Page 22 of Doughn't Let Me Go

With the island being such an old community, all the houses I looked at needed major updates, which ended up working out perfectly for me. The remodel was going to take several months, and I didn’t want Kyrie to start the school year on one coast and finish it on another. So, I hired a designer, gave her my list of requirements, and let her make it happen while I got my affairs in order back in California.

I told Kyrie at Christmas that’d we be moving when summer came around.

After some initial reluctance, not a day went by that she didn’t bring it up. I think she actually wanted out of California just as badly as I did.

“Did you have a chance to look over the paperwork last night?” I ask Fran, pulling open the cabinet above the coffee machine.

“I did.”

“Any questions?” I pour her a cup of coffee. “Cream or sugar?”

“Yes, please.”

I leave room in the mug, replace the pot, and head to the fridge for the creamer.

“No questions from me. Everything was very straightforward and detailed.”

I smile at her, sliding her coffee and fixings across the counter. “I can’t take any credit for that. It’s all Mel.”

“I bet you’re sorry to lose her. I feel like I have some big shoes to fill.”

“Nervous?” I ask, brow raised.

She sits up straighter, pushing her shoulders back. “No.”

I grin. “Good. That’s what I like to hear. So what’s on the agenda today?”

“You have a phone call with a Bernard at nine. Then you’re free until you need to meet with your potential nannies starting at ten. Up first is—”

I hold up my hand, cutting her off. “No names, please.”

“Sir?”

“It’s a thing of mine,” I explain. “I don’t like to know names of potential hires until the very last moment. I feel like the less I know about them, the less likely I’ll be inclined to hire them based off my preconceived notions. First impressions mean a lot to me, and I don’t want my judgment to be clouded.”

She nods. “I like that. Keeps things fair.”

“Exactly. So I’ll need you to text me about five minutes prior to the first interview. All I need is a first and last name so I know what to call them. That’s it. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Just a first and last name? No pictures so you know it’s really them?”

“God no.” I wince. “I made that mistake before. I won’t do it again.”

Her lips pull up. “I assume that has to do with that NDA I signed.”

“Yes.”

She chuckles. “Fair enough. Is there anything you’d like me to help with while I’m here today?”

“Actually…” My eyes drift to the boxes stacked near the stairs leading to the second deck. “I wouldn’t mind if we could work on organizing my office a bit.”

Other than the fact that the house sits along the coastline, the other thing that drew me to it was the second deck.

It’s one giant room with the perfect view of the water. The moment I stepped foot inside it, I could see myself spending my nights in there getting caught up on work.

The previous owner used this as the master bedroom. I don’t blame them, but with my rule about not taking work to bed, I don’t mind making the sacrifice of downgrading to the smaller bedroom on the main floor. We had to do some rearranging to give me an en suite down there, but we made it work.

Her eyes follow mine, and I see the excitement in them.

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