Chapter 2: Promise Me Forever: Chapter 2

“Lexi, you don’t have to do this,” Dad said.

“Dad, we’re not having this conversation again. Besides, my interview is in half an hour. No way will I back down now. How is Mom feeling?”

“She’s taking it easy.”

“I’ll call you both after the interview. I have to get ready. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Good luck, hon. And thank you.”

“Love you, Dad. Bye.”

As soon as the call disconnected, I started getting dressed. My interview was at eight o’clock sharp. I checked the weather, to make sure it wouldn’t rain. I enjoyed Chicago in the summer. Most people didn’t like the hot and humid climate, but I loved it. It felt like one long vacation, which was pretty appropriate in my case. As an elementary school teacher, I had summers off, and usually I occupied that time with long, lazy days in the sun on Lake Michigan. But this summer, things were a little bit different. I decided to take a temp job.

My mom was in and out of the hospital after undergoing two heart surgeries this past year, and the medical bills were piling up. My parents were both retired, and there was no way they could afford everything. Even though they didn’t ask, I offered to help. I put out my résumé, looking for any temporary job that would fit my qualifications.

I’d been looking for some sort of summer camp, to be honest, but the agency sent me something entirely different. I’d laughed as I went through the job description. It said “child-minder,” which was a fancy way of describing a nanny.

I looked in the mirror, nodding appreciatively at my bright yellow dress. It had a boatneck and wasn’t too short. It looked professional yet fashionable enough, and I felt totally comfortable in it. I braided my long brown hair, detangling the strands as I went. My hair was naturally wavy, especially in the summer when the air was so humid. I’d only applied a little bit of makeup around my eyes to make the blue in my irises stand out, and I was ready to go in no time.

I lived in a super-tiny apartment in a forty-story building near Edgewater. Besides the relatively low rent, what sold me on this area was that I had the beach and the lake literally in front of the building. I wasn’t overlooking the lake, because those apartments were one-third more expensive than mine, but all I had to do was to take the elevator twenty floors, and I’d be outside right along it.

I loved walking, even in summer, but today I Ubered. My potential employer lived in Lincoln Park, which was about a fifteen-minute drive away. I could bike the distance, but I risked arriving a sweaty mess, and I wanted to make a good impression. Even mid-June was hot and humid in Chicago.

I left a bit early, not wanting anything unexpected to make me late for my interview. In the Uber, I drummed my fingers on my thighs while looking out the window. I was so curious to meet the little girl and her father. The job description didn’t give me much to go on, except that it was a single parent household and that she was nine years old. It was a great age. I loved being an elementary school teacher. At that age, an educator could have so much influence in shaping those little minds and feeding their curiosity about the world. I loved seeing everything through their eyes.

Kids had an innocence I adored. At thirty-one, I’d always hoped to have two kids by now, but things didn’t work out, unfortunately. I’d had two long-term relationships that didn’t end well, but it didn’t matter. I had my friends and my parents, although they lived in Boston. I loved my tiny studio and my job. And I got so much love from all those kids I taught. Well, during the school year, at least. In summer, I was on my own.

Although, this summer was going to be different. I was hoping this job would pan out because it paid well—more than what I’d get at a summer camp. Besides, focusing on one child for once would be a nice change from my usual pace. But if things didn’t work out for whatever reason, I was determined to find something else.

My jaw dropped when the car stopped in front of the house—though mansion would be a more appropriate word. It was huge, with two stories, a white stone facade, a wraparound porch with columns, and a majestic staircase up to the entrance.

Wow. I rarely ventured on this side of town, though I knew they had lovely homes. But this wasn’t pretty. This was like a small palace.

I wondered if it had a backyard. But even if it didn’t, I was sure I wouldn’t run out of options to entertain little Paisley in this huge house. I was a master at coming up with ways to keep kids busy, even when space was limited to a classroom.

‘Thank you,’ I said to the driver before getting out of the car. I was still five minutes early, so I paced in front of the gate, glancing through the bars. A small stone patio led up to the steps of the front porch. There were gorgeous flowers and plants on either side of the pathway going around the house. I assumed there was a backyard too.

I was becoming a bit nervous. Plus, I hadn’t been on a job interview in about seven years, ever since I started at my current school, The Stone Academy.

