Page 10 of Summer Fling
I grimaced. "I don't want to do anything that would jeopardize my time with Lilliana."
His secretary knocked and came in with a note. Ashton read it, then set it aside as his assistant closed the door softly behind her. "I get that, but you have to do this. If not now, it's just going to get worse."
I sighed, because on some level I knew he was right. I was delaying the inevitable.
He waved a hand. "The other issue is that you have a woman living with you."
"She's Lilliana's nanny," I said, my jaw tight, not liking him focusing on Blake.
"Oakley's not going to describe her that way."
"So what are you saying?" I asked, dread seeping into my gut.
"It would be better if she was your girlfriend or even your fiancée. Oakley couldn't complain about her living with you then."
"You're saying that I need to be engaged to my nanny?" I asked skeptically.
"I said it would help your situation. Then she's no longer your employee; she's the woman you're dating. People would expect her to be in Lilliana's life, and her record is impeccable. She's studying childhood psychology, and she's worked various nannying jobs where her past employers rave about her."
"She's amazing." I knew that with her only being in my house for a day.
He sat in his chair to type something into the computer. "Why don't you think about it and get back to me? In the meantime, I can file this paperwork for custody and visitation. It will bring stability to your life."
"That sounds good."
Ashton pulled out his legal pad again. "Let's go over a few details about how things are going now. How often is Lilliana with you?"
"Oakley drops her off when she has to work, she's going out with friends, or has an appointment. Honestly? I've stopped listening to her explanations. I'm just happy to have my daughter. Oakley usually wants her back if her mother is visiting. I think she wants the appearance of being a mother, but not any of the work." I was a little surprised that Oakley had lost interest in being a mother, but it allowed me to step up and be the father I wanted to be.
Ashton scribbled something on the pad and underlined it several times. "She's banking on you not wanting to go to court."
"What will happen if we go to court? As the mother, will she get full custody, and I'd be relegated to every other weekend? I like having more time with Lilliana."
"There's always a risk when you go to court. But there's a good chance that, before that happens, you could renegotiate a schedule that works for both of you."
"I'll think about it."
"In the meantime, why don't you work on setting boundaries around exchanges? If what she’s doing isn’t convenient for you, then let her know."
"What if she wants to take Lilliana, and it's our time?”
"Tell her it doesn't work for you. It's your time, and you have plans with Lilliana."
I stretched my neck, unsure if I would be able to do that. "You don't think she'll get mad?"
"I've found that people tend to follow boundaries when we set them," Ashton said firmly.
I knew he was frustrated with my hesitation. It was what I admired about him as an attorney. He didn't take shit from anyone, and I needed to do that too. "I hope you're right."
"If she calls and wants you to take Lilliana, your answer is always yes, and when she wants her back, make sure it's a convenient time for you. This will be an adjustment for both of you. Try to remain calm when you're explaining this change to Oakley. Don't let her get to you."
"I'll do my best." For the first time, I was seriously considering taking his advice.
"Keep your head up. This is where we want to be. She's relying on you for the majority of the caretaking. Now you have to emerge as the stable choice for Lilliana. You're building a home with Blake."
"If I convince Blake to be my fiancée, what do we do when the case is over?" I asked, genuinely curious about what he was thinking.
"You break up. Relationships end, but you do it in a mature, calm way. No drama. No mess."
