I feel better after our talk. We didn’t have the mind-blowing make-up sex we used to have after fights, but it also wasn’t really a fight. There’s a difference between bickering over how to correctly fold the towels versus the type of conversation that could either save or kill a marriage.
And he wants to save it. I do, too—and not just because of the girls’ night out like last night. Not just because I want to stay with him for Ainsley’s sake.
Because I love him. Because we pledged forever together, and we meant it.
I can’t keep living the way we have been, and seeing him get involved in the ownership of a new club sends up a huge series of red flags. But if he thinks it’s the thing that can save us…I’m willing to give it a try.
He’s already out of bed when I get up. At some point overnight, he slipped into bed then slipped out again, a fact I know since I tossed and turned for much of the night. I check the video monitor in Ainsley’s room and see she’s still asleep, so I take my shower and get dressed.
When I emerge to head down to the kitchen, I hear voices. James is one of them, and the other is a female I don’t recognize.
“There she is,” James says, nodding toward me with a smile when I walk into the room.
A beautiful woman half my age sits beside him at the kitchen table—not across from him, but right there next to him. Elbow brushing distance. Knee knocking distance.
I would know since that’s the seat I usually occupy.
My hackles rise and I’m not even sure why.
And half my age is an exaggeration. I’d pin her in her early twenties, but I’m nearing my late thirties at this point myself.
“This is Bianca. Bianca, this is Ainsley’s mother, Morgan,” James says by way of introduction. It strikes a strange chord with me that he’s introducing me as Ainsley’s mother rather than as his wife, and I still don’t know why a young twenty-something girl with tits way perkier than mine is sitting next to my husband in my chair as they gab over coffee.
She sets her coffee cup down and offers a small wave. “You used to be a nurse, right?”
I wrinkle my nose rather than respond, and I realize I’m being a total bitch here, but I haven’t even had a sip of coffee yet after a restless night spent worrying about whether some new club James is thinking about having a hand in is going to be the thing that saves our marriage. I pad over to the coffeepot to grab my morning sustenance with a muttered, “Yep,” on my way.
“I’m in school for nursing, but I’m taking my classes online and I’m looking for a full-time job,” she says.
I don’t care and why are you in my seat? “That’s great.” I fill my cup and carry it over to the table, pulling out the seat on James’s other side. It’s a square table, so it’s easy enough for conversation.
Who are you? Why are you in my seat at eight o’clock in the morning?
James nods toward the girl. “As she mentioned, Bianca is looking for work while she’s taking her classes. She’s here today to interview with us both to see if she’d be a good fit for our open nanny position.”
Ah. So this is what he’s been doing in his spare time. Meeting with barely legal girls to see if they can be a second mother to his child.
I try to shake off the bitterness I feel this morning, but I find I can’t.
“You remember her, don’t you?” James asks, and I glance over at the girl.
I have no idea who she is.
“Ethan’s half-sister.” He names the drummer of his band. “She just moved here from Chicago, and she doesn’t know anybody except her brother.”
I let his words register for a beat, and then I feel like a royal asshole.
Which I should. I’m totally out of line this morning, and I sort of wish he would’ve led with that little nugget of information rather than forcing me to wonder why this gorgeous girl is sitting in my house so early.
It makes more sense now. Bianca had to be six or seven the last time I saw her.
“Oh my God. It’s been years.” I take a sip of coffee then draw in a deep breath. “I’m sorry if I was rude a moment ago.” I hold up my coffee cup. It’s a feeble excuse, but it’ll have to do. “I’m a Nile crocodile before my morning coffee.”
“A Nile crocodile?” she asks.
“The most aggressive animal in the world,” I clarify, and she giggles.
James laughs, too. “She’s not lying.”
I playfully punch him in the arm. “Tell me about yourself. Do you have nannying experience?”
She shakes her head. “I used to babysit some kids who lived in the neighborhood where I grew up,” she says.
“I’m twenty, and I’m currently living with my brother,” she continues. “Like James said, I just moved out here a few days ago. I’m in my second year of my nursing program and I enjoy doing it online since I can work from anywhere. I was working at a preschool in Chicago, but the owners hired a new director who I didn’t get along with.”
A dark shadow crosses her face, and I can’t help but wonder what happened. I get the sense it was less about her and more about unsavory behavior from the director.
“So I decided to see what opportunities I’d come across out here. Ethan mentioned to the rest of the Vail guys that I was looking for a job, and James asked if I’d be interested in nannying.” She lifts a shoulder and offers a shy smile. “I absolutely loved the idea, and the bonus is that you don’t have to worry that you’re hiring some crazy fangirl since I’m part of the Vail family. I think it might be a great fit as long as your little one feels comfortable with me.”
You’re hired.
Isn’t it funny how quickly things can change? On the one hand, I think she’s right. Keeping this position within the small circle of people we trust is a total added benefit.
But what if she screws up? What if she grows to hate us…or vice versa? We can’t afford a rift with Ethan over something like this, which is why quite frankly I’m a little surprised James offered her up.
James clears his throat. “I was thinking Bianca could spend the day here as a sort of test run. We see how it goes, and if it’s a good fit, she can start tomorrow provided we all agree to the terms.”
I nod. “Our last nanny, Wendy, lived here with us to accommodate our nighttime schedule, which is typically pretty jam-packed with events. Is that something you’re comfortable with? Or are you planning to stay with your brother?”
“Yes, I’m good with that. James filled me in on all the responsibilities, and let me assure you I’m not anything like my brother,” she says, and I can’t help a laugh at that.
Great. She’s gorgeous and funny.
I hear the familiar crackle of sound from the baby monitor letting me know Ainsley is both awake and about to come running down the stairs. “You ready to meet her?” I ask, inclining my head toward the stairs.
Bianca nods, and then as predicted, Ains comes running at top speed into the room. She runs right to me, and I pick her up and cover her with kisses. She goes to her dad next for kisses, too, and then she comes back to me and climbs up onto my lap. She stares at Bianca and waits for one of us to say something.