Page 36 of Gabriel & Skye

I take a seat facing him. Everything looks extremely neat and tidy in here.

He has two trays on the far side of his desk; an IN and OUT tray. Both look marginally at peace and not overflowing. His desk is minimal, with just his computer and a dual photo frame, with Trinity as a baby on one side, and one of them together more recently. She’s wearing a pink tutu and has a crown on her head with a sparkly wand.

My eyes flick to him after my quick assessment. “Thank you,” I say, smoothing out my skirt. “And thank you for seeing me today. I appreciate it.” Say all the right things. Be polite. Don’t screw up.

He clears his throat. “I’m a little surprised to see you. I’m afraid I didn’t put two and two together at Stone’s Throw.”

No shit. “That’s okay. I only just got to town.”

He picks up the pen, innocently resting on an open pad of paper, and begins fiddling with it. “Did you know who I was at the cafe?”

I pull out the manilla folder from my purse which has my resume in it and pass it to him. “Uh, I have to confess that I did.” To try to change the subject, I add,“I’m not sure if you got a chance to read my email…”

It’s then I notice he also has a manilla folder — which he opens — and I see he has a copy of my resume right in front of him. “I just printed it off this morning. It only clicked when I saw your last name. Travis’s sister.”

“Guilty as charged.”

He sits back in his seat and directs his attention to me.

And I have to say it’s a little intimidating feeling those curious, deep oceanic blue eyes solely focused on me. I’m not used to anyone so serious.

I try to steal my sudden growing nerves. My stomach flutters, and my heartbeat accelerates. I realize again I’m attracted to this man.

And this could be very bad, given Georgia-Blue’s sentiments earlier about me, possibly about to become the new nanny. And not just any nanny. His nanny.

9

Gabriel

I realize I’m staring at Skye Hendry. As I’ve just found out, moments before printing her resume. I don’t even have time to have a reaction because she’s here early; always a good sign. Now here she sits in front of me, looking and smelling like strawberry shortcake.

She’s a very attractive woman with strong features. Her skin is on the paler side, her hair a dark shade of red that looks natural, and then there are those green eyes. They’re fucking beautiful. I also try not to notice the cute freckles dotting her nose and cheeks, her lips full and perky as my eyes drop further. I try not to notice how well-groomed she is. Even her nails — painted a pretty shade of coral — are neat and tidy.

I’m fucking checking out my future nanny — get a goddamn grip, man!

This isn’t what I had in mind for someone new coming into my employ.

I don’t want to be attracted to my new nanny, but I know that looking at her now as she sits across from me, that’s exactly what I am. She’s hot.

But now I have the memory of humiliating her in the cafe.

My mind is supposed to be on Trinity and finding the best person to watch her while I’m at work, not crushing over the woman with amazing credentials and a degree in early childhood education.

I try to keep my focus on her eyes, and not let them dip down to her lips as she speaks.

I’m still trying to get over the fact that she's Trav’s sister, and my vague memory of me being a nine-year-old barely remembers a little sister running around when Trav and I were trying to play video games. That was her?

I had no idea who she was the other day, and now I feel like a complete douchebag.

“Well then, welcome back to Stoney Creek.” Oh, for fuck’s sake.

Her eyes flick up and I see surprise behind them. I don’t know what she’s been led to believe by Georgia before I interrupted, but I could tell by their sheepish faces they were talking about me.

Not that there’s that much to tell. But I’m sure my sister left no stone untouched, telling her what a grumpy asshole I am.

I’ll need to pick a bone with her later if she knew about Skye’s identity all along — which I’m suspecting she did.

I was just a kid back then, so it’s not even like I remember her name; I haven’t even had a second to catch up with Travis.

---