Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
The Jets were a complete and utter joke, and we were the only ones who weren’t privy to the punchline.
Then again, the only thing that could turn things around was “winning.” But based on the full practice I’d watched today, that wasn’t happening soon.
“What the hell have I gotten myself into?” I muttered at my desk.
“You’re still here?” Denise stepped into my doorway. “Me and Brian thought you went home.”
“I did, but I came back,” I said. “I’m staying here for a while, so bring in whatever you two are working on tonight.”
“You sure about that?” she asked. “Isn’t today your new nanny’s first day?”
“It is.”
She crossed her arms. “Don’t you normally give them a half workday, so they’re not overwhelmed and want to quit?”
“I’m actually counting on her to quit.”
“What?”
“She’s fine, Denise.” I motioned for her to bring in the work. “She’s fine.”
“I’ll take your word for it, then.” She shrugged. “Be back in twenty.”
I opened my laptop and signed into the security cameras in the twins’ room. Scanning past the cloud and sky decor, I stopped when I saw Miss Hawthorne sitting on the nursery floor.
She was wearing a pink apron over a tank top, rocking William’s cradle with her foot while feeding Charlotte a bottle.
She’s sexy as hell without even trying…
I turned off my three-hour “Go home” alarm.
I’m staying here as long as possible.
ELEVEN
HARLOW
“Imissed you,” a deep, sexy voice said. “I missed you so fucking much…”
My eyes fluttered open as Mr. Dawson lifted Charlotte from my arms. He kissed her forehead and carried her over to the fluffy corner chair.
“How was your day today?” he asked.
“It was pretty hectic and intense,” I said. “This is the first chance I’ve had to sit down since you left.”
“I was talking to my daughter.” He shot me a look.
“Oh.”
He peppered her cheeks with kisses. “Did you miss me?”
I glanced at my phone. One a.m.
Standing up, I ensured William’s pacifier was still in his mouth before heading to my room.
Per the nanny guide, whenever he came home from work, he wanted to spend time with the twins alone.
I set a timer for four hours and plopped onto the bed.
As soon as I shut my eyes, something tapped my shoulders.
What the? I rolled over to see Mr. Dawson.
“I’m going back to work, Miss Hawthorne,” he said. “I suggest you return to the nursery.”
“Huh?” I sat up. “You literally just got home, and you were only with your kids for like thirty minutes.”
“Thanks for keeping track of me,” he said. “Do I need to remind you to pick up Olivia from school today, or can you handle that?”
“What I can’t handle is you being condescending or changing the rules on a whim.” I was too exhausted to be polite. “When exactly am I supposed to nap or recharge if I only get one thirty minute break a day?”
“You’re the professional nanny, Miss Hawthorne. You tell me.”
I didn’t have a rebuttal for that.
“Since you want to add keeping track of me to your task list,” he said, heading to the door, “I’ll be home around the same time tonight, too.”
TWELVE
HARLOW
One week later
Something sharp and cold poked my stomach.
“Is that woman alive?” someone whispered.
“I think so. Poke her a little harder.”
“Owwww! I rolled over to see Sasha and a stranger standing over me. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Let me know if you need anything.” The guy patted her shoulder before walking away.
“You passed out at Happy Hour,” Sasha said. “You begged me to meet you here, and you haven’t even touched your drink.”
I sat up and looked around, noting the familiar leather booths of Whimstery Cafe.
“How long have I been knocked out?” I asked.
“A couple of hours.” She shrugged. “I had to convince the owner not to call an ambulance. On the plus side, congratulations on making it through your first week!”
“That’s not worth celebrating.”
“Why not?”
“Because tomorrow is my last day.” I was done. “I’m coming clean about my lie the moment I get back, alerting the hiring agency, and collecting what he owes me. Then I’m napping for the rest of the year.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I haven’t showered since I started this job, Sasha,” I said. “Because I don’t get more than five minutes to myself a day.”
“That’s more than enough time to take a shower.”
“Even though this man’s babies are cute as hell, they’re so needy.” I was near tears. “When one is sleeping the other is crying and vice versa, and I’m pretty sure his little devil niece is determined to—”
I stopped talking once she held up the latest copy of Bon Appetit: Pastry Chef Edition.
“Are you seriously willing to kiss your lifelong dream away because you can’t deal with dirty diapers and spit up for two more years?”
“Mr. Dawson believing that he owns my time is the problem.”
“Don’t think about him,” she said. “Besides, he let you get a break today to meet up with me, right?”