Page 34 of A Baby Surprise For My Billionaire Boss

“Well, some of them are. He makes me omelets in the morning, and brigs me coffee in bed on the weekends. You never did that.” Tess grinned. “I mean, it would’ve been a little strange if you had, of course, but it does make for a nice change. So that part is good.”

“I’m glad,” Maddie said. “But you sound like maybe not all of it is good.”

“It just takes some getting used to,” Tess said. “He doesn’t sort his laundry.”

“Is that a big deal?”

“It doesn’t need to be, necessarily,” Tess said. “But like, the other day, for instance, he threw a bunch of my stuff into the washer with his. He said he was trying to help me out, and I’m surethat’s the truth, but it meant all my delicates went through in the same load as his blue jeans.”

“Are they all right?”

“I mean, probably. I might be imagining it, but my bras don’t feel as soft anymore. And you know how expensive they are to replace.”

“I do know.”

“It’s probably not such a big deal for you, living in that big fancy house now.”

Maddie laughed. “Just because I live in Eli’s house doesn’t mean he buys my undergarments,” she said. “I still get paid for the job of being a nanny, and that’s not exactly a six-figure income.”

“More than you were getting lifeguarding, though?”

“More than that, yes.”

“Well, that’s good, at any rate,” Tess said. “The manshouldpay you well. You know he’s one of the wealthiest tech tycoons in America, right?”

“Don’t call him a tycoon. He isn’t like that.”

“I’m serious, though. Have you looked him up online at all?”

“No.”

“He’s on all kinds of lists.”

“What do you mean? What kinds of lists?”

“Lists of the most successful businessmen in America. I can’t believe you haven’t looked him up, Maddie. Don’t you want toknow everything you can about the person you’re working for? I sure would if it was me.”

“I guess I’m learning about him the old-fashioned way,” Maddie said.

“Well, you can’t be learning much. All the articles I’ve read on the subject seem to say the same thing — he’s a total workaholic. They say he’s constantly in his office. They make it sound like a good thing, that he’s so devoted to his job, but all I could think when I read it was, of course this man needs to have a nanny. He must have no time at all to spend with his son if he spends that much of his time at work.”

“He’s not that bad,” Maddie protested. “And actually, he’s been a lot better lately.”

“What do you mean, he’s been better?”

“He was worse when I first moved in. Staying at the office until all hours. Hardly seeing his son at all. Now, though, he usually makes it home for dinner. It’s a big improvement.”

Tess frowned. “He’s changed his work habits to come home and have dinner with you?”

“Not withme, with Charlie. It doesn’t have anything to do with me.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Why on earth would it? He wants to see his son. He doesn’t care about spending time with me.”

“Okay, why do you say that as if it disappoints you, though?”

“What? You’re reading into things,” Maddie said. “Or you’re imagining something in my tone that isn’t there. I don’t have anyreason to be disappointed that Eli isn’t interested in spending spare time with me.”

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