Everly’s head pops over the edge, her blond hair haloing her face as she peers down at us. “Dad and I had a sleepover up here once.”
Cassandra’s brows lift in surprise as she looks at me for confirmation. “Wouldn’t have taken you for the sleepover type.”
I frown at that response. Is she teasing me? “She was eight, and it looked like a playhouse to her when it was all done. She can be relentless when she wants to be. I hope you’re tougher than I am.”
“I’m sure we’ll be just fine.” She smiles, almost to let me know she was trying to joke with me, and I relax a bit. Cassandra points at the ladder. “Do you mind if I—”
“Of course, sorry…let me get out of your way,” I babble and step back, giving her room to climb. I shove a hand through my hair and force myself to look out the windows and not gape at her legging-clad ass that’s currently eye level with me. At least she’s ditched the matching tie-dyed sweatsuit. But now I’m face-to-face with her curves that leave little to the imagination. Fuck.
“Big bed!” Cassandra calls down.
“With a little reading chair!” Everly exclaims, her voice more excited than it’s sounded since her mother left the country last week. “That’s my bedroom on the far-right top window. My dad’s is down there on the left.” I glance up and see Everly pointing at our house that’s up the grassy hill and past the pool.
“Do you have more bags in your car?” I ask, feeling a bit stir-crazy down here doing nothing.
“Yes, but don’t worry. I can get them.”
“I got it.” Without another word, I haul ass outside, grateful for the fresh air. I unbutton the sleeves of my dress shirt and roll them up. Why did it feel so hot in that cabin all of a sudden? I should check the A/C unit when I get back.
The sun is just beginning to set as I make my way over the large, manicured lawn that looks damn near electric green in this light. The blue pool sparkles, and I have a moment of brief appreciation for the fact that Everly will finally be here for a decent length of time to use all this stuff I’ve invested good money in. I barely remember what it was like to be a full-time dad. Shared custody can really fucking suck sometimes.
I find Cassandra’s SUV and spot a large box and a duffel bag in the tailgate. That coconut smell hits me again as I toss the bag across my chest and carry the box out back. God, that scent is appealing. It reminds me of vacation and sunshine. I haven’t had a real vacation in years.
I hear Cassandra and Everly’s giggles wafting out the front door as I return to find them in the living room. Everly is showing her how to use the television.
“Thank you for that, Mr. Fletcher,” Cassandra says, shooting me a warm smile as I set the box down next to the closet cabinets that line the hallway leading to the bathroom.
“Don’t mention it.” I shove a hand through my hair. “Do you want a tour of the main house? I expect that’s where you and Everly will spend most of your days.”
“Aw, why can’t we hang out here?” Everly whines, looking over at me with her lethal puppy dog eyes.
“This is Cassandra’s space, Everly. You need to respect it,” I state a bit too firmly. Why am I feeling so flustered? I clear my throat. “Also, there’s nothing to do out here.”
“Exactly!” Everly replies with a smile. “Why do more when you can do less?”
Cassandra bites her lip and has the gall to look sheepish. I hit her with a look, so she knows exactly how I feel about this. Leaning on the dining room table, I cross my arms and inhale deeply. “Look, you’re entitled to your own life philosophies, but there will need to be some structure this summer.”
Cassandra nods and swallows slowly. “You’re the boss.”
That label sends a heady jolt of electricity through my body, settling annoyingly in my cock. I clench my jaw and continue, “After your interview, Everly made it very clear she didn’t want to do all the camps and activities we had planned for her this summer. So Jess and I came up with some compromises to ensure it’s not a completely pointless summer.”
Cassandra’s head jerks back. “I don’t think giving your mind a chance to recharge and daydream a bit is ever pointless.”
“I agree!” Everly huffs, crossing her arms and giving me attitude as she damn near snuggles up to Cassandra on the sofa.
“Nevertheless,” I continue through clenched teeth, leveling the nanny with a look. “She can take the summer off gymnastics and swim team, but she needs to still be in the pool at least three times a week for exercise.” I point at the swim deck up by the main house.
“Swimming is great for the imagination.” Cassandra winks at Everly.
Everly smiles with glee.
“She must continue with her book club. And do book reports every week. That’s non-negotiable.”
“Reading is so much fun!” Cassandra replies, but Everly looks less than thrilled.
“And screen time will be very limited. Doing nothing doesn’t mean bingeing Netflix.”
“I don’t even have Netflix,” Cassandra says with a shrug. “This sounds great. We’re going to have the best summer ever.” She holds her hand out to Everly, who slaps it with a high five. “You want to help me unpack, and then we can do the Fletchpad tour?”
“Fletchpad?” Everly giggles. “I just called it a house!”
Cozy touches her finger to her temple. “It’s more fun to use your imagination and come up with your own words, isn’t it?”
“Totally!” Everly agrees and turns to begin helping Cozy unpack.
I pause at the door, realizing I’ve never seen my kid get so excited to do a chore. “I’ll just…leave you two to it. Oh, and just so you’re aware, I’ll be working from home this week.”
“From the Fletchpad?” Everly asks excitedly, adopting that bizarre label for our home in the blink of an eye.
“Yes, my office is being renovated.” Total fucking lie. I just don’t trust this chick with my kid. Not yet. I need to see them in action for a bit. Make sure this nanny isn’t going to be a total disaster. Do I want to manage the extra work I have with this giant merger approaching from home? No. But Everly is my entire life, and I’m not taking any risks with her this summer. “I’ll be around to help you both get settled.”
“Sounds good…Mr. Fletcher.” Cassandra appears to be fighting back a smile, and my eyes narrow suspiciously.
I’m watching you…Cozy.
“Want to see me do a dive?” Everly calls out from the diving board of the giant Olympic-sized pool that no normal human would have chilling in their backyard. But of course, millionaire Max Fletcher does.
“Heck yeah!” I exclaim from my spot on the edge of the pool, where I’m kicking my feet in the water. “Let’s see it.”
Everly swan dives gracefully, making the tiniest of splashes. She pops up out of the water and grins gleefully at me before tucking her head down and swimming toward the other side of the pool.
Dang, this kid lives a privileged life. I can’t believe she’s not more of an asshole. I always imagined kids who lived like this would be bossy and entitled. I’m pleasantly surprised to admit I was wrong about my assumption. I know I’m still getting to know Everly, but I’m usually pretty good at reading people, and she seems sweet and cool and a great listener. Especially for an eleven-year-old who lives in a rustic mansion.