Page 10 of Foster

I accept the handshake. “Yes, hi. But everyone calls me Mazzy.”

Tilting his head as if to consider my name, he grins. “I like that. Come on in.”

I step over the threshold and look around at the large open foyer filled with light, plants and framed landscape art. “You’ve got a beautiful home, Mr. McInnis.”

“Foster, please,” he says gruffly, and leads me into the kitchen. “Mr. McInnis makes me feel old.”

He heads to the refrigerator and pulls out a bottle of water, glancing over his shoulder at me. “Would you like something to drink? I’ve got water, and well… just water, or I can make you coffee or tea.”

“I’m good,” I reply and take a seat at the large island done in white granite with black veins, flecked with silver. The entire kitchen is white except for the backsplash, which is a wall of charcoal-gray subway tile.

Foster moves around the island and takes the chair next to me. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. I was so relieved when Brienne Norcross had a personal recommendation for a nanny for me, but I have a few questions for you.”

“Actually,” I say, cutting in, “I think I need to be up front with you that I interviewed for a job yesterday that I’m strongly considering. In fact, not just strongly considering. I’ve decided to accept it, but I have to work out a few scheduling details with them.”

“But you haven’t officially accepted?” he prompts.

“No, but I guess I just need to be clear. It’s a good job and I’m going to.”

“How do you know my job isn’t better?” he asks. “And I figure you must have some interest or you wouldn’t be here.”

I incline my head, because he’s got a point. “I was just fulfilling a favor to Brienne Norcross through my former employers and I figured I might be able to help you find someone or give you some pointers on what to look for.”

Foster uncaps his bottle of water and takes a swallow. I try not to notice the way his throat moves or the broad chest or muscled arms showcased in a Pittsburgh Titans T-shirt. He’s got on workout shorts and his legs are tanned, well-muscled and…

I blink again, clearing my throat. “What exactly are you looking for?”

Foster sighs and rests an arm on the countertop, swiveling his stool to face me. “It’s a bit complicated, but short story is that I’m seeking full custody of my daughter, Bowie Jane—”

“Oh, cute name!”

He grins. “Thanks. Nod to David Bowie, obviously. At any rate, my ex-wife, Sandra, and I have shared custody since the divorce. Bowie Jane lives with her mom in San Francisco. We’ve made it work where I get summers and then see her as much as I can during the season.”

“What’s changed?”

“Sandra has it in her mind that she’s relocating to Singapore to follow a boyfriend and she wants to take my daughter with her. That’s a big no for me and my attorney managed to get an emergency hearing in front of a judge who’s issued an order blocking her from going.”

I frown at him. “So, what’s the problem? Why are you seeking full custody?”

“Because I think Sandra is going to go anyway and my attorney said if she takes Bowie Jane out of the country, despite a judge’s order, there’s not much that can be done to get her back. Or at least, it’s going to be a brutal fight that could take months and months. I want to prevent that so I’m seeking full custody and that’s why I need a nanny, to help me with her when I’m working, especially travel days. It’s probably a lot different from what you’re used to, but I promise, the pay would be commensurate.”

“But you’re offering me a job that you don’t even know would come to fruition. I mean, I sure hope you get awarded custody, but you might not, right?”

Foster’s jaw tightens, a possibility I can tell he doesn’t even like to consider. “The hearing is Monday morning and it’s going to be via Zoom for her and her attorney to attend. I’ve been told I’ve got a good shot at getting full custody, especially since in the emergency hearing yesterday, Sandra was so insistent on needing to go to Singapore for her career.”

I don’t bother asking what that career could be. It’s irrelevant. “Still… you really don’t have a job for me at this point. And I’ve got a good offer on the table that fits my needs exactly.”

“Look,” Foster says, leaning slightly forward, his gaze penetrating mine. “I already talked to the Hamberlys, and their recommendation of you could not be any more glowing. I don’t know what you’ve been offered for this new position or what the job entails, but whatever it is, I’ll beat it. In fact…” Foster reaches across the counter and nabs a checkbook sitting there. He opens it and I watch as he puts my name as the payee and signs the check. Tearing it out, he slides it across the counter toward me. “This will be a signing bonus. You can fill in the amount.”

I quickly push the check back to him. “You’re crazy.”

“Determined. Name your price.”

“That’s not my style,” I say, my head spinning with how hard he’s working to seal the deal. “I’m not saying I’ll consider your offer, but what would the job entail? You travel… a lot. Would Bowie Jane and I travel with you?”

Foster shakes his head. “No. She’s ten and has school. You’d be here as her sole caretaker. You’d have the support of the other hockey moms on the team, especially to give you days off as needed. They apparently have some sort of babysitting club going.”

“Live-in?” I ask.

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