Two minutes later, the front door of the house opened, and my jaw clenched. The most handsome man I’d ever seen was looking straight at me. He had dark brown hair, cropped short, and blue eyes so mesmerizing that even from a distance I felt the sex appeal rolling off him in waves.

‘Ms. Lexi Langley?’ he asked.

‘Yes.’

‘I’m Tate Maxwell. Come on in. You don’t have to wait outside.’

‘Okay.’ Good God, Lexi, get a grip. You’re not going to get this job by giving one-word responses.

Tate climbed down the porch steps, coming closer. He was seriously movie-star handsome. His eyes were somewhere between tourmaline and turquoise. The white shirt he wore was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing very sexy forearms. Through the fabric of his shirt, I could see his biceps were just as muscular.

My mind immediately went to other places. Would his abs be as defined? Probably.

Swallowing hard, I forced my gaze to stay on his face.

Way to be inappropriate, Lexi. He could be your future employer. No sexy thoughts about him, even though his body is delicious, and that face… yummm.

He had a short beard, and the dark stubble made his eyes pop even more. I was tall at five foot eight, but he was even taller, at least six foot three.

I cleared my throat as he opened the front gate, holding out my hand. ‘Lexi Langley. Nice to meet you.’

‘Likewise. Come on in.’ He opened the door, and I stepped inside. He walked right next to me up on the steps of the front porch. I could feel his presence at my side, solid and hot as sin. He had an energy surrounding him that felt downright magnetic.

‘You have a very nice home,’ I said, trying to focus on a neutral subject.

‘Thank you.’ Opening the front door, he ushered me inside, and it was all I could do not to sigh. The interior of the house was as amazing as the exterior, decorated in old-fashioned, classic furniture complete with chandeliers.

‘Let’s go inside the living room. We’ll be comfortable there.’

“Yes, of course,’ I said.

“Do you want anything to drink?” he asked. “Coffee? Water? Anything else?”

“No, I’m good.”

‘Okay. Please, have a seat.’ He pointed to one of the white leather couches.

I immediately sat down. He sat on an armchair opposite me. His presence had seemed larger than life and all-consuming even outside, but right here, enclosed in this room, the energy coming off him felt downright intense.

‘Ms. Langley, I have looked over your résumé, and you have excellent qualifications. I was hoping to find someone for my daughter who has formal education in childhood development.”

‘Well, yes, I’ve been an elementary school teacher for seven years.’

‘And now you’re looking to change jobs?’

I frowned, not really understanding. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Why are you applying for this job?’

‘I have time during my summer vacation, and honestly, I need some extra money. This seems like a good job.’

His expression darkened as his frown deepened. He got up from the armchair, pacing in front of me, crossing his arms over his chest. ‘That’s going to be a problem. I want someone who can be with my daughter long-term, over the next few years.’

‘Oh! I didn’t see that on the job description.’

‘I’m sure I told the agency to put it there.’

‘Maybe I just missed it. I’m so sorry. But may I ask, why do you need someone for her full time? She goes to school, right?’

‘Yes. Paisley is in the fourth grade.’

‘I thought she might be. That’s the grade I teach.” Tate still looked confused, so I explained what I was getting at. “So, then, you presumably only need someone to pick her up from school and bring her home and stay with her for a couple hours until you come home from work? Is anyone else with her in the afternoons?’

‘It’s just me.’ His tone was clipped.

‘Okay.’ I was curious to know more, but I didn’t want to push. Was he divorced? A widower? Well, clearly he was a single dad. But it was none of my business to know the rest.

I noticed a hint of vulnerability in his gaze. It contrasted so starkly with his tough exterior that I didn’t even know what to make of it. It was gone the next second, though.

“Look, I’ll be honest. I’d love to have this job because I love kids. The second I got out of the Uber and saw the house, I had all kinds of activities in my mind to keep Paisley busy. It’s an amazing space to raise children. Not to mention that you have the lake nearby.”

He looked pleased that I had already planned things for his daughter, which I was glad for, so I continued. “I’m not sure how long it might take you to find a permanent nanny. I honestly can’t imagine there are too many people with a formal education in child development looking to do this as their full-time job for a prolonged period of time. But I could do it until you find someone who can.’

His frown deepened even more. Damn, this man knew how to brood. My heart was beating faster. How could he look even hotter when he was frowning?

‘I’ll think about it. My daughter gets attached to the people she spends time with. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.’

