“Oh right,” she nodded. “Sorry, I’ll leave you to it.”
“Uh wait, Kristen,” I called out after her, surprised that she had taken that as a dismissal.
“Yes?” she turned to me questioningly.
“Why don’t you bring your lunch in here and we can eat together?” I suggested.
She seemed surprised but happy at the prospect. “That sounds nice, but won’t it look a little strange to people?”
“Why should it?” I asked. “You’re my secretary, I’m behind on work, so we’re working and eating at the same time. That’s completely innocent.”
“If you say so,” she nodded.
She retrieved her lunch and joined me at my desk. Feeling as though my desk was creating a formal barrier between us, I walked around it and sat next to her. I noticed that she was fumbling a little with her lunch and realized she nervous.
“So, how’s the new nanny?” Kristen asked.
“Remains to be seen,” I replied. “So far, she seems to know what she’s doing, and she seems to like Noah a lot, too. That helps. I’ve got another babysitter on speed dial, in case of emergencies.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Elaine won’t come without notice,” I explained. “But Emily will; she’s younger and more flexible. I need that with my work schedule.”
“Right,” Kristen nodded. “Has Noah met them?”
“He’s met Elaine a few times now, and he’s met Emily once,” I said. “I’m hoping not to use Emily as much… But I have no idea how this is going to play out. I really need Mary Poppins right about now.”
Kristen smiled. “Don’t worry, you’ll find her.”
“You sound sure.”
“Hey, there’s bound to be someone out there,” she said comfortingly. “And, I suppose until then, Elaine and Emily will just have to do. But if all else fails, I’d be more than happy to step in.”
“You’re offering up your babysitting services?”
“I am,” she nodded. “And best of all, I won’t charge you a penny.”
“Wow, you like me that much?” I teased.
“Actually, I like Noah that much,” she corrected me.
We laughed, and I reflected on how nice and easy it was for me to talk to her. She looked so sexy, sitting there with her blouse slightly parted at the neckline and her hair cascading down her breasts. I imagined what it would be like to take her right here on my desk, but I had to suppress the urge. I had promised myself that sex would have to wait until we knew each other better.
“Kristen?”
“Yes?” she said, looking up at me.
“I really like spending time with you.”
She blushed slightly and looked down for a moment. When she looked back up at me, I saw that there was an edge of sadness in her eyes that I couldn’t quite understand.
“I like spending time with you, too,” she replied.
“I know we haven’t got a chance to do that much—”
“Hey, you have a demanding job and a child,” Kristen said. “I understand that. You don’t have to worry about explaining that to me. I’m not one of those girls who’s scared of being neglected. I don’t mind playing second fiddle to Noah. In fact, I expect it.”