Page 17 of Filthy Rich Single Daddies

Her eyes meet mine, and for a split second, I catch a flash of something—surprise, then shock, followed by a flicker of anger. It happens so fast, like a storm passing through the sky. But just as quickly as it came, the emotions clear, leaving behind nothing but a blank, professional expression. It’s like I never saw anything at all.

Skylar doesn’t immediately step forward, her gaze shifting from me to the open door behind me as if she’s deciding whether or not to trust the invitation. Then she meets my eyes, and for a split second, I feel a sharp jolt of recognition—something that feels like déjà vu, but it’s gone before I can grasp it.

"Mr. Rhodes," she says, her voice cool and professional.

I extend my hand, trying to ignore the jolt of electricity that runs through me when our fingers touch. "Please, call me Cohen. Come in."

She nods slightly, her lips curving into a polite but distant smile, and steps inside. There’s a tension in the air already, and I’m not sure if it’s coming from her or from me. Or maybe it’s both of us, drawn together by the weight of this conversation.

Or, maybe it’s Austin. He’s been acting strange the last few days. I catch a glimpse of him behind her, standing just at the threshold, his jaw tight, his gaze sharper than usual. It’s like he’s silently watching, waiting for something.

I hear Theo’s voice behind me, a light greeting to Skylar, but I can’t tear my eyes away from her. Theo, ever the social one, takes a step toward her, and for a brief moment, Skylar stiffens. Her eyes flicker to him, then she steps back instinctively—smacking right into Austin’s chest.

Austin doesn’t flinch, his gaze fixed on the interaction. I watch as Theo’s expression tightens, his eyes narrowing just a little too long at Skylar. It’s a look I recognize—something between curiosity and something deeper, more personal. It unsettles me, and I feel a tightness in my chest. What the hell is going on between them?

Austin, sensing the tension, steps forward, breaking the silence. His voice is sharper than usual, more clipped. "We don’t have time for nonsense. We need to get this sorted."

I feel the shift in the air as the casual note in Austin’s tone fades, replaced with something more authoritative. He’s neverbeen one for drama, and right now, I can tell he wants this to be as smooth as possible—despite the obvious tension.

I look to Skylar, then back to Austin, offering a tight smile. I clear my throat, suddenly aware of how dry my mouth is. "So, uh, shall we sit down and discuss the details?"

Skylar nods, the same blank professionalism settling into place on her face. I can’t shake the nagging feeling that there’s so much more going on here than any of us are letting on. I feel like I'm missing something important and it’s starting to piss me off.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" I offer, more out of habit than anything else.

"No, thank you," Skylar replies, her tone clipped.

As we settle onto the couch, I notice how she sits ramrod straight, her posture screaming tension. It’s as if she’s bracing herself for something, and I wonder if it’s just the nerves of this interview, or something more personal.

Theo takes the seat next to her, a little too close, and I can’t help but notice how his gaze lingers on her, like he’s drawn to her in some way he still hasn’t fully understood. He can’t seem to keep his eyes off of her and he isn’t even bothering to hide his attention. Her eyes flick to him every now and then, like she’s trying to make sure he hasn’t somehow moved closer. I’ve never seen him like this—not with anyone.

Austin and I used to enjoy the draw our family name had on women—nothing serious, just fun and the kind of casual connections that came with our lives. But Theo...he’d always been different. While Austin and I reveled in the freedom and opportunity, Theo never chased. He’d participate, but he always kept his distance, as if there was a reason he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—get too close.

And now, watching the way his gaze lingers on Skylar, I'm wondering if I'm looking at the reason why.

The air between them crackles with unspoken history, and I feel a sudden, unexpected tightness in my chest. What the hell is going on here?

Austin drops into an armchair across from us, arms folded, his jaw tight, and his gaze cutting in and out of Skylar's direction. He’s been quiet since she arrived, and I can feel the tension thickening with every second that passes.

He clears his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Let's go over the schedule, shall we?" His tone is clipped, professional, but there's an edge to it that I've rarely heard from my usually composed brother.

"We, uh, really need someone right now," I begin, trying to break the silence, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. "After, well…everything with the last nanny, we’re kind of scrambling to find someone who can fit in and keep things running smoothly."

Skylar tilts her head slightly, acknowledging my words without giving away much. "I understand. I mean, I was there to witness that fiasco, so I really do understand. I’m confident I can handle whatever’s needed."

I clasp my hands tightly in my lap, feeling more on edge with every passing second. "We’re...we're in a tough spot. Elodie’s needs are pretty specific, and we need someone who can step in and not just care for her but understand how to handle the unpredictability that comes with her."

Austin shifts in his seat, obviously done with the pleasantries. His voice comes out sharp, cutting through the growing tension in the room. "We need someone who can start, like, yesterday."

I keep my focus on Skylar, watching for any signs of discomfort. There’s a lot of unknowns here, but we don’t have the luxury of being picky.

"I can start immediately," she says without hesitation, her face a mask of professionalism. But I notice the flicker in her eyes—there’s something else behind that calm demeanor.

I swallow down the growing frustration I feel, trying to keep it together. "All right, let’s talk specifics, then."

I can see Theo’s interest piquing. His usual cool exterior seems a little less under control now, and his focus is entirely on Skylar, like he’s waiting for her to say something—anything—that will give him the answers he’s looking for.

I shoot him a quick look, but he doesn’t even acknowledge it.

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