Page 17 of Protecting the Boundary
I glance at Romel, and my gut tightens at the pure love on his face for his daughter. His lips are slightly lifted in the smallest smile, and his eyes shine more than I’ve seen them so far. He nods at all the right places in her story and asks her follow-up questions as if he understands every word she’s said. It’s endearing and softens me further toward him.
“Kay, why don’t you run upstairs and pick out some clothes for today, okay?” he says.
She nods and leaves the table, running out of the room with an energy that makes me envious.
“We need to talk,” I say, using the opportunity of Kay out of the room to address the issue that’s been bothering me for a long time. My skin heats as adrenaline races through my bloodstream. I hate confrontation, but I’ll call him out on his crap if that’s what it takes for us to find our footing because this isn’t sustainable.
He crosses his arms. “Is everything okay with Kay?”
Of course he thinks this is about Kay. I actually love that she’s always his first priority. It’s another attractive trait of his, but my attraction to him is the least of my concerns right now. “Everything with Kay is fine, but everything with you and me is not. I’m trying really hard not to overstep since the pool incident, and then the ceramic bear, but I feel like I’m walking on eggshells and I can’t do anything right as far as you’re concerned.” His brows furrow and he opens his mouth to speak, but I barrel on. “I want to do my job. I want to be here for Kay. She’s amazing and I love hanging out with her when you have to work, but it’s hard when you’re so important to her and we don’t get along very well. Hard on her, and on me,” I admit.
He blinks several times like he’s slowly processing everything I said. He uncrosses his arms, his face the picture of sincerity. “I’m sorry. I haven’t handled our interactions appropriately, and I’ll admit I haven’t known how to address it with you. But you’re right. I got us started off on the wrong foot.” He looks toward the stairs, and I know he’s thinking about Kay.
“It’s been just me and Kay for so long. Even with Larissa’s help, it wasn’t the same as having someone here full-time like you are. I guess it’s been harder on me than I thought it would be to let go of some of the responsibility. When you’re forced to do it all, you forget what it’s like tonothave to do it all. I don’twant you to be uncomfortable here, and I promise I’m going to try to do better from here on out.”
It’s the most he’s ever said to me in one sitting.
“I don’t want to step on your toes.”
He’s already shaking his head before I’ve finished my sentence.“You’re not. I appreciate everything you’ve done already in the short amount of time you’ve been here. I’ve never seen Kay so open. Even with her aunts and uncles, she’s a bit reserved, but every time she spends the day with you, I come home and she chats my ear off telling me everything you did all day.”
I can’t help smiling. “She’s such a great kid, Romel. You’ve done an amazing job with her.”
He looks down like he can’t quite take the compliment. “Thanks. I’m sorry, Meredith. I’m sorry I’ve been so…difficult.”
“I should’ve talked to you about how I was feeling sooner.”
“Moving forward, just tell me if I’m being…”
“Grumpy?” I suggest with a smile.
“I was going to say overbearing, but I guess grumpy works.”
I release my breath, feeling loads lighter now that we’ve cleared the air.
“Apology accepted. To be honest, I haven’t been my best self either. I know your situation better than most probably do. It’s clear you’ve had set routines with Kaylee, and I can’t imagine it’s easy to invite someone new into your life, especially with her.”
He looks at the table. “No, it’s not.” He picks at a dried piece of food with his thumbnail. “But that doesn’t excuse my behavior.”
I lean forward, my elbows on the table. “Maybe we should start with a blank slate.”
He glances up at me, almost like he’s hesitant to believe thisconversation is going so well. “I’d like that. I swear I’m not this big of an asshole usually.”
My smile grows. “I believe you.”
He mirrors my smile and I have to remind myself to breathe. It’s the first time he’s smiled directly at me, and even if it’s small, it makes me feel like I just performed a miracle.
“What made you want to become a nanny?”
He’s looking at me in a way that makes me feel like he can see to the very heart of me. “I went to school to become a physical therapist, but I don’t know. Senior year rolled around and nothing seemed to bring me much joy anymore. I didn’t apply to any grad schools and opted to take a year off. But I got sick of just hanging around the house, especially with all my other friends starting their new adult lives. Plus, boredom doesn’t appeal to me. I babysat in high school and a little bit in college, so I figured nannying made the most sense for a temporary job. So now I’m a nanny.”
“I’m glad you are,” he says, his voice soft and catching my attention.
My eyes lock on his. “You are?”
He nods and swallows, the motion making his Adam’s apple bob in his throat. “Maybe you are exactly what Kay needed.”
What Kay needed.
