Crazy Hot (The Au Pairs 4)

"And then--this is the manager part---I need you to report back to me. I want you guys to keep logs on the kids. Write down everything they do and how they're reacting to the world. Are the activities worth their time? Are they developing at the normal rate? They're all gifted, so I want to make sure they're all being challenged enough. Bored people are boring."

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Jacqui cleared her throat. "I think Mara should keep the log. She's a great writer, so maybe it should be her responsibility."

Suzy shrugged. "Sure. I don't care, as long as it gets done."

Mara sighed inwardly but tried to keep a polite smile on her face. She couldn't help but be reminded of their first summer as au pairs, when Eliza and Jacqui routinely blew off their responsibilities to party, leaving Mara holding the diaper bag.

But as she glanced at the stack of books in front of her, a light flipped on in her head. A log would be a great way to keep notes as material for her book. Maybe she could even do it online, as a blog. . . . Everyone had one now, so that could be a great place to start. It would be good practice for writing every day, and maybe she could turn those notes into her book.

"Thanks again for taking the position on such short notice." Suzy stood and smoothed out some of the wrinkles in her suit, even though it looked like it had never seen an iron in its life and might never be able to recover. "Eliza has sung your praises to the heavens, so I'm sure I won't be disappointed." She held out her hand and shook both of their hands again, as if she'd just concluded a successful business deal. "I'll be reviewing the log every week and tailoring their activities and development according to what I find in it. I want a high yield on my investments, so to speak." Suzy winked to let them know she was kidding. "So just make sure they don't crash and burn."

Mara nodded. Even if all didn't go according to plan, she was used to putting out fires. She'd already been burned once today.

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THESE GIRLS CAN'T KEEP THEIR CLOTHES ON FOR LONG

"AAAAND HE'S OUT," MARA SAID, SLIPPING OFF HER

shoes and plopping down on her new bed's cushy duvet comforter. After parting ways just ten minutes ago to put the kids to sleep, she was already back to her new bedroom, and Jacqui was sprawled out on the leather sofa.

They'd spent the better part of the day being "debriefed" on each of the Finnemore children, learning all about their likes and dislikes, their goals, their academic achievements, even their medical history. Suzy was unbelievably thorough and wanted to make sure her au pairs were well versed in all possible information related to their charges. It was like cramming for finals at Columbia all over again. But the kids themselves were remarkably easygoing and good-natured.

"I didn't think a kid could go to bed that quickly. I just put him down in his crib, like Suzy told me, and left him there. Five minutes later, he's snoring." Mara hadn't believed it at first, having expected six-month-old Cassidy to fuss and holler, but the

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baby actually adhered to the rigid sleep schedule that was posted by his crib, as if he were well aware of the task at hand and wanted to stay on target. "Suzy said he'll sleep through the night, so we're off duty. Amazing." Mara shook her head and reached behind her for a pillow, wedging it under her head.

Jacqui laughed from the sofa, her glossy black hair spread out across the armrest like a fan. "Tell me about it! Can we clone those meninos? I read them a story, tucked them in, and that was it." Jacqui sighed happily, splaying her arms out on either side of her and letting her body sink into the soft cushions. "They almost don't need us," she added wistfully. Her success with the Perry children had led Jacqui to earnestly think about majoring in child development. The Finnemores were a cakewalk compared to her former charges, but part of her missed the challenge.

"We've got it made," Mara agreed, glancing around the enormous room she'd been given in the children's wing. It had a flat-screen television, a renovated bathroom with a Jacuzzi, a cushy double bed, and an Eames sofa. The whole room was furnished in a very modern style, in black and white with red accents--white walls, a jet-black duvet on the bed, a black leather couch with red cushions. Jacqui's room was identical and right next door. Compared to the Perrys' tiny, ramshackle servants' cottage, this was heaven.

"Fala serio!" Jacqui cried, sitting up. She picked up the remote from the floor and tried to figure out which of its hundreds of buttons would turn it on.

There was a rap on the door and Eliza walked in, looking a bit

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grimy from her day at the store--meaning, her hair was the slightest bit out of place and her pants were wrinkled. "Hey, ladies." She smiled.

Mara opened one eye. "Why, hello, m'dear."

"Nice digs, huh?" Eliza sat down beside Jacqui on the leather sofa and Jacqui scooted over. "I told Suzy there was no way she was going to stick you in the service wing. My room is just down the hall." There was a twinkle in her eye as she bounded from the couch and looked from one girl to the other. "You all aren't too tired, are you?"

"Why, what do you have in mind?" Jacqui sat up. She was always up for a little fun.

"I found some champagne in the fridge." Eliza removed a magnum of Cristal from her enormous Chanel bucket bag. "I think we should celebrate!"

Mara groaned.

Jacqui grinned.

"C'mon, Mar," Eliza pleaded. "What are you, a Sturbridge Puritan again? Or maybe you're a stiff Ivy Leaguer now," she teased. "Don't tell me you've forgotten how to have fun!"

"All right, all right." Mara sighed, slipping her shoes on. "But we better be back at a decent hour--according to Suzy, the baby wakes up at six!"