Page 38 of Nanny for the Doctor

She walks across the room before turning back to me. “I care about Henry. Quite a bit, actually. And I knowbothof you would be happier if you prioritized your son more often. You obviously knew you needed help when you hired a nanny, so let me help.”

Sweat dots my brow, and I can’t look at those pleading chocolate-colored eyes. I face the sink again, turning on the water and pretending to do anything other than just watch it run.

“It’s hard to see a situation objectively when you’re in the middle of it. I know you guys have been through a lot, so I understand why it might be hard for you.”

I don’t turn, closing my eyes tight as water rushes from the faucet right down the drain.

“You understand? Like hell, you do. I don’t appreciate being told how to raise my child.”

“Reed, that’s not—”

I spin around again. Mae has no clue what she’s talking about. She’s not a parent, and she’s never lost a spouse.

“You just don’t get it. I don’t have a normal nine-to-five job. I’m not clocking in at some bank or calling it a night after waiting tables. I’m saving lives. I’m making a difference in the world. And it actually matters if I miss a shift. The hospital can’t just find a substitute like I’m a fucking kindergarten teacher."

Mae’s mouth falls open, and she gasps softly. “So teachers don’t make a difference? I guess I must be pretty far down the ladder, then, since I just take care of your kid and your house all day.”

She reaches for her jacket and purse hanging on a chair near the island, then hurries toward the door.

“You know what, Reed?” Mae turns and glares at me. “If you actually cared about making a difference, you’d be there for your son. Because right now, he barely notices whether you’re here or not.”

I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut, complete with the nausea and pain ricocheting through my stomach.

“Get out.”

“Oh, trust me, Dr. Finnigan, I’m gone.”

Mae jerks open the front door and lets it slam behind her as she leaves. The sound is too loud, rattling the entire house, and I worry Henry will wake up and find out what happened.

But as I stand in the silence of the kitchen, nothing changes. Henry never comes out of his room, and all I can think is that I have no idea if he’s a heavy sleeper or not.

I know nothing about my own child.

Chapter13

Mae

The door to my apartment slams behind me as I enter. It’s barely an excuse for a studio, and at the moment, I hate it.

Which feels a lot worse when I’m already so fucking mad that I had a good scream in the car. Some primal therapy, anyone?

I fling myself onto my tiny bed, burying my face in my pillow and giving the yell-it-out method another go, but I’m still just as pissed at Reed.

“How could he stand there and say that? I work so hard for him and his son. Just because I’m not some fancy doctor. Ahh!”

My phone buzzes on the nightstand near my head, and I pick it up to check the notification. It’s a Face Time call from my parents.

“Really? What time is it?”

I look over to see it’s not especially late and then remember they’re in a different time zone.Ugh. Fuck. I don’t want to talk right now.

Putting on my best fake smile, I swipe to answer.

“Hi, guys.”

“Mae!” My mother’s voice trills through my phone, and I turn the volume down.

Based on the background, my parents are outside on the beach, and there’s a loud whooshing sound I’m guessing is the wind.

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