“Does Lily know that?”
“No. She’s too young to understand.”
“She’s going to be curious as she gets older, Stefan.”
“I know, and I’ll explain everything to her when the time comes.” He looked at his watch. “We should probably get some sleep. It’s late.”
“Yeah. We should.”
We both got up from the lounge chairs and went back into the house.
“By the way, are you okay after what Simon told you about that Ryan asshole?”
“Yeah. I just feel so stupid for trusting him. I should have known better.”
“We all make mistakes, Alex. That’s all it was. A mistake.” He gave me a warm smile. “Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Stefan.”
He walked out of the kitchen, and I leaned against the counter while letting out a sigh. Something was happening. I could feel it.
The next morning after I dropped Lily off at school, I came home and started cleaning up the kitchen when I heard the doorbell ring. Opening it, an older man stood there staring at me.
“Can I help you?”
“Hello. You must be Alex. I’m Stefan’s father, Henry. I was hoping we could have a chat.”
Suddenly, a nervous feeling swept over me.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Kind. Come in. Can I make you a cup of coffee?” I asked as he followed me to the kitchen.
“That would be great. Thank you.”
I popped a k-cup in the Keurig while he stood on the other side of the island.
“So, you’re Lily’s new nanny?”
“Yes. I am.” I smiled. “She’s a great kid.”
“She is.”
“Do you take cream or sugar?” I handed him his cup.
“Sugar.”
Reaching up into the cabinet, I took down the sugar bowl and handed it to him.
“Stefan told me you don’t have a background in childcare and that you left home when you were eighteen.”
“I did leave home when I was eighteen, and I’ve been raising myself since I was seven years old. So, I think that qualifies me as having a background in childcare.”
“Far from it as far as I’m concerned.” He stirred his coffee.
“What is this visit really about, Mr. Kind?”
“I want to know what kind of person is taking care of my granddaughter.”
“I can assure you she’s in good hands with me.”
“My son told me that your father is an alcoholic. I’m sure being raised in that kind of environment left you with some issues. Issues I don’t want portrayed onto my granddaughter.”
How dare he.
“So basically, you’re calling me trash. Am I right?” I narrowed my eye at him.
“You said that, not me.” His brow arched. “I have my reservations because you trusted a man you met online. Who does that? Now you’ve roped my son into giving you a job and a place to live when that didn’t pan out.”
Damn you, Stefan.
“I didn’t rope your son into anything. He was kind enough to let me stay the night he hit me. I was leaving the next day. I even had an Uber waiting outside, and he stopped me. He’s the one who pushed for me to take the job and stay here. Not me.”
“Obviously, my son is thinking with the wrong body part. I’m sure the two of you have already slept together.”
“First of all, that’s none of your damn business. Second, we haven’t. He’s my employer, and I wouldn’t compromise my job like that. Do you really want to go there, Mr. Kind?”
I was so pissed off I couldn’t see straight.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re on your fifth marriage.”
“So what?”
“You have reservations about me because I met some guy online. Well, I have reservations about a man who marries five times in his life.”
“How dare you!” he spoke in a stern voice. “The last three marriages were just bad judgment on my part. Not that I need to explain anything to you.”
“And meeting a guy online was bad judgement on my part! People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”
He was taken back by my words by the look that crossed his face.
“You may think I’m some dumb trashy chick looking for her next meal ticket, but you’re wrong. Considering what I’ve been through in my life, I’m a well-rounded person who is more than capable of taking care of your granddaughter.”
“What the hell is going on in here?” Stefan walked in.
“Why aren’t you at the office?” his father asked.
“I forgot my cellphone. I’ll ask one more time, what the hell is going on?”
“I just came over to meet Alex. That’s all.”
“Really? You and Celeste were supposed to come last night.”
“Sam told you.” He shook his head.
“Of course, he did. The four of us tell each other everything. You should know that by now. In fact, you do know it and that’s why you told him.”
“It’s okay, Stefan. Your father has every right to want to meet me. Everything is good. You can go back to work,” I said.
“From what I just heard, I don’t think everything is good.”
“It is. Trust me. You have no reason to be angry with him. I wish my father had cared so much. You can’t fault him for that. Go on. Grab your phone and leave. We’re good here.”
“Okay. I’ll see you at the office, Dad.”
“Yes, son. I’ll be there soon.”
As soon as he walked out of the house, his father looked at me.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to defend me like that.”
“Yeah, well, like I said, I wish my father had cared like you do.”
“I apologize for just coming here unannounced like this. I guess we can chalk it up to a bad judgment call on my part. If my granddaughter is happy, I’m good with that.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kind. I appreciate it.”
“Call me Henry. Thanks for the coffee. I need to head to the office now and deal with the wrath of my son.”
“He’s lucky to have you, and I think he takes that for granted.”
“Thank you, Alex. Enjoy the rest of your day,” he spoke with a slight nod of his head.
Chapter 16
Three Days Later
Stefan
“Bye, baby girl.” I knelt and gave my daughter a hug and kiss goodbye. “Be good for Grandpa and Grandma Celeste.”
“I will, Dad.” She smiled. “Bye, Alex. I’ll see you Sunday night.”
“Bye, Lily. Have fun.”
“Thanks, Dad. I know she’s excited.”
“You’re welcome, son. It’s our pleasure to spend the weekend with her.”
As soon as they left, I went into the living room, unlocked the cabinet and poured myself a scotch.
“Lily said they’re going to Big Bear Lake,” Alex spoke.
“Yeah. My dad has a cabin there. They go a lot and take Lily with them. He used to take the four of us when we were kids. Sometimes, we go up there to chill and hang out.”