Page 14 of Never Bargain with the Boss

“Thank you,” I say with a sigh of relief, choosing to not be offended by the shock laced through his compliment. “I’m not a chef by any means, but I can whip up a few things.”

Cameron’s reaction seems to entice Grace to dig in too, though she’s decidedly less delicate than her father with it. “Hey, it is good!” Her surprise is palpable, her eyes widening and her lips lifting into a closed-mouth smile as she chews.

As we eat, Cameron asks Grace about her day and I stay quiet so as not to intrude on their father-daughter time more than I already am. And also to get a better read on my new employer.

“How was school today?” Cameron asks.

Grace throws her head back and groans. “Looong, but I got a 92 on my history test.”

“Great job!” Cameron praises. “Congratulations, honey. You’ve improved your math grade too?”

“Yep.”

Like he can feel the weight of my gaze, he meets my eyes over Grace’s head, and I smile at him. He’s an engaged, involved dad, that much is clear, and he’s risen several notches in my estimation in only the last few minutes. It’s like he can read my thoughts on him, though, because he arches his brow, staring back at me cockily.

After dinner, to my complete astonishment, Cameron offers to do the dishes while Grace gets in the shower. “You cooked. The least I can do is clean up.” I gape at him, open-mouthed, and he frowns. “You don’t have to look so shocked. I’m not a total asshole.”

“I didn’t say total,” I argue, not disputing the asshole part, but I do soften the blow with a tiny smile, and he chuckles a bit, which feels like a big win from the serious man. “Do you eat leftovers? I can package up the rest of the chicken for your lunch tomorrow so you don’t go hungry again?”

It’s his turn to look stunned. “That’s kind of you, but save it for your lunch tomorrow. Jeannie, my assistant, usually orders me something. Today just got away from me.”

We work side-by-side, getting everything put away, then he leans against the counter and crosses his arms. I can virtually feel the interrogation beginning and I square up my shoulders for whatever he’s about to hit me with.

“You running away, screaming yet?”

Puzzled, I reply, “Of course not. Who have you had working for you?”

I’m truly confused. Yes, he’s uptight, and yes, Grace is exuberant, but there have been no flaming red flags telling me to run yet. And I’m really good at spotting those, even when they’re subtle or hidden.

“The last nanny’s name was Beatrice. She came with great references, from a top agency. She was trying to make Grace feel better about failing her math test but ended up quitting on the spot after Grace point-blank asked if acting as her chauffeur, spending hours flipping through Instagram, and whining about her cheating boyfriend were her definition of greatness.” When my jaw drops, he adds, “That’s an actual quote, not an exaggeration.”

“What the hell?” I mutter, unable to stop the words before they fall past my lips. “The sweet little girl I hung out with yesterday at Cole’s and who was helpful, kind, and hilarious today did that?” I point toward the stairs where Grace disappeared like he must be talking about a different kid.

Maybe she has an evil twin?

Cameron looks toward where Grace disappeared to, nodding. “Yeah, my daughter is amazing. Of that, there’s no doubt. But she’s also not for the weak.” The tiniest of smiles, so small I’m not sure it even qualifies as one, lifts his lips and he looks like he’s quite pleased with who Grace is. Which makes sense since it sounds like she’s a chip off the old block. When I don’t quit on the spot, he drops the defensive placement of his arms, seeming relieved that I’m not bailing after only three hours of work with her.

“Apparently, neither am I. You’ll be glad to know that Cole gave me quite the talking to about treating you right.”

I knew I was right about Cole. Terrifying, but kind. Like a Care Bear trapped inside the Grim Reaper, a Scare Bear, if you will. He would probably kill me if I told him that, so I vow tokeep that to myself. Or… I could tell Grace and let her tell Cole. He wouldn’t hurt a hair on Grace’s head, that much is for sure.

“I appreciate that, Cameron, but it’s not necessary. I’m a tough cookie. I can take a hard interview and deal with a difficult parent.” I arch a brow, waiting to see how he handles the softball I just threw into the air.

He tilts his head, peering at me curiously, and I can almost feel him calculating my existence like I’m the sum of numbers on a spreadsheet. “You are not what I first suspected.”

“Better?” I tease, mirroring his head tilt with my own and batting my lashes. After his obviously negative judgments yesterday, I feel like I’ve earned a few kudos from the man. I did keep his daughter alive for both an afternoon and an evening and didn’t even poison him a little bit with salmonella-chicken.

“Better.” From such an exacting man, it seems like high praise, and instead of saying ‘I told you so’, I simply grin. Granted, it’s a shit-eating grin, so what I’m thinking is pretty obvious, but I don’t actually say it, which still counts as not rubbing his nose in my awesomeness. At least in my book. “In his defense, Cole mostly wants to make sure I don’t run you off because he appreciates your help with Emmett. I don’t know if you recognize what a big deal it is that he handed over his baby to you.”

“Of course I do,” I exclaim, recoiling. “It’s a big deal for any parent.”

“Yeah, but Cole’s… well, Cole.”

He seems to think that’s explanation enough, and in a way, it is. I’ve dealt with lots of parents, but Cole is one of the more intense ones I’ve worked with. “And you’re… you,” I challenge. “Family ties run deep and all.”

“Touché.”

He doesn’t seem offended, but rather, flabbergasted by my willingness to go toe-to-toe with him, which makes me wonderif he’s used to everyone cowering before him like he’s some monstrous meanie. If so, he’s got another thing coming with me. I don’t cower, nor do I show weakness. I stand straight and face monsters head-on.

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