern me because she was so genuinely entranced by Maggie. I wasn’t sure if it was all children, but Maggie was drawn to her too.
“Is it going to be a problem having a hot nanny living with you?” Mac asked, ever the responsible one.
“I need her to watch Maggie. I won’t do anything to screw that up.” I needed to cut the cord on this attraction because she wasn’t a love interest. She was tasked with looking after my daughter. The most important job, in my mind.
“No kissing the nanny, then,” Tyler said with a smug grin. He was probably going to enjoy my discomfort over the next few months.
“And you wonder why I don’t come to family dinners.”
Mac elbowed me hard in the ribs. “What? You can’t handle the ribbing?”
I grunted at the contact.
“Boys. How many times do I have to tell you, no wrestling at the table?”
Mac rolled his eyes like we were still teenagers. “I wasn’t wrestling.”
“Elbowing. Whatever it is you do when you think I’m not looking.”
“Yeah, be good.” I was pleased that Mom always stuck up for me as the youngest. Although that usually meant harsher treatment from my brothers when Mom was out of the room. It was worth it when she chided them.
Tyler pointed at me. “Watch yourself.”
“I know what you boys do. Wait until I leave to give each other trouble. I won’t have it in my house.” Mom pointed her fork down the table at us.
“Now, Miranda, they’re grown men.”
She gave him an exasperated look. “Then they should start acting like it.”
Mom and Dad broke off into bickering about how to handle us. It wasn’t anything different from years ago. It felt good to be home. I was glad Maggie got to be a part of this.
“Mom can’t save you forever,” Mac hissed from my side.
