Page 15 of Forbidden Kisses

He shrugged. "I’m trying to do my best."

"Jeremy's such a good kid. I thoroughly enjoyed today."

"I'm glad you say that, that you're not just viewing him as a paycheck.” He smiled, and I shimmied in my seat.

"I’ll let you in on a secret. I've honestly thought long and hard about being a teacher because I've always loved kids. Sometimes, I think I have two personalities: one who wants to be a lawyer and get rich, and the other one who simply wants to enjoy life and have time for the little things."

Duncan

Riley was the most refreshingly honest person I'd met lately. "Not many people would admit that."

She shrugged, as if she wasn't worried in the least. "I don't mind. I'm an open book. I think it's a bit sad that we have to decide to be one thing or another so early in life. I still don't really know what I want."

The more she spoke, the more striking the age difference between us became. I might only be nine years older, but it felt more like twenty. She was still searching for her direction in life, and I was deeply seated in mine. There was rarely time to be impulsive. I scheduled everything to the tiniest detail. Most of that was because when Jeremy was a baby, he did best by following the exact same routine. But I preferred to have a rigid schedule too.

"Dinner was amazing," she said after a few moments.

"Of course it was. You cooked it."

She smiled. "I mean, I liked the company too."

I leaned in over the table. "I'll let you in on a secret—so did I. Quite a lot."

She swallowed hard, biting her lower lip. Christ, I couldn't pretend; I was attracted to her, but I had to get it under control. I hadn't brought any woman to meet Jeremy ever, and I wasn't going to start now. And I wasdefinitelynot going to start with his nanny. That would just confuse the hell out of him.

“Should I pick him up from school tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yes. I've already given the school all the information on you. You’re cleared for pickup, so there shouldn't be any issue, but just in case they give you grief, tell them to call me. I’ll email you all the details so you know exactly where to go."

She nodded. "Great."

I took a car key out of my pocket. “The company car is in the parking lot. Spot 17.”

“Great. I’ll get situated with it tomorrow before I pick up Jeremy.”

“You can use it as your personal car as well.”

She shook her head. “No, no, I’m fine without a car.”

“Are you sure?”

“I promise.”

“Then I'll walk you to the door," I said.

"I can clean up."

"No. You already went above and beyond, cookingandshopping. That reminds me, I’ll get you a credit card to use when you’re with Jeremy. Why did you go to Albertsons?”

She bit her lower lip. “The grocery store in the community is extremely expensive.”

That didn’t even cross my mind. “What do I owe you?”

“You really don’t need to pay me back, though I left the receipts on the counter by the canisters.”

No way was she covering the bill. I’d add it to her next paycheck and then some.

“Okay, and feel free to shop at the local store next time. Charge it all to the credit card.” I didn’t want her to leave. How crazy was that? She was Jeremy’s nanny, for God’s sake. “Oh, and thanks for making our favorite fillings.”