I still couldn’t believe I’d sobbed all over him. His poor shirt had been soaked with my tears. At least I hadn’t leaked milk on him at the same time. I never would have recovered.
He hadn’t asked us to leave, though, so he couldn’t have been as mortified as I was. In fact, he reiterated in his daily notes that Joey and I were welcome to stay for as long as we liked.
And we did like.
Joey had become a sleeping rock star since we’d moved in, and I was…well, less of a rock star and more of a cruise ship lounge singer. Still, previously, I’d been more of a karaoke singer without a mic or the scrolling screen of lyrics.
But the sleep I got was restful, which made a massive difference in my disposition and outlook. It no longer felt like the sky was falling. My house was still a wreck, Liam had done a runner, my body wasn’t the same, and sometimes I considered what it would be like to kiss Elliot, but I was okay. Safe, with a gorgeous roof over my head and an even more beautiful little daughter.
I stroked Joey’s cheek as she nursed. “We’re going to meet some nice people today, honey. One of them might be your nanny while Mommy and Elliot go to work. Not that it matters if Elliot is here. He’s not responsible for you, which you know, of course, even though you like when he holds you in the palm of his hand. I think you got a little mixed up about that. You’re supposed to wrap him around your pinkie.”
The first of three candidates arrived right on time. Mary was young, no more than twenty-two, but according to the agency I’d contacted, she’d been taking care of babies and children most of her life.
She bustled into Elliot’s house, giving me a firm handshake, then swept her gaze over the architecture.
“You have a very beautiful home,” she said in a brusque tone.
“Oh, it isn’t mine. The baby and I are staying with a friend.”
“And the father?”
“It’s just me,” I breezed. I had to get used to saying that since I was certain I’d be asked the same question for as long as I was single—which would be a long, long time.
Mary’s thin lips flattened into a straight line, and my gut bubbled with reservation. When I’d pictured a nanny for Joey, Mrs. Doubtfire or Mary Poppins had come to mind, not a staid-looking young woman with all the warmth of an ice cube.
I was probably being too hasty in my judgment, and that was most likely due to being nervous about leaving Joey with someone else when we’d been attached at the boob for two months.
“That’s okay,” Mary said in a tone that conveyed she didn’t actually think it was. “Is the baby sleeping?”
“Yes. She has a pretty regular morning nap, so she should stay asleep while we chat.”
“Good.” Mary nodded sharply. “Schedules are vital for infants’ development. They are the backbone of my nannying philosophy.”
Thinking she was joking, I started to laugh—a nannying philosophy sounded a little ridiculous. Mary merely glanced around the foyer with a tight expression, her hands clamped tight around the strap of her shoulder bag.
“Okay, great. Let’s go have a chat in the living room. I’d love to get to know more about you, Mary.”
She finally looked at me, lifting her chin in acknowledgment. “Certainly. I’ll follow you.”
We settled in the living room, Mary in an armchair, me on the sofa across from her. I’d set out bottles of water and cheese and crackers, which she ignored. It was fine. I wouldn’t have been able to eat during an interview either.
“Okay. Let’s get started.” I smiled at her, trying to convey good mother and totally not an impostor. She only blinked back, so I wasn’t sure how convincing I was.
“Excuse me. I’m sorry I’m late.”
Mary and I whipped around at the sound of Elliot’s voice. He unbuttoned his blazer as he strode into the living room. His gaze landed on mine, and he offered the barest hint of a smile.
He sat down beside me, so close his thigh brushed mine. I stared at him, confused by his sudden appearance.
Turning to him so my hair blocked my face, I murmured, “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for the interviews,” he stated, like it was that simple.
“You are?”
“Yes.” He patted my knee once then gave it a firm squeeze. “Introduce me.”
Mary leaped from her seat with more energy than she’d shown me the entire time. “Hello, I’m Mary Lewis. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Elliot didn’t offer her his hand and remained beside me. “Hello, Mary. I’m Elliot Levy. Catherine and I have some questions for you. Please, sit down and we’ll get started.”
This was the Elliot I was familiar with. The one who inspired hundreds of postscripts. Cold and abrupt. He hadn’t been that way with me lately, and the little green-eyed monster inside me was pleased Mary was receiving that treatment.
The hopeful expression on her face was instantly dashed. What she’d hoped for from Elliot, I could have only guessed.
“You have questions?” I asked under my breath.
“I do.” He raised a brow. “Don’t you?”
“Yes. This is my interview.”
He flipped his hands over on his legs. “Then I’ll just sit back and listen. Two heads are better than one, right?”
A part of me felt like I should have been arguing with him over this, but I really couldn’t think of a reason why. Elliot was well versed in interviewing, and even though I hated to admit it, I was relieved to have him beside me.
“Right.” I turned to Mary and pushed out a smile. “Let’s get started.”
We ran through the basic questions. Mary really did have an impressive résumé. I would have taken that with a grain of salt since I knew all too well how easily résumés could be faked, but an agency had vetted her, so I accepted it at face value.
Elliot, not so much.
“And you don’t mind if we call the last family you were with?” he asked, taking charge.
Mary shook her head. “I don’t mind at all. In fact, I expect it. I know it’s difficult for first-time parents to cut the cord and let go of complete control.”
I bristled at her words. Yeah, it was hard to let go, but I wasn’t a hover mother or anything. Well, I sort of was, but Mary didn’t know that, and I didn’t care for her implying there was something wrong with being nervous about leaving my baby with her.
Elliot was on a roll now. “Isn’t it understandable parents might be apprehensive?”
Mary melted into a saccharine smile. “Of course it is. I do my best to alleviate those nerves.”
“That’s a relief,” he stated dryly. “I’d like to ask what you would do in a few different situations. I’m sure hearing your answers will further calm our nerves.”
She stacked her hands on her knees. “Yes, feel free. I’m happy to answer all your questions, Elliot.”