Page 68 of Dr. Single Dad

But it’s not. It’s Felicity from the agency.

She doesn’t even say hello. “I have the most incredible opportunity,” she blurts.

“Hi, Felicity.”

She ignores my attempt at politeness. “It’s the Lebedev family. They want you. Of course, if you’re happy where you are, I wouldn’t steal you. You know that’s not me. But I wouldn’t be looking out for the interests of one of our best nannies if I didn’t bring you the opportunity.”

“The Lebedevs?” My stomach clenches and I tense. Everyone wants to work with them. The pay is phenomenal. It’s alegendary position. When I first started at Portland and heard about the perks of the job and the salary, I never thought I’d ever have a chance to work for them. “How do they even know about me?”

“No one knows how they hear about nannies. They came to me with a few names, but you were top of their list. I told them I’d just placed you, but they begged me to put the offer forward to you.”

I never would have considered the job previously, since the role requires months of international travel. When Eddie and Dylan were young, there was no way I was prepared to do that.

But now?

“The package is incredible,” Felicity says.

“But I only just started working here.” I know the current situation isn’t sustainable. I’ve slept with my boss—it’s not like I don’t know things here are going to end badly. Either I’m going to end up fired or I’m going to quit. It’s just a question of time.

“The Lebedevs are prepared to reimburse the family of the nanny they pick for all recruitment costs.”

Money really is no object for them.

“Can I send you the job description?” Felicity asks. “And details of salary and benefits?”

I stare at the books I’ve just stacked on my windowsill. “Let me think about it.”

“What’s there to think about?” she asks. “You’re not committing to anything by looking at a job description.”

The problem is that if I find out exactly what’s on offer, the decision might be made for me. I’ve always tried to strike a balance between salary offered and how much I’ll enjoy the job, but because of Eddie and Dylan, salary normally outweighs everything else. If I see the salary for the Lebedevs, I’m pretty sure I’ll take it. Old habits die hard, and even with Eddie’s scholarship as a buffer, there are always rainy days ahead.

“Give me twenty-four hours,” I say.

I can practically hear Felicity’s eye roll. “Don’t keep them waiting too long. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

I thank her and hang up. Almost immediately I get a message. Felicity is nothing if not persistent.

But it’s not Felicity. It’s a picture of Dax and Guinevere. She’s sleeping, so clearly having a great time. It’s captioned, “We miss you. Come join us in the park!”

I glance around my room. Well, Ihavefinished unpacking. And it is my day off. I can do anything I like, right? Especially when I know there’s another job waiting for me.

In less than ten minutes, I’m at the gates of Coram’s Fields. Just as I’m about to open the gate, I spot someone familiar sitting on the bench opposite the entrance.

It’s Doreen. Guinevere’s first nanny. The woman who collapsed in the park.

I let go of the gate and walk over to her. “Hi, I’m Eira. We met here a couple of weeks ago.”

It takes a couple of seconds for her to recognize me. “Oh, yes dear. You were very kind to me. Thank you so much.”

“I see you’ve got some color back,” I say. “How are you feeling?”

I can see her attempt a smile, but it doesn’t quite work. “I’m okay. Just watching all the children come in and out. This is my favorite park and I won’t be able to come here any longer.” She sighs and her entire body sinks lower into the bench.

I take a seat next to her, looking through the iron railings into the park.

“I’m officially retired,” she says. “No more playgrounds for me.” She pats me on the hand. “I wasn’t as lucky as you. Couldn’t have my own children. That’s why I became a nanny.”

“I’m so sorry.” I don’t correct her and tell her the little boy I was with at the park wasn’t mine.

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