My stomach bottomed out. How did I miss that this wasn’t a summer job? Regardless, I didn’t want to press, because his daughter’s well-being came first. If she didn’t like changing nannies, it would make more sense to hire someone who wanted to stay longer from the start.

‘Okay. Well, do you have any more questions for me?’ I asked.

‘No, it was all on your résumé. Do you have any questions for us? I mean, for me?’

That was encouraging. Maybe he was still seriously considering me after all. ‘Yes. How many hours a day would I be here, and what would you like me to do with your daughter?’

‘I’m at work about eight or nine hours a day, so I would need you here in the morning. I always prepare breakfast for Paisley and me, and we eat together. Otherwise, you can do whatever you feel is best for her. I’m not one to think that every moment has to be a teachable one for kids. I think they should be allowed to play.’

My face exploded in a grin. ‘Oh my God, I think you’re a species that’s about to disappear. I have not heard those words from a parent in forever. Thank you for thinking that. I’m on the same page. Playing is how they discover the world. It’s their way of learning. And not many people believe me, but what they learn from having fun sticks with them more than book learning does sometimes. It’s the way they absorb it, and it’s natural.’

For the first time today, the corners of his mouth tilted up in a small smile. He had two dimples. My heart rate intensified. Seriously? Why is he so hot? I never thought dimples would work on this man, but they so did. I had a hunch anything would look sexy on him.

‘I like you, Ms. Langley.’

‘Well, I love to teach kids. It’s why I became an elementary school teacher. Do you often go out of town for business? I mean, would it require me to sleep here or anything?’

‘I do go out of town sometimes. But when that happens, my parents or my grandmother usually spends the night with Paisley.’

‘You have extended family close by?’ I asked, a bit envious. My parents were in another state. I felt a bit lonely this summer. My best friends, Jenny and Ella, weren’t in the city. They were both working at a language camp in Louisiana. ‘That’s great.’

‘Yes, it is.’

He didn’t expound, so I had to ask, ‘How come they aren’t spending the summer with Paisley?” Then I cringed. “I’m sorry if I’m overstepping my boundaries.’

‘You’re not. They did offer, but Paisley is energetic—like all children, I imagine—and no matter how much my parents and grandmother think they can keep up with her, they actually can’t.’

‘That makes sense,’ I said with a grin. Typically, kids will take advantage of family members, whereas with a nanny, they tend to behave more. ‘May I meet her?’

He hesitated. ‘It’s best if she doesn’t meet all the candidates.’ Of course he was right, and I should have thought of that. “And considering that you don’t want to do this long-term, it probably won’t work out, so it doesn’t make sense.”

‘Oh, okay.’ I deflated a bit but tried not to show it. I pushed a hand through my hair, crossing and uncrossing my legs. Despite the icy chill inside from the AC, my skin was a bit clammy from the heat outside. I raised my eyes to his and, to my astonishment, caught him looking at my legs. Goose bumps broke out on my skin—because he was looking? Okay, maybe it was for the best if I didn’t get this job. If I needed to fan myself when he checked me out, I couldn’t imagine how I’d feel if I were around him for too long. Perhaps it was best not to find out.

‘I’d still like to know a bit more about the job. When would I have to be here?’

‘From nine in the morning until six in the evening. I come home then and eat dinner with Paisley.’

‘Would you like me to cook too? My skills aren’t fancy, but I can make simple meals.’

‘No, that’s fine. I always make our dinner.’

I had no idea why, but the thought of that made me swoon. I could imagine this guy in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up.

‘Okay, then, I think that’s everything, right?’ I asked.

‘What would you do with my daughter?’ he said abruptly.

‘Well, first I’d get to know her a bit and see what she likes to do in her free time and find out if she enjoys books, or going out in nature, or staying indoors. Every child is different. I haven’t had the chance to focus on just one until now. But I’d love to.’ My words faded as the patter of feet reverberated from the spiral staircase to our left. I instinctively looked in that direction, noticing a lively nine-year-old girl descending them in a rush.

‘Daddy, can I go in the backyard?’ she exclaimed, her dark brown hair floating around her. She was wearing pink cotton pajamas with nothing on her feet. She skidded to a stop when she saw me, eyes wide. ‘I’m sorry, Daddy, I didn’t know you were with someone.’

‘Hey, Paisley,’ he said.

Oh my God. I felt it in his voice that he was smiling.

