Page 71 of The Billionaire's One-Night Stand Nanny
Or–the suspicion crept up slowly from my belly as I taught my lessons–had he known what would happen if I got the job? That we couldn’t possibly be together, and that this would be a convenient out, an excuse to call it off if things got too serious?
Like I did?The thought caught in my throat, choking me.
I barely noticed the final bell ringing, forgot to give out my weekend reading assignment. Packed up my things to leave–I’d gotten there so early this morning there was no question of me hanging around any longer–and arrived on the front plaza of the school while there were still students lingering: waiting for rides, chatting with their friends before walking home, sitting on the low wall around the perimeter of the school’s tiny learning garden, dormant and brown for the winter, their feet kicking as they checked their phones for texts from their parents, their nannies and babysitters and au pairs.
“Flora!”
Back to Flora again.I smiled, lifting an eyebrow at Maddie, who was running toward me.
“Sorry, I mean, Miss Connelly,” she said, scrunching up her face. “I forgot again.”
My stomach turned over as I saw that she wasn’t alone. Maddie’s mother was dressed immaculately as always, walking at a more sedate pace after her daughter.
“Nice to see you, Ms. Talford.”
“Good to see you, too, Flora,” she said. Her voice was pleasant and even, adding to her air of complete competence. “Maddie wore the skirt you made with her to a little party I threw last weekend to much adulation from the other guests.”
“So I heard,” I said with a laugh. “I’m glad her first piece went over so well. I look forward to the complete collection.”
“She was so happy to hear you would be teaching here. We miss you,” she added, glancing over at her daughter with a slight smile. “She’s really appreciated having you as a… friend at school.”
“I just–” I started, then pressed my lips together. “I think I have her father to thank. I didn’t realize until today that he wrote me a letter of recommendation. I–”
She waved me away. “He’s always been friends with Charlie–Charlie Martin–so I’m sure it was nothing.”
“For him, maybe,” I said.Wasit nothing? The lump in my stomach was back. “But not to me. Getting a job here is a dream.”
“Well, I’ll be sure to pass along your thanks.”
“And congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thank you,” she said, then her face brightened, her eyes going wide. “Oh! I can’t believe I almost forgot–it’s me who should thankyoufor the recommendation. The cream puffs alone…” She held a hand to her chest and for a moment, the diamond on her finger was almost blinding. “Incredible. And I’d never admit it, but to find someone who hasn’t done athousandof my friends’ events is a nice bonus…”
“Sorry,” I said, “I’m not sure I understand?”
“She’s your sister, right? Step-sister? Hazel. She’s doing the catering at Michael and my wedding. Ryan passed along her card. Thank you. It’s funny, Michael’s been raving about these baked goods they order in at work formonthsnow, but I never would have thought to see if she did weddings…”
I nodded along as Maddie’s mom enthused over the tasting Hazel had prepared for the three of them–Maddie, her mom, and her stepfather-to-be–remembering what Ryan had said about Maddie and her mother. They had their own thing; they liked to go torestaurants, as Maddie always said with wide eyes. A wedding tasting with Hazel’s elegant appetizers and fancy, tiny desserts was exactly the kind of thing that Maddie would findveryglamorous and special. Looking at them together, it was clear that they were close. Maddie was so lucky to have two parents who loved her, in two distinct ways. Her mom, who would introduce her to society, who would bring her up to feel like shebelongedin any room she walked into, and Ryan, who would keep her kind and grounded and who always wanted the best for his daughter.
And for me. The numbness in my fingers wasn’t due to my forgotten mittens or the cold wind around the flagstone courtyard but to the shock of learning not only had he been responsible for my job, but… he’d gottenHazela job. I had asked him to bring the biscotti into his office, yes, but asking him to recommend Hazel forSarah Talford’s society wedding? No, it had been he who passed his ex-wife that business card.
I’d thought that I’d found solid ground.
I hadn’t realized that he’d been there, clearing my path.
“...because I haveanotherappointment with the wedding planner this weekend,” she was saying, rolling her eyes. “It’sendless. Anyway, you should go. I’m sure Maddie would love to have her favorite nanny along.”
“Sorry?” I asked. I hadn’t been paying attention, too distracted by my own thoughts.
“Ice skating at Central Park. I know it’s touristy, but–”
“Mom, I already asked her,” Maddie said with a pout. “She said no.”
“Oh. Well, Miss Connelly is probably very busy.”
I grimaced. My weekend plans consisted in their entirety of take-out with Edie tonight and then cleaning my apartment while Ryan was out skating with Maddie. Maybe he would take his anonymous blonde engagement party date. “I just don’t want to get in the way,” I said quietly, smiling in apology. “I doubt Ryan–” I bit my lip. “I doubt Mr. Walker wants the ex-nanny tagging along.”
“The nanny,” she said, frowning. She tilted her head to the side, an odd expression on her elegant features, and I had a momentary flash of panic.She knew.But she couldn’t. How could she?
