He dips his head. “The last page has your weekly rate.”
I flip to the last page and do a double take.
“Sir, I think there’s a typo on the amount.”
He rounds the desk, looking over my shoulder. He’s so close that I get a whiff of his cologne. Gah, he still smells so good.
“It’s not a mistake.”
I look up at him. “What?”
“It’s not a mistake. That is what I pay. If it’s too low, write your requirement and I’ll make it happen.”
I turn in my seat, still looking up at him, “But it’s too much!”
“I will demand your time nearly every day of the week. This is more than fair.”
I know we’re talking about the job, but that doesn’t stop my mind from going to all sorts of dirty places.
Focus Lili!
Finally, I say, “This is more than fair. Thank you.”
Turning toward the desk, I reach for a pen and sign the contract before handing it to him.
“Would you like me to meet the children now, or should I unpack? Oh! And is there a uniform?”
“What you have on is fine.”
“Great.”
He says, “I’ll show you where your room is and then let you meet the children. You can unpack once they’re down for the night.”
I nod my understanding and follow him from the study, going to the stairway. Not much has changed since I was here last. Dr. Santos takes me to the room next to the nursery, opening the door. Inside, I find a double bed, dresser, and door that I know leads to the bathroom and closet.
“I ask that you don’t punch holes in my walls by hanging family photos or things like that.”
I nod, because, other than my baby, I don’t have family. And I know hanging a photo of her would be a bad idea.
“Of course, sir.”
He says, “I’ll let you meet the children.”
We go back to the hallway, where he leads me to the room across the hall from mine. Inside, I spot two dark-haired children playing on the floor. The boy glances up at me and then scurries into a tent. The girl stands, crossing the room.
“Who are you?”
Before I can speak, Dr. Santos says, “Clara. Diego. This is your new nanny, Nanny W.”
It takes everything in my power not to roll my eyes. My god. Does he even hear how it sounds calling me that? Lili would have been so much better.
Clara eyes me before saying, “Nice to meet you, Nanny W. I hope you’re nicer than Nanny Shockley.”
I squat so I’m eye level to Clara and hold out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Clara, but we’ve met before.”
“We have?”
I nod. “But you were just a little baby.”