When I turned to look at him, my heart went into overdrive. He was completely transformed. His face lit up completely. His eyes weren’t intense now. They were happy.

Yeah, broody Tate was hot, but smiling, happy Tate was drop-dead gorgeous.

Paisley ran up to the TV console, and though it took me a second to realize it, he was playfully trying to block her way.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He grabbed her around the middle, tickling her little tummy.

Good God, this is too much for my hormones.

“Getting chocolate, Daddy.’ Her innocent green eyes looked pleadingly at her father. The whole scene was adorable.

He looked at the console over his shoulder. ‘You’re stealing chocolate every morning?’

‘I am not stealing it. I’m eating it. You never told me I’m not allowed to eat chocolate in the morning when you aren’t looking.’

“No, I wasn’t that specific. My bad.”

He burst out laughing. I couldn’t help but smile big. Paisley was one lucky little girl.

Tate looked at me directly, and my stomach somersaulted. ‘Lexi, this is Paisley. Paisley, this is Lexi. I’m interviewing her to be your new nanny.’

He released his daughter, and as Paisley straightened up, she looked at me curiously. ‘You’re pretty,’ she said.

‘Why, thank you,’ I replied.

She looked at my braided hair longingly. ‘Can you teach me how to do that?’

‘Sure. I could braid it right now if you want to. Do you have a mirror here?’

‘Yes.’ She pointed to the wall opposite the TV console. There was a mirror in the corner I hadn’t noticed. I looked at Tate questioningly, and he nodded.

Taking Paisley’s hand, I brought her to the floor-length mirror. ‘Okay, let’s do it sideways. This way, so you can see what I’m doing.’ Her hair was silky and already brushed perfectly, so it was easy to braid it.

‘Dad, can you record it on your phone? That way I’ll know how to do it later.’

‘Sure,’ he said, coming up right next to us. This was the closest we’d been since he walked me inside the house. I couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath. My fingers trembled a little, and I lost my focus for a few seconds. His body radiated heat and masculinity. Just being inches away from him was messing with my senses.

‘There, you’re done,’ I said a few minutes later.

Paisley looked at her braid in the mirror, smiling broadly.

‘I love it. Daddy, when are we having breakfast?’

‘After Ms. Langley leaves. Why don’t you go to your room and change, and I’ll call you when it’s ready, okay?’

Paisley nodded, heading toward the staircase right away.

‘She’s very well behaved,’ I said once she was out of earshot and while we were still standing next to the mirror. He was a foot farther away than he’d been when he was recording but still too close for my peace of mind. I couldn’t understand how his nearness could impact me so much. But I suspected Tate Maxwell was the kind of man that made an impact on a room no matter how many people were in it. He had a dominating presence that took up all the space available.

‘She’s a great kid,’ he said, looking up at me from his phone with a slight smile.

‘Okay, well, I’m going to go, then. Give me a call if you think I’d be a good fit.” As we started to walk to the door, I asked, “How long do you think you’re going to need to make a decision?’

‘I have more interviews today and tomorrow, and I’ll probably make up my mind afterward. I need someone as soon as possible. I’m working from home until then.’

‘Okay. I’ll order an Uber.’ I took out my phone and was lucky there was a car nearby. “It’s going to be here in two minutes.”

As we stepped outside, Tate offered, ‘I’ll walk you to the gate.’

“Thank you.”

We walked side by side on the porch steps. When Tate reached the gate, he opened it with one hand. Our arms brushed in the process, making me shiver. I straightened up instantly, looking up at him.

‘Thank you for your time. I’ll be waiting for your call.’ My voice was a bit uneven, and I was hoping he didn’t notice. How is this happening?

“I’ll be in touch, Ms. Langley.” His eyes darkened.

I averted my gaze. Oh wow. Is my imagination playing tricks on me, or was he checking me out again?

His presence didn’t feel magnetic right now but almost dangerous. Like if I stayed too close to him for too long, I might lose myself. And I couldn’t let that happen, could I?

I had a golden rule. I didn’t go out with parents. It seemed unprofessional, and I didn’t want the kids to think I had favorites. Paisley wasn’t at my school, but I was still sticking to my rule.

But that didn’t mean I couldn’t indulge in a little daydreaming.

Oh, Tate Maxwell. Why do you have to be so hot that my imagination is already wandering to forbidden territory?

Forbidden but soooo delicious.