Page 12 of I Knew He Was Trouble
I blow out a low whistle. “So you really have four jobs?”
“I’m many things, Tyler, but a liar isn’t one of them,” she bites back.
“I wasn’t implying—” I start, then cut off my sentence since that was exactly what it sounded like I was implying. “I only meant that’s a heavy schedule to balance.”
“I manage.” She brushes a strand of her caramel-brown hair behind her ear. “What would you expect from me as a nanny?”
“You’d have to pick Evie up from school every day and make her a snack. Help her with her homework. That kind of thing. Pickup is at two-twenty. I’d pay you starting at two for your drive to the school to cover your gas expenses. I should be homeby five-thirty every day, except on Thursdays, it’s closer to six-thirty.”
Her face scrunches in concentration like she’s doing math in her head. “So, you’d need me a little over eighteen hours a week.” I nod, and her eyes move back to me. “What kind of pay are you offering with this position? I know you said you’d make it worth my while.”
I swallow hard. I did say that, but I hope she doesn’t try to drain my bank account. I got lucky with scholarships and worked an extra job throughout medical school, but I’m not a money tree. “That depends. What do you make at the two jobs you might quit?”
Kelsey gives me the number, and I sigh, knowing I need to give her an offer she can’t refuse, even if I wish there was any other option than her. As much as I hate to admit it, I need Kelsey’s help, and that might require some groveling.
“I’ll double it if you can start this Monday.”
Her eyes go wide. “You’lldoublewhat I make?”
I clench my teeth but nod.
She’s quiet for a minute, and I start to bounce my knee under the table. If she says no, I don’t have a backup plan. Sheisthe backup plan.
“I’ll do it.” She stands and walks around to my side of the table, extending her hand.
Nowshe’ll let me touch her? With her personality, I guess I shouldn’t expect anything less than Kelsey needing everything to be on her terms.
I shake her hand, trying to ignore how soft her skin feels. Apparently, I’ve missed a feminine touch in my life more than I thought if I’m thinking about the feeling of Kelsey’s fingers wrapped around mine.
I’m walking her to the door when she says, “Don’t go getting any ideas that I’m doing this because I like you. I’m only doing this for your niece…and the money.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m a doctor, not delusional.”
Reluctantly, I hand Kelsey a key to my house. The thought of her being here when I’m not around makes me feel uneasy, but like I said, I don’t have any other options.
“Thanks for agreeing to watch Evie,” I mutter. It’s the only gratitude I can offer when I feel like I’m making a big mistake.
“You won’t regret this.” Kelsey offers me a sly smile that does, indeed, have me regretting this.
At least one of my problems is solved: I have a nanny for Evie. But a new problem replaces it. I’m going to have to figure out how to muster enough patience to deal with Kelsey Anderson for the next three months.
I still can’t believe I hired Kelsey. Let alone the fact that I offered herdoublewhat she made as a barista and virtual assistant. I’m pretty sure I was swindled…or maybe blinded by my immediate need for help with Evie. We’ll go with that.
Kelsey and I have gotten on each other’s nerves since she and her friends moved in two years ago when I was still finishing up my residency. I was focused on reaching my career goal of becoming a pediatrician, and I know I wasn’t the welcoming neighbor I should have been. Once I graduated from residency and became a licensed and board-certified pediatric doctor, it felt awkward to try and start a friendship with them.
I still regret not being kinder when they moved in. After all, we’re the only people in the neighborhood under sixty. Butthen I think of how Kelsey lets her dogs pee all over my yard and glares at me every morning, and regret washes away like footprints on a beach when a giant wave hits the shore.
I need to stop letting Kelsey get in my head. Though, that may be difficult to do when she’ll be at my house five days a week.
I huff in frustration and turn my focus to the website I pulled up on my laptop again. Evie. I need to figure out everything I need to do before Tess drops her off tomorrow.
After a few quick internet searches—and what I know from my pediatric medical training—I’ve determined three things.
One: Evie needs a routine. Although, this may be a bit more difficult since she’s not used to living with me. But at least I can wake her up and put her to bed around the same time every day.
Two: I need to make sure she has time to play outside and use her imagination, which also means limiting screen time. I also need to make sure she has time with her friends to learn social skills and teach her other important things like cooperation and owning up to her mistakes.
Three: Kids eata lot. Obviously, I knew I’d need to make breakfast, pack a lunch, and make her dinner. However, I didn’t realize the amount of snacks I apparently should have on hand.
