Page 16 of One Pucking Life

“Unfortunately, I’m not.” I raise my hands in a helpless shrug. “I’m currently unemployed.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure.” I sigh, rubbing my temples. “I obviously need to look for another job, but Mrs. Newmeister isn’t going to give me a recommendation, and in my field, that’s crucial. I mean, look at this.” I gesture around the room, emphasizing the space around me. “I have a mortgage, a car payment. A normal babysitting job isn’t going to cut it. I need to nanny for an affluent family. But now that Mrs. Newmeister thinks I’m a home-wrecker, she’s going to make sure no one in her circle will even consider me.”

“So you haven’t looked around for any jobs?” Iris asks.

“Not yet. I need a plan—one that doesn’t require references. That woman has hated me from the start, and now that she thinks I slept with her husband...”

“Well,” Iris says, her voice lifting with excitement. “I actually know of a job.”

My head snaps up. “What?”

“Yeah, a friend of mine is looking for a live-in nanny for his four-month-old. It’ll pay really well, and references won’t be necessary because I’ll vouch for you.”

“Really?” For the first time in a week, I feel a spark of hope. “Oh my gosh. Tell me more.”

“Well, Maxwell Park just found out he has a daughter. The mom kind of… dropped her off at his door a week ago and left. He’s completely in over his head. He’s been interviewing nannies all week and can’t find the right one.”

I blink. “Maxwell Park, as intheMaxwell Park? The Cranes’ defender?” I don’t watch much hockey, but I keep up with it enough to recognize the name.

“The very one.”

I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “Yeah, no thanks.”

“What? Are you serious? Why not?”

“Iris, I can’t live with a professional athlete. I know I’m desperate, but that would be miserable.”

Her eyes narrow. “Why are you so weird about jocks?”

“Because they all have overinflated egos, and I can’t be around that level of douche energy twenty-four seven.”

She groans, tossing up her hands. “Max isn’t a douche, and he doesn’t have an over-inflated ego. He’s a really good guy.Allthe guys on the team are. Do you think I’d marry a jerk? Or spend my days working with them if they were unbearable?”

I cross my arms, unconvinced.

“You need to stop being so judgmental, Laney,” she presses. “Seriously, it’s not a good look. You need a job, and this is agoodone. What other options do you have?”

I stare at her, chewing on the inside of my cheek. What other options do I have? None. Zero. Nada. I can either sink furtherinto the couch cushions and wallow, or I can take a chance. Even if it’s with an NHL star who probably has groupies camped outside his house on the daily.

“Fine,” I mutter, slumping back against the sofa. “I’ll think about it.”

Iris snorts. “You’ll think about it? Laney, you’re thinking about itright now. You’re just being stubborn.”

I groan. “I hate it when you’re right.”

She grins. “I always am. You should be used to it by now.”

I grab my lemonade and take a long sip, stalling. “What’s the situation exactly? I mean, living with him? I get my own room, right? I’m not sleeping in a broom closet? Will I have to fend off puck bunnies at the door?”

Iris laughs. “No broom closets. He’s got a huge house with a bunch of guest bedrooms. You’d have privacy and your own space. The only thing you’d really be responsible for is helping him take care of the baby.”

I squint at her. “What’s his deal? Why doesn’t he have any family helping him?”

She shrugs, her expression softening. “Well, he’s busy. He became a father out of nowhere and had literal seconds to figure it out. His parents live in Florida and are very career-driven. They’re too busy to help. The same goes for his sister. She’s a defense lawyer in New York City. His only present family is the team, and we’re all helping where we can, but he needs real help. He’s trying his best, but he’s a mess.”

I sigh again, this time quieter. “And the baby?”

---