Best Friends Forever

My heart swelled at the news, though it was kind of an unseemly reaction to have. “They divorced—?” I felt like a terrible person for my surge of happiness at the idea, since it broke up a family and likely left Elle devastated. “I assume he has part-time custody of Elle and just wants someone to fill in on his weekends?” He’d always been so busy when we lived next door that I assumed he was still the same workaholic. Back in the day it seemed like work came before family with Ben Hudson. That was the one thing I hadn’t particularly admired about him. No matter how handsome he might be, or how much he sparked forbidden ideas in my teenage head.

“Yes, the divorce has been final for the past year, but he has full custody so he’s looking for someone full-time. I’m authorized to make you an offer you can’t refuse, so what might that be?”

Without thinking about it, I blurted out the amount I still owed for tuition, including the final installment that wasn’t yet due. “I need that as a signing bonus, and then living expenses and room and board?” I suggested the last part tentatively, not certain if they wanted a live-in nanny or not. It would be an ideal solution for me, since I didn’t particularly care for my roommates, and I’d love to have my own room again instead of sharing with two other girls. The apartment we’d taken near campus was this side of a slum, and I’d happily trade it for digs at the Imperial any day—even if it meant sleeping in a storage closet, which would probably still be roomier than my curtained-off section of the bedroom I shared with the other two girls.

“I’ll relay that, but I can’t imagine it will be a problem. How about you pack your things and plan to show up tomorrow morning at seven? Be ready to work, Ms. Valentine.”

“Wow, okay!” I licked my lips. “And you’ll tell me if there’s a problem with my proposal?”

Mr. Baylor laughed. “I’ll certainly call you, but I can practically guarantee there will be no problem. He’s desperate enough to pay twice that amount, though maybe I shouldn’t tell you that.”

“I have no intention of taking advantage of him,” I said, shocked. “I wouldn’t do that to him or Elle.”

His tone was more serious when he responded. “I didn’t mean to offend you, and I wasn’t trying to imply you would. I’m just telling you that he practically would’ve given you the earth if that’s what you demanded to help with Elle. He’s worried about her, and she is such a lost little soul. I hope you’re ready to deal with all that.”

My stomach clenched with nerves. “I hope so too,” I answered softly.

It was sad to think Elle wasn’t the adorable, sweet little girl I had babysat years ago. I wasn’t certain what I was getting into, but whatever it might be had to be better than my current prospects for the future—getting another part-time job and detouring to community college for a couple of years. And that was if I could afford to put myself through school at all. If I didn’t, there went my dreams of owning a gallery and being financially stable. I’d be waitressing and worse, while occasionally painting for fun, if I had the time, energy, and money for supplies. It wouldn’t be that difficult to help Elle, since she used to be such a sweet child. She’d get back there. Wouldn’t she?

It certainly wouldn’t be hard to see Ben Hudson either, but that was a thought I couldn’t afford to have. He was probably nearly twice my age, now divorced from his flake of an ex-wife, and obviously dealing with family problems. I was still practically the same girl I’d been before, though I might be more grown up. I was more mature as well, but I wasn’t stupid enough to fool myself into thinking I could handle a man like Ben Hudson. I was taking this job because I needed the money, and Elle needed me, and that was all there was to it.

I put h

is handsome face out of my mind.

Chapter 3

Ben

My phone rang just as I was wrapping up the meeting with the new client. I moved off to the side of the conference room as my assistant escorted Mr. Collins and his crew from the room. “Hello?”

“She said yes,” said Erik Baylor briskly.

A wave of relief shot through me at the news. “Was it difficult to get her to agree?”

“No, sir. She wants a signing bonus, and the amount gels with what the background check revealed. Ms. Valentine needs money for tuition, so that’s what we offered.”

“What background check?”

There was a slight hesitation before he answered. “I naturally assumed you would want me to run a check on Elle’s prospective nanny, Mr. Hudson.”

I let out a breath I’d been holding. “Yes, of course. I didn’t think about it. I guess I’m still remembering Lindsay as the little twelve-year-old.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What did you turn up?”

“Nothing on Ms. Valentine herself. Her father is a treasure trove of questionable judgment and poor fiscal management though.”

“Hmm. I suppose I do remember that about him.” I hated to imagine the poor young girl dealing with that, but was also happy that the fact she needed money helped get her to accept the job. “How much does she need?”

Erik named the sum before adding, “And she wants a monthly salary and room and board. I told her it’s a live-in position, correct?”

If only I could avoid having a woman living in the home. It was different with Betsy and Margot, the chef. They stayed in a different part of the apartment, and both women were married, so I didn’t have to worry about entanglements. And Margot was old enough to be my mother.

I didn’t see a way around having Lindsay live with us though. Elle needed a constant, stable influence, and I doubted it would be a problem anyway. I was probably way too old for her to try to make a play for, and I certainly wasn’t going to be tempted by a mousy young girl who was going to be underfoot all the time. She was too young, and I knew better than to get involved with someone who would expect a commitment. Not that I anticipated being tempted in the slightest by the older version of the chubby, bespectacled tween I’d known.

Chapter 4