Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
“What?”
“He’s offering a fifty percent pay bump, permanent, if you can start before the end of the week.”
My eyes widen at that juicy morsel. “Really?”
Serenity nodded.
I wanted to jump on this opportunity, to grab it with both hands, but experience had told me to look all gift horses in the mouth. “What’s the catch?”
She sighed, but her smile never wavered. “Caught that, did you?”
I nodded and folded my arms, the salary bump all but vanishing before my eyes. “What is it?”
“He’s, well… let’s just say grumpy and leave it at that.”
Grumpy? “I can handle that, since hopefully I won’t have to interact with him that much right?”
“That’s exactly what I knew our resident optimist would say. Everyone seems grumpy next to you, so I doubt you’ll notice anything except your growing bank account.”
“Fair point. When’s the interview?”
“He wants you to start ASAP. I’ll send you a message after I contact the Dad. Just please, don’t dress sexy.”
My head fell back and laughter spilled out of me. “I doubt I even have any clothes that any person would consider sexy.” I haven’t been on a date in more than two years, and that was just fine with me.
“With those curves most things look sexy on you,” Serenity said sincerely.
“Thanks, but my last date told me, on our first date, that I’d be pretty if I lost a little weight.”
Serenity’s eyes widened in horror. “He didn’t!”
“He did. And I’ve spent too many of my twenty-five years hating my body and wishing for something unattainable, which God gave my beauty queen older sister in spades.” My shoulders sagged at the mention of my older sister, and my parents who practically worshipped her. “Anyway, no worries about me dressing sexy. I’ll have on a different version of this,” I motioned to my jeans and t-shirt.
“I said don’t dress sexy on the job, but you’re still young, and too young to give up on love.”
I arched a brow at her well meaning advice. “How old were you when you gave up?”
“Point taken,” she said around a smile. “But you still have everything it takes to be a good partner and parent with the right man. It would be a waste of all your sunshine not to share it.”
“I haven’t given up,” I finally admitted. “But when the right man comes along, he won’t mind my curves, casual clothes or my optimism. Until then, I’m focused on my career.” And this pay bump might allow me to save enough to start my life by buying a small house, then I could accept full-time nanny assignments that don’t require me to live on site.
“That works out well for me, and I plan to take full advantage of it.” She set the tablet containing the family’s information on the desk and sighed. “I’ll hold off on the other family until after your interview with Grumpy Dad. Their nanny is leaving in two weeks, so they’re more flexible.”
I laughed. “Is that what we’re calling him?”
“Not to his face,” she said with a wink and a conspiratorial smile.
“Thanks, Serenity.” I tried not to get my hopes up, but the truth was, I was already tallying up my savings after one year on the job.
Chapter 4
Dante
“Listen Ricardo. I’ve heard you out, and now it’s your turn to listen. Under no circumstances are you going to add one of your boy toy’s designs to my clothing line. Tell me you understand.” I pinched the bridge of my nose and clenched my jaws to avoid blowing up at my creative director. The man was the best at what he did, putting out ads that increased sales and drew attention to the brand. But right now he was getting on my nerves.
“I understand Dante and you know I love you, but just consider it. Sven isn’t just a boy toy, he’s a talented designer. I sent you his portfolio, so please, look for yourself. Gotta go. Toodles.”
The call ended, and though I was grateful it was over, his abrupt ending pissed me off after he spent fifteen minutes begging for something I wasn’t inclined to give. My temples throbbed, I rubbed them in small circles and silently begged the pain to go away. I didn’t have time for a headache.
As if to taunt me, the doorbell chose that moment to ring and my eyes fell shut. There was never a moment of peace or quiet, never a down moment to just relax with nothing to do. The bell sounded again and I groaned.
“Dotty!” The housekeeper had been doing double, okay triple duty lately, and I knew I was putting too much on her, but the stupid doorbell was about to drive me mad.
Dotty didn’t answer, and when the bell rang for a third time, I shoved out of my office chair and marched to the front door, ready to unleash my frustration on whomever stood at my doorstep. I yanked the door open with so much force it smacked against the frame and bounced back. “What in…what are you doing here?”