Page 9 of The Billionaire's One-Night Stand Nanny
Ding-dong.
A half-second later, the door was swinging open on its hinges, a small but powerful force shoving through the doorway, headed straight for me.
“Daddy! I’m home!”
Maddie was home. She collided into my midsection and my heart warmed at the sight of her head against my shirt-clad chest, her arms tight around my waist and her face obscured by her light-brown hair. I planted a kiss on the top of her head before scooping Maddie up, giving her a tight hug then depositing her on the floor again. She was too heavy to hold in my arms like I had when she was younger. “Hey, ladybug,” I said, ruffling my fingers through her familiar locks.
“Stop it, Dad,” she whined, “you’ll mess my hair up.” I smiled. Maddie was my little girl, alright, but she wasn’t all that little anymore.Ten.Practically a teenager.
The sound of a throat being cleared softly echoed in the high-ceilinged foyer, and I was startled from my Maddie-induced reflection. Tally was here, too. And–
Oh. Shit.
I glanced over at Flora, who was staring at me wide-eyed, frozen to the spot in her pretty sundress and mussed hair.
Tally stood in the doorway to my–formerlyour–house, and cleared her throat softly again. “I have that d– appointment this morning, that I mentioned last week? I hope I’m not… interrupting anything.”
I closed my eyes for a fraction of a second.Right. She’d told me at last week’s exchange that she’d be dropping Maddie off a little early today. Something about a meeting. I couldn’t remember. How could I have forgotten? And of course it had to be today, of all days, that I had a woman over for the first time in too long.No,not‘too long,’I thought again, not long enough. I’d swear off one-night stands for good if it meant I could avoid having to deal withthisagain.“No, of course, I remembered,” I said, shaking my head. “I remembered. You have that… that thing. This morning.”
Tally raised an eyebrow, glancing over to Flora and back at me. “Right.” A smile flitted around her mouth, never quite coming to land. “I’m not, then? Interrupting anything?”
“No,” I said, trying my damnedest not to look suspicious. “No, we were just–”Just what?My voice creaked to a standstill. No, I wouldneveragainhave a one-night stand. “I, uh–”
“Hi!” Flora bubbled, stepping forward and extending her hand to Tally. She was several inches shorter than my ex, even in last night’s heeled sandals, and she had to look up slightly as she held her open hand out expectantly. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m the new nanny.”
CHAPTER6
Flora
Even as Igrasped the woman’s hand in mine, shaking it with my best firm grip and a I-definitely-didn’t-have-sex-with-your-ex-husband-last-night smile, I knew that I was making a terrible,terribledecision. But Ryan looked so adorably panicked, his eyes wide and round and his mouth failing entirely to come up with anything even remotely believable, as his daughter stood there looking between the two of us with a curious look on her face. If I knew ten-year-olds–and I did–Ryan only had about four seconds before she said something like, “Who is this, Dad? Your girlfriend?” and forced Ryan’s hand. I couldn’t even imagine what kind of excuse he’d come up with, faced with that question, but I felt like I could safely expect it to start with, “Um, I, uhhh…” and maybe even a nervous tug on his suddenly-too-tight collar. And what would she–Maddie, I suddenly remembered, I’d seen the name on the certificate pinned up on the refrigerator–think of her dad then?
So, yeah. I did what needed to be done. I stepped forward, taking my one-night stand’s ex-wife’s hand in mine for a brisk, confident shake. The nanny. Of course. Who else would I be?
She didn’t seem convinced.
“The nanny,” she said, one perfect, light brown brow arched over a set of sharp hazel eyes. I nodded, my smile stretching tighter.
“That’s right. Flora Connelly. And you must be Maddie’s mom. It’s so nice to meet you, Ms…” I didn’t know her last name. I didn’t knowRyan’slast name, but she didn’t need to know that.
“Talford,” she supplied, glancing over my shoulder to where I knew Ryan was standing. I hoped he wasn’t lookingtoosurprised by my announcement. “Sarah Talford.” She dropped my hand, folding her arms over her sleeveless shirt. She must be,what, adecadeolder than me, and she was beautiful in the way that rich people were: flawless skin, silky hair, pristine clothing. A handbag hung from one elbow; I recognized the brand. It probably cost more than my rent. Probably more than one month. But then, I didn’t live in a place likethis,with a butler’s pantry and a formal dining room and ayard. InManhattan. She shifted, and I realized it probably looked like I was checking her out. I blinked, meeting her hazel eyes once again. “Have you nannied before, Miss Connelly?”
Miss Connelly,like my students called me. I smiled. “I haven’t,” I said, and her eyes narrowed. “But,” I continued, straightening. “I have BAs in literature and elementary education. My master’s degree is also in elementary ed. And I have two years of teaching experience.”
“Oh?” she said, her arms dropping to her sides.
“Yes.” I glanced at Maddie. She was cute, and standing between her parents, I could see both their features reflected on her face: Ryan’s warm brown eyes peered curiously at me from over a straight, strong nose that looked distinctive and elegant on the mother, but the daughter hadn’t quite grown into. Not quite a little kid anymore, but not a preteen yet. I’d bet money that she was ten years old. “Fifth grade,” I concluded, knowing I held the winning card.
“Oh,” Ms. Talford said again, this time clearly surprised. “The nanny,” she repeated. She sounded disappointed, almost, but I wasn’t:she’d bought it. I resisted the urge to let out a sigh of relief.
“Yes. The nanny. That’s me.”
“Okay,” she said, nodding. “Well, then…” She hesitated, looking from Ryan to Maddie to me again.
“Go, Tally,” Ryan urged. “I’ll be here with her the whole time.” I wasn’t sure who he was talking about, me or Maddie, but whoever it was, it reassured his ex enough that when he said again, “Go, you don’t want to be late for your appointment,” she nodded briskly, striding past me to give her daughter a quick kiss on the forehead.
“Alright. Call me if you need me, Maddie,” she said, and the girl rolled her eyes. “Bye, Ryan. And it was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Connelly. I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you soon.”
Not like your ex-husband did.The thought sprang unbidden into my mind, making my cheeks heat, and I was thankful that she had already turned for the door. Her brown hair swished down her back as her chic flats padded across the Persian rug, and then the door was falling closed behind her.
