Page 9 of I Knew He Was Trouble
“Mallory Porter.” She gives him an appraising look. “I don’t like you.”
“Noted.” His jaw ticks like he’s trying not to set her off with any kind of physical reaction.
When he turns to me expectantly, I shoot him an exasperated look. “You already know my name.”
“Only Kelsey. You know my firstandlast name, so it’s only fair I know yours.”
I stare him down, unwilling to blink first. When his eyelids close for the briefest second, I smile in satisfaction, knowing that I won even if he didn’t know what game we were playing.
Shayna looks back and forth between us, obviously uncomfortable and wanting to play peacemaker. “Tyler Reed, meet Kelsey Anderson.”
“Anderson,” he murmurs, like he’s test-driving a car.
I don’t like the sound of my last name coming out of his mouth one bit.
“All right, now that you know our names, what kind of situation are we talking about?” Mallory jumps right in, asking the question we all want the answer to—well, at least I do.
He runs his hand along his neck. “It turns out I need a nanny for a few months for my five-year-old niece. I called every babysitting service I could find earlier today, and they all laughed me off the phone or just hung up on me when I told them I needed someone to start Monday. Who knew nannies were booked up so far in advance?”
Tyler lets out a breathy laugh. “So, that’s why I’m here. I know you all work, but I wanted to see if any of you have room in your schedule to pick up my niece from school and watch her until I get home from work. I know we’re just neighbors, but you’re the only people I know in this city aside from my sister and coworkers.”
“I wish I could help.” Alyssa frowns, obviously feeling bad for the predicament he’s in. “I’m a hairdresser, and my schedule stays pretty booked, so I wouldn’t be available every day.”
“Me neither,” Mallory says. “I’m a teacher, but I help with tutoring after school a few days a week.”
Shayna sighs. “I work full-time at a flower shop, so I can’t help either.”
Everyone turns to me, and I can tell my friends are reining back smiles at the irony that Tyler Reed needs help, and I’m the only one who can give it.
“I already work four jobs,” I say.
Alyssa shoots me a look and then whispers in my ear, “They’re flexible, though.”
Do I work four jobs? Yes.
But could I rearrange my schedule to help Tyler? Also yes.
“Plus, she was a nanny and dog sitter throughout college,” Shayna adds. “So, she’d be perfect for the position.”
Tyler’s eyes narrow slightly like he’s trying to get a read on me. “You workfourjobs?”
“Yeah, but depending upon how much pay we’re talking about here, I might be able to quit one or two of them.”
“Kels.” Alyssa nudges my arm.
“What? He always leaves the house in scrubs; we all know he’s a doctor.”
Mallory snorts.
Tyler covers his mouth to stifle the sound of surprised laughter, but I hear it, and I feel oddly satisfied that I was the reason for it. He rubs a hand across his jawline, drawing my gaze to the shadow of stubble covering it. I swallow hard and stare him down.
Shayna steps between us, offering a calming presence and a kind smile. “How about you two meet up in the morning? Youcan sleep on it and come together with fresh eyes and discuss what the job would entail.”
Tyler nods and turns to me. “Wanna come by around eight? We can talk numbers and details then, but I’d make it worth your while. I know I’m asking a lot here, especially at the last minute.”
“Works for me,” I say.
“I’ll see you then, Kelsey Anderson.”
