Page 21 of Because You Said Yes

He ran a hand through his hair. “I understand. I'll make sure you get compensated for the extra effort. I know it was a tough time, and I'm thankful you went the extra mile.”

Rachel smiled, her face softening as she looked away from him. “Thank you,” she said.

Rachel was burdened by expectations no nineteen-year-old should have to bear. She didn't have the life experience of an adult yet, but he had asked her to take care of Ivy. It was like asking a child to care for another child. He'd have to get more help quickly.

“How many hours per week do you work?”

“I'm contracted for 45 hours a week. I can't exceed that amount.”

He thought about his job, which required frequent absences, and how he'd need multiple nannies to make it work. “What would happen if I had to leave town?”

She shrugged. “I've only worked for Miss Chloe, so I couldn't say for sure, but rules are rules.”

He was not a fan of rules, but the world was full of them.

Cricket reentered the room, balancing a stack of plates on one arm and chocolate milk, diet soda, and orange juice on the other.

“Here you go, sweets. Let me know if you need anything else.” She grinned and winked. “Like another cup of my special brew?”

His stomach turned. “I'll stick with the Diet Coke for now.”

“Let me know if you change your mind.”

He wouldn’t and picked up the soda and took a deep drink, relishing the feeling of the cool liquidbubblingdownhisthroat.

Ivy dug into her chocolate chip pancakes while Rachel deconstructed her BLT, moving the bacon to the side.

“I thought you wanted the bacon.”

She sighed. “I did, but now my stomach aches.”

“Should we stop at the five and dime and get you something?”

“No.” She sighed heavily. “I have to tell you something.”

A knot formed in his belly as he anticipated what she might say, and he was suddenly overcome with dread.

Rachel took a deep breath before she spoke. “I've been thinking about going back to California to go to college. It's the best thing for me right now,” she said.

Bastien frowned and looked down at the table. “Can you give me a week or ten days? I need to fly back to New York to settle a few things.”

“You want me to work 24 hours a day for seven to ten days?” She looked up at the ceiling and then back at him. “It's going to cost you.”

“You said you couldn't work over 45 hours in a week. I'll try to find you help.”

She shrugged. “I need dorm room money, so I'll do it. I won't tell if you don't. But I expect overtime for anything over 45, and I can't drive.”

His jaw dropped open. “What do you mean you can't drive?” He cut his burger in half and took a bite.

“I can drive, but I misplaced my driver's license, and haven't taken the time to replace it.”

He swallowed and wiped the ketchup that oozed out the side of his mouth. “Okay, no driving.”

“You'll have to find a way for Ivy to get to school while you’re gone.”

With a slight tilt of his head, he asked,”How was she getting to school before?”

Rachel hung her head. “Chloe had to drive her.”

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