Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“Anna Martin, I presume?” His voice was deep and slightly rough, a perfect match for his looks.
“Yes,” I replied, my voice quivering at the end as he lifted my hand to his lips instead of shaking it.
“I’m Niccolo DeLuca. Nic,” he introduced himself, tugging me into the house and keeping possession of my hand to lead me into an office in the back.
I should have known, but he was much younger than I had expected. Most likely still in his early twenties. Holy heck, the recruiter wasn’t kidding when she said he was hot. If anything, she’d understated it. After my experience with the dad at my third interview, I’d been understandably nervous about the idea of working for a single dad. But if Nic DeLuca wanted to sexually harass me, I wasn’t sure I’d complain.
“Please have a seat,” he gestured to a small, brown leather couch.
After he helped me get settled, he dropped down onto the matching chair which was diagonally opposite from me. His legs were long enough that my bare calf brushed against his dress pants.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice.”
“It wasn’t a problem at all. I had a meeting at the agency this morning, so I was already out and about anyway,” I assured him.
“My mother fell and broke her arm about a month ago, and it brought my attention to just how much she does for Sophia and me. Unfortunately, her doctor has decided she needs surgery because the break isn’t healing the way he’d like. So, the need to find a suitable nanny for my daughter is more urgent than ever.”
His eyes softened when he talked about his mom and daughter, making him even more attractive than before. I mentally shook myself, trying to overcome his magnetic pull. “I’m sorry to hear about your mom.”
“Thanks.” He flashed me another smile before getting down to business. “The agency sent your resume over. I noticed that up until a couple months ago you were studying to become a physical therapy assistant. Have you decided not to continue with that? Because the hours I’d need you to be available aren’t conducive to a full, or even part-time, course load.”
“No, I decided that it wasn’t for me so I won’t be going back.”
“What made you decide to try nannying?”
“I love kids,” I blurted out awkwardly. “I mean, I’ve always been good with children. I started babysitting when I was twelve, volunteered at the church’s day care all throughout high school, and had planned to focus on pediatric patients as a PTA.”
“You only spent a year at college. I’m hoping whomever I hire will stay for at least several years. Sophia is only six and will most likely grow attached to her nanny. I don’t want to make any unnecessary changes to her routine once it’s settled.”
Finding the right words to explain was difficult. None of my friends or the few boys I’d tried dating in high school understood where I was coming from. It had to be done, though, so I forced the words out of my mouth. “Leaving school the way I did probably makes me seem flaky, but I swear I’m not. It just wasn’t right for me, it wasn’t what I’m really looking for in life. It might make me sound old-fashioned, but what I really see myself doing is being a wife and mother. Since I haven’t found the right guy for me yet, being a nanny makes sense. I can’t promise to stay on as Sophia’s nanny forever, but I can tell you that I’m loyal. I’ll probably grow as attached to her as she will to me, and it would be hard to leave her.”
“You’re hired.”
I felt my jaw drop as I leaned towards him. “But you haven’t even checked my references or anything,” I sputtered.
“I’m not used to anyone questioning my decisions.” His tone held a trace of steel mixed with humor, so it was hard to tell if he liked that I was questioning him, or if I should never do it again. “But, of course, the offer is subject to the background check I’ll run on you.”
Since I’d always been one to follow the rules, I didn’t have to worry he’d uncover anything and shrugged my shoulders.
“I’d like you to come back to meet Sophia tomorrow, after I’ve had the chance to talk with her about you.”
“That will be fine,” I agreed.
“And then, if all goes well, I’ll want you to move in this weekend when I’m available to help.”
“Move in?” I gasped. “I didn’t realize this was for a live-in position.”
“It is now.” Some of my shock must have shown on my face. “No need to worry, though. Not only will we have my daughter to act as a chaperone, but my mother lives upstairs.”