I try not to laugh.
“I’m so sorry,” he says to me. “I had no idea.”
“It’s okay. It’s obvious you weren’t doing it to be cheap. Your previous nannies were paid really well, but the situations were different.”
“I, hmm … I used the contract my old nanny agency sent me. I guess I can’t call them and ask for a blank one so I know what to put in it.”
I reach into my bag and pull out the contract my brother drew up. “I have this. Chord did it for me. It’s basically the same as your old one, but it adjusts the wage to my situation, factoring in an hourly rate based on what nanny agencies typically charge, and then overtime clauses as well if you need me to stay late for whatever reason. Like, if you have public appearances at night or something.”
Ryder scoffs. “Won’t be any chance of that happening. I stepped away from everything when I left Eleven.”
“A date, then.”
He levels me with a look I can’t figure out. “There’s more chance of me making a public appearance. I don’t date.”
My eyes widen. “Ever?”
“Ever.”
That might be the saddest thing to happen to humanity.
The urge to ask about Kaylee’s mom is on the tip of my tongue, but I hold it back. There’s not much to find about her on the internet. Either his PR people did an amazing cover-up job or she didn’t want fame. I don’t know. All I’ve found out is she’s his childhood friend.
The tabloids claimed she was a fame whore who wanted attention, but if that were the case, surely everyone would know more about her. Others say she was paid to disappear. Then there are the rumors that the whole daughter thing is a hoax and a publicity stunt to cover the fact Ryder’s gay.
As much as I wish he were gay, I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have full custody of some random publicity stunt child or give up his career for her to cover that up.
“Single by choice?” I blurt out and then realize it’s an inappropriate question to ask my new boss. “I only ask because I’m the same way. Only, not on purpose.”
He eyes me, but it’s more scrutinizing than anything else. “Please, like it’d be impossible for you to get a date.”
“You’d be surprised.”
Ryder’s brow scrunches as he gives me another once-over.
I clear my throat.
He snaps out of it. “What were we saying? Oh, right. Nights. I might need you to stay late sometimes if recording goes over schedule like sessions tend to do. I know Kaylee will be asleep, but I’d feel safer knowing you’d be here if she was to wake up or something. Artists tend to get diva-y on me if I leave them waiting. Crazy, right?”
“I can work weeknights, but I gig on weekends.”
“That should be fine. I was only booking sessions for when Kaylee was in school, but I figure by hiring you I can extend my available hours. I’ll make sure to block out weekends.”
We talk more about schedules, and I’m happily relieved Ryder’s more than okay with me keeping my afternoons with Chase.
Cars are an issue—mainly, I don’t have one—but Ryder’s even flexible on that too.
“I have my sister-in-law’s car on the days I have to pick up Chase from school, and on the other days, I figure if Kaylee and I want to go out, we can catch the bus.”
“No bus. The public shouldn’t recognize Kaylee without me, but she is known by paparazzi and superfans. I’m not comfortable—”
“That’s okay. Umm, I could maybe work it out with Brenna to get her car more or—”
“No need. On days you don’t have a car, you can take mine, and I’ll use one of my … toys if I need to go out.”
“Toys?”
“You know how some people collect coins or stamps or, I don’t know, old video games? I might collect cars. Just a little bit.”
“How many do you have?”
“Eight. Nine including the Tesla, but that doesn’t count.”
“Right. Because a Tesla is an everyday kind of car. Got it.”
Ryder smiles in a way that really makes me want to see what other cars he has in his garage.
“Is that everything?” Ryder asks. “Any more questions?”
“I think I’m good for now.”
Ryder stands. “I figured you guys could hang out here today while I work in case you had any problems or whatever.”
I pick up my bag, and we make our way back down the hall toward Kaylee’s playroom. The hallway is narrow, and our shoulders bump as we walk side by side. “I’m sure we’ll be fine, but if you’re more comfortable with us staying in for the day, that’s okay.”
“Am I that transparent?”
“Yep, but it’s all good. We all have to grow to trust each other, and that takes time. It’s not like I was sent here by an agency or have references or anything. And now I’m probably talking you out of hiring me. Good one, Lyric.”
Ryder laughs. “No, I stand by my decision. I can’t explain why my gut is telling me this is the right move. I guess I’m a sucker for guys who insult me.”
I swear I hear a flirty tone in there, but then I remind myself it’s probably my dick hearing it, not my ears.
I pause outside the door. “It’ll be fine. It won’t take long to get into a routine. I promise.”
Chapter Five
Ryder
If the bigger mess Kaylee made while we went over the contract didn’t scare Lyric off, I was sure my involuntary innuendo and compliments might’ve done it.
Like it’d be impossible for you to get a date.
I cringe just thinking about it and keep trying to delete it from my mind, but it replays over and over again.
All day while I half-heartedly work on Cash’s new single, I keep an ear out for them. I have my headphones on with one ear still exposed so I can hear.
Every time Kaylee’s little laugh filters down the hallway, I want to run in there and see what she thinks is funny, but I don’t. I don’t want to be that overbearing father who uses any excuse to go check on them. It’s true what they say about parental instinct. I worry all the fucking time, and it’s exhausting.
I should be here, focusing on the sexy rasp of Cash’s voice, but instead, I want to go down that hallway and see what they’re doing.
When I finally cave and take a break around lunchtime, I find Kaylee sitting and waiting patiently at the little table next to the kitchen while Lyric makes her a sandwich.
The sight is wrong on so many levels. Not only because one, my daughter is quiet, and two, the bomb site this place was this morning is gone and replaced with a neat and tidy area where every toy is in its place, but the most important thing is the way Lyric smiles as he makes my daughter food.
I was never attracted to any of Kaylee’s other nannies before. They were pretty women, and they’d flirt with me, which was more annoying than charming, but while I reside on the gayer end of the Kinsey scale, I don’t think that’s why it’s different with Lyric.
I’m starting to regret using his number to hire him instead of asking him out. Not that I would actually go out with him anyway.