Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“I invited Kim yesterday during the playdate with Winnie. I thought it would be a good place to introduce her to everyone. I decided to hire her to be Winnie’s nanny.”
Harper nodded. “That’s what Aurora said. That was a fast decision.”
I nodded. “Yeah. I think she’s the perfect fit. I know her, trust her, and she’ll do a great job with Winnie.”
Harper cleared her throat. “Okay, but why is she here tonight? To take care of Winnie?”
I cleared my throat. “Well, no, I thought it would be nice to have her meet everyone.”
Harper’s gaze went from Kim and Aurora to me. She lowered her voice even more. “Liam, do you think that’s a good idea? I mean, she’s going to be your employee, and you invited her to hang out with your friends. You don’t think that might blur the lines for her?”
“Blur the lines? What do you mean?”
Harper motioned for us to step away from the small group to speak more privately.
“I’m just saying,” Harper stated. “You once dated this woman. Now she’s your nanny.”
Annoyed, I asked, “Yes? Your point is?”
“She hasn’t even started her position, and you invited her to have dinner with you and to a movie night with your friends. If she isn’t here to take care of Winnie, then she thinks she’s here on a personal level.”
“That’s nonsense. She is going to be Winnie’s nanny, and that is all. I invited her since she’ll be interacting with each of you. I’m sure she understands that.”
When I looked back at Kim, she smiled and did a small wave. Shit. Shit. Shit. Did Kim think I invited her here because I was interested in her on a more personal level?
Harper leaned in. “I don’t think she got that memo, Liam.”
“No, she can’t think that.” I faced Harper. “Do you think she thinks that?”
Harper nodded. “Well, since I’ve already met her, I’ll go re-introduce myself.”
She headed toward Kim and extended her hand. “Hi! I’m Harper Gallagher, we met the other day during your interview.”
Kim gave Harper a pleasant smile. “It’s so nice to see you again, Harper.”
“Same. My husband Declan will be here soon.”
“Is Winnie finished eating?” Aurora asked me.
“I believe she is,” I replied.
Aurora bounced Winnie in her arms as she spoke to her. “Should we go play for a bit, then take a bath?”
Winnie cupped Aurora’s face and replied, “Yes, pwease.”
Kim quickly took Winnie from Aurora’s arms, leaving the latter surprised, and if I was being honest, myself as well.
“I’ll take her to give her a bath and get her ready for bed.”
Harper cleared her throat, then looked at Aurora, who was staring at Kim with daggers.
Aurora looked annoyed when she asked, “Do you know where the bathroom is?”
Kim smiled at Winnie. “Oh, Liam will show me. Right, Liam?”
“Actually, Kim, Aurora came over early to play with Winnie, and I think Winnie would enjoy that. I’ll give you a tour of the house while they play.” Facing Harper, I added, “Make yourself at home and do what you need to start setting up for movie night.”
Kim looked stunned. Aurora looked relieved, and Harper…well, she was clearly trying not to smile.
Aurora took Winnie back and headed up the steps, Kim watching them until they turned the corner. She turned back to me and said, “I guess I don’t officially start until Monday. You did invite me over for movie night.”
Kim let out a soft laugh, and I wanted to groan. Harper had been right. I was giving Kim the wrong idea.
“You can give me a house tour later, Liam. Let me help you clean up the kitchen.”
“How about we do the tour now, so that on your first day, you’ll be able to jump right into caring for Winnie.”
She smiled and wrapped her arm in mine and said, “That is a great idea.”
Harper looked between us, then cleared her throat. “Right, I’ll just go clean up the kitchen before setting up.”
“Harper, you don’t have to clean up,” I said.
“It’s not a problem at all. Go give Kim the tour.”
Why did I suddenly feel like this was very, very wrong. It was too late to uninvite Kim, so I might as well just get the tour over with.
“Well, I’ll show you the guest bedroom first,” I said, pulling my arm from Kim’s and motioning for her to go up the steps first.
“If you ever need to stay the night, this would be the room you could sleep in.”
We stepped inside and Kim let out an, “Oh!” She walked farther into the room and turned around. “This is beautiful. I almost wish I were a live-in nanny.”
I chose not to respond to that.
The guest room was decorated in blues and yellows, Hope’s favorite colors. The walls were painted light yellow cream, and the queen-sized sleigh bed had a soft blue and yellow quilt that Hope’s grandmother had made years ago.