Page 50

I’m on my third large coffee from Starbucks and honestly I’m feeling a little bit of a caffeine buzz, but I wasn’t going to invite all these strangers into my home.

Ellie helped me set up three interviews with her recommended potential nannies, and the first two were fine. They were both good enough. The first was a college student taking online classes, but she was young and made me feel like a dirty old man for checking her out when I realized she was nine years my junior. The second was a recently divorced woman in her late thirties who was giving me way too much of the eye for me to feel comfortable asking her to move into my house in three months to take care of my kid while I’m not there.

I’m waiting on the third to walk in, but so far it’s sort of been a bust.

Maybe because nobody will be good enough for my girl.

The third was technically recommended by Ellie, but it’s really more of a third-party arrangement where her nanny knows this girl. Ellie made it very clear she doesn’t know this woman very well, and it feels like a strike against her already.

Part of me wonders if I could fashion up some arrangement with Victoria. I know she’s looking for a place to live, and maybe I could help her out and pay her rent in exchange for her looking after Harper when I’m in season.

It makes sense.

She’s not her direct teacher, so I don’t think there would be a huge conflict of interest. They go to the same school, so Victoria could just bring her along when she’s looking after her.

It’s a ridiculous thought that I banish as soon as I have it.

It would never work. She’d never say yes.

The door opens, and a gorgeous woman with long, dark hair glances around before her dark eyes land on me. She strides over to my table, chest pushed out and long legs carrying her over, and I can’t help but allow my eyes to run her full length. She might be the best candidate yet.

You know, for the nanny position.

Lots of guys pork their nannies, right?

“Travis?” she asks.

“You must be Madeline,” I say, standing and offering my hand to shake hers.

She nods. “Nice to meet you.”

We both sit.

“Did you want anything?” I ask.

Her eyes flick to my lips then my chest before moving back to mine. I incline my head toward the counter where she can go place an order if she’d like, but I quite enjoy where her head seems to be.

But at the same time, it feels just a little uncomfortable.

Like I shouldn’t be flirting back when my interest seems fully vested in someone else.

But that someone else has made it clear she hates me, so I’m not sure why I’m even bothering to think about her right now.

“Definitely,” she flirts.

“Coffee or tea?”

“Oh,” she says, a little disappointed as she seems to snap out of it. “Yes, I placed a mobile order on my way here. I’ll just grab it.”

She stands and heads toward the counter, and I note that she placed a mobile order on the way here, which maybe means she had her phone in her hand while she was driving.

I don’t want her phone in her hand when she’s driving Harper to and from different places.

It’s a strike, but as I glance over at her legs again, I’m not sure it’s a deal breaker. Maybe she voiced it at a stoplight or something.

She returns to the table with a smile.

“So, Madeline, tell me about your experience as a nanny.”

“I basically raised my two little sisters,” she says.

“Do you have experience with ten-year-old girls?”

“My sisters, yes.” She nods. “We were young when our dad left, and then Mom met a guy and was busy with him all the time, so she left me to care for them. Natalie was six and Amelia was eleven when I was fourteen.”

“How old are you now?”

“Twenty-two.”

I mean…it’s only six years younger than me. Not as bad as that nineteen-year-old.

“Are you in college?”

She nods. “Graduating with a degree in communications in May.”

“My degree is in communications, too,” I muse.

She gives me a look like she’s grateful we have something in common, but I’m not sold on the idea that I actually want anything in common with her.

“Do you have immediate availability?” I ask.

“Yes, but I have class on Tuesday and Thursday from ten until two. My other classes are online, so I can fit those in when I need to.”

Sounds like a sweet ass schedule.

I ask her a few other questions, and she asks me some, too. I think Harper would like her. “Okay, I’d like to start with a trial run and see how the two of you get along. I’m thinking this Thursday a little before dinner time, and I’ll stick around for a bit until I’m sure you’re both comfortable and then head out until around midnight or one. Does that work for you?”

She nods. “Yes, that would be a great start. I can spend the night if you need me to.”

“My guest room turned into Harper’s room, so I don’t have anywhere for you to sleep.”

“I’m sure we could find somewhere,” she says, her words laden with meaning.

“Yeah, like Harper’s room since she sneaks into my bed every night.” I say the words pointedly.

She offers a fake smile at that, and I stand.

“Thanks for meeting me. I’ll text you my address and I look forward to having you meet my daughter.”

“I look forward to Thursday, too,” she says, and then I head out to get on with my day.

I text my Thursday Night Crew and let them know I’m ready for a night out, and I’m hit back with a few affirmatives.

Fingers crossed this goes well with Madeline because I love the idea of getting back into my Thursday night routine.

I call Ellie in the car on the way home to give her the update. “I just met with the three nannies you recommended, and Madeline is coming by Thursday for a trial run.”

“Amazing. Fingers crossed it works out,” she says. “On another note, I got the paperwork back from Jimmy on your new deals, and I had another one come through for Hive Drive. Are you into energy drinks?”

“I wasn’t before I had a kid,” I joke.

“I’ll send the contract Jimmy’s way.” She must be busy today because her tone is all business. “Nike already has packages enroute to your place, and they’re sending you stuff for Harper, too. They’d love if you posted the two of you in matching gear. And the new trading card company, Legends Collections, is Vegas-based. They need me to get you down to their studio for a photo shoot in the next few weeks.”

“Put it on my calendar,” I tell her.

I’m not sure I’d be able to navigate this new life on my own, but I’m not used to relying on anyone else or asking for help.

I’m grateful for her, and I tell her that before we end the call.

“You’re the best, and I appreciate everything you’re doing for me,” I say.

“You’re more than a client, Travis,” she says quietly. “I admire everything you’re doing for Harper, and I’m happy to help however I can.”

We hang up, and it feels good to know I’ve got someone on my side.