I tell her, and she shrieks again. “That’s… a hundred eighty thousand dollars a year!”
“I know!” I walk to the French doors facing the lake. “I was going to flip out, but then I googled it. Most celebrity nannies make like two hundred a year.”
“So you’re not the highest paid nanny in America. I guess you’ll have to keep looking…” She’s playing it off, but I can tell she’s impressed. “You know, I had a feeling Remi was well-off, but hell. I didn’t know he was that rich. What is he? Bill Gates’s kid?”
“I don’t think Bill Gates is old enough to have a son Remi’s age. He’s only thirty.”
“Have you slept with him yet?”
I almost choke. “He’s my boss, Drew.”
“Well, have you?” She’s laughing now. “He’s hot as fuck.”
“You can say that again.” Leaning against the window sill, I remember him in those bare feet and faded jeans last night. “But I’m a professional childcare provider.”
“Why should that stop you?”
“I couldn’t keep working for him if I was sleeping with him.” My voice goes soft, and my stomach sinks at the truth. “I’d have to give up this amazing job… give up the chance at finally being financially independent.”
We’re quiet, and when she speaks again, I’m reminded why Drew and I have always been so close. She just gets me.
“So are you going to sleep with him?
We both start laughing harder. “I’m hanging up now.”
“Love you, hooker.”
“Love you more.”
Only Drew would know exactly the predicament I’m in—brain versus hormones.
Isn’t the brain controlled by hormones?
I’m in trouble.
A glance at the clock tells me I have about an hour before I have to pick up Lillie. Walking down the stairs, I stop on the landing at the second floor and see Remi at his impressive workstation, frowning at an enormous computer screen. Those hazel eyes quirk up to meet mine, and the frown is replaced with that smile.
My stomach tightens.
“Hey!” He slides back and stands, walking to where I’m waiting. “Did you meet Lillie’s teacher? She seems great, but I don’t know. What’s your professional opinion?”
That makes me grin. “She’s amazing. Lillie’s going to learn a lot this year.”
He nods, and I notice his bare feet again. He’s in those jeans, but this time he’s wearing a maroon tee that shows off his toned arms. Those biceps… I remember him lifting Lillie this morning at breakfast and how they flexed. It takes all my willpower not to exhale a delighted sigh.
“Seemed like something was up with Eleanor this morning.” He walks back into his office, and I follow, noting that ass, wondering how much I should share with him about my earlier power struggle.
I guess he did say Eleanor was driving him crazy, too. “I didn’t mean to have a run-in with her on my first day here.”
“Technically it was your second day.” He stops at his desk and looks up at me with that panty-melting smile. “What happened?”
The way he says it, it’s almost like a joke, like he knew it was coming all along. I guess that makes me feel less guilty?
“Apparently, she’d put out this fancy dress for Lillie to wear to school. I didn’t know, so I let Lillie wear what she wanted.”
“I thought Lillie looked great—exactly like herself. Mermaid princess.”
“Right.” Now I’m confident he’ll understand. “I guess I c