Sun-kissed (The Au Pairs 3)

"I'm glad you guys have met. Shannon has a lot of experience and excellent references," Anna explained.

Jacqui gave the younger girl a sideways glance. Last night,

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Shannon had admitted to Jacqui that despite her impressive resume, the only kids she'd ever babysat were her younger siblings. Still, Shannon looked the picture of innocence.

Anna clasped her hands. "So, here we are, another summer in the Hamptons!" she said, mustering a cheerful tone even though Jacqui had heard her and Kevin battling over the credit card bills last night. Anna was already on her third cup of coffee, and it was obvious the strain of her crumbling marriage was getting to her.

Jacqui opened her notebook, her pen poised to take notes on Anna's list of expectations for the children's educational, spiritual, and physical activities for the next three months.

"This year, I have nothing planned for the children," Anna announced.

Jacqui almost fell out of her chair. Every summer, Anna planned a strict, hour-by-hour regimented schedule and a list of unachievable goals she expected the children to accomplish and the au pairs to facilitate. Last year, there had even been an hour-long PowerPoint presentation.

"Nothing?" Jacqui asked, mouth agape.

"I've been reading a lot lately about 'mini-midlife crises'-- about kids who are so thoroughly scheduled that they experience undue anxiety and juvenile stress syndrome. You know, like those Japanese kids who throw themselves out the window during finals," she said with a meaningful look toward Shannon.

"They call it karoshi," Shannon replied cheerfully. "Suicide due to overwork. It's rising among grade-schoolers especially."

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"Right," Anna said a little nervously. "Anyway, I don't want that for the kids. Therefore, this summer is all about play. I want them to relax, enjoy themselves. Let them be free ..."

"To do what they want," Shannon finished.

"Exactly. I think that's about it."

"That's it?" Jacqui asked, still incredulous.

"That's it," Anna said.

Jacqui couldn't believe it. No riding lessons, no surfing lessons, no kabala camp, no krav maga, no conversational French, Italian, and Cantonese? No ballet, no yoga, no Pilates, no Yogalates? The kids free to do whatever they wanted? Play video games, watch movies, go to the mall, swim, hang out with their friends . . . nothing educational or aspirational at all?

As they walked out of the screening room, Jacqui couldn't help but share with Shannon how different this summer was going to be compared to the ones before.

Shannon smiled craftily. "Who do you think sent her the Time article on stressed-out grade-schoolers? I know what these alpha moms are like. I'm here at the Hamptons for some fun, hello! By the way, you don't need to thank me."

Jacqui granted her new coworker a respectful nod. Shannon Shin might be a manipulative little wench, but one day at the Perrys' and she already knew how to work Anna. . . . Well, she might just come in handy.

"Did you get an invitation to the Sydney Minx opening?"

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Jacqui asked her. "It's tonight, and it's supposed to be the best party of the summer."

"No," Shannon said, her face dropping. "I don't know anyone here but you, really."

"Don't worry."

"Is that an invitation?"

"I think it's a truce," Jacqui said, sotto voce.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing. Now, let's decide what you should wear. ..."