Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
I’m dreaming.
I must be dreaming.
There is no way Delilah is saying these words and actually means them.
No way.
“Look, I get it, you’re staring at me like I’ve lost it and I know why. You don’t trust me, and why should you? I haven’t done right by Hugh, Star, or you. I’m not standing here telling you I’m going to suddenly change. I’m not. This is my life and I like my life, what I’m telling you is I now see it in a different light and I don’t want to go down the road of becoming so emotionless and cold that I don’t see others around me. Believe it or not, as a child I was incredibly compassionate, and I want my daughter to be raised in the same way.”
I nod, because honestly, I’m still speechless.
“I want you to stay on with me. I know you’re going to be on Hugh’s side, and I want you to know I have no intention of taking Star away from him. I have a busy job and I want her with people who love her when I’m not around. So, I came up with a plan that I think might work for everyone.”
“Look, Delilah, what you’re saying is wonderful and I appreciate it so much, but I’m not a liar and I’m not a dishonest person, so before you go on, I need you to know that I was with Hugh last night. I’m not telling you to hurt you, I’m telling you because it’s just the person I am. I’m not going to work for you, for him, for anyone, with a lie hanging over my head.”
She swallows, and then nods. “I figured as much, and if I’m being honest, it does hurt a little but mostly because I’m let down that we couldn’t make it work. I feel like I’ve let Star down, but the truth is, Hugh and I were never going to make it and we both knew it. I wanted to try, I did, but our worlds will never fit together. My parents hated him, my friends hated him, and in the end, I treated him the way they saw him.”
I’m still convinced I’m dreaming.
“But I appreciate you telling me the truth, and that’s one of the reasons I want you to work for me. You are honest, Maggie, and it’s refreshing. I need some of that in my life and I most certainly want it in Star’s.”
I swallow. “Well, I appreciate it, but we need to discuss it with Hugh because he has a right to make decisions, too.”
She nods. “Yes, that’s why I’m here.”
“I’ll get him.”
“Don’t need to get me, already heard it all.”
I turn to see Hugh walking out, freshly showered and dressed, leather jacket on ready to go. He walks over to Star and takes her out of my arms. She smiles up at him in a way that makes my heart do a pitter patter. He kisses her and oh, my word.
“Well, considering you heard, I’ll get right to the point,” Delilah goes on. “I want to do half and half with Star, one week she is with you, one week she is with me, but on those weeks, Maggie comes where she is. I know it’s hard, and she’s only a baby, but I want her growing up knowing she’s loved from ... both worlds.”
Hugh studies Delilah, looking about as confused as I am about this change of heart. “I’m down with that, Delilah, but my issue is that right now, you’re calm and rational but I wonder what will happen when you’re not ...”
Delilah nods. “I figured you’d say that, so, we’re going in today to get it drawn up and signed, so nobody can change their mind.”
Jesus.
“But, I want Maggie to be on board, before we do. I don’t want two different nannies in each house, I want her, and I want to know she is with Star all the time. It’s the only way I’ll feel comfortable about her being ... near the club.”
Hugh grunts. “My club will do nothin’ but protect her.”
“I know that, Hugh, but she’s my daughter, and if I didn’t have a little hesitation, then I wouldn’t be a good mom.”
She makes a point.
“Maggie?” Hugh asks. “Call is yours.”
I mean, of course I want to be around Star all the time, and I want to keep my job. That means going back and forth. I’m assuming Delilah will get her own place and I’ll be living there half the time, that means continuing to attend the country club, seeing those other nannies, and being in a world where I really don’t fit in.
“I know you’re worried about the way you were getting treated,” Delilah says, as if reading my mind. “But I assure you, Maggie, nobody will treat you like that again. I’ll make sure of it. You have my word.”