Hard Hit (IceCats 3)
I nod. “Of course.”
“I wanted to get your opinion since you two know each other,” she says slowly. “I advised him to get a nanny service for when he travels for his work, but he’s insistent that his elderly neighbors will watch the child while he’s traveling.”
I shake my head. “If he has a live-in nanny, it will look better because she’s being paid and is a professional.”
“That’s what I was thinking. I told him I would get him some recommendations.”
I’m moving to my computer before she can even finish her sentence. “I’m sending you the best nanny service in town. I represent them, and the family the owner’s favorite nanny worked for just moved away, so she is up for grabs. She is the best. I’m also sending her an email to expect his call.” I turn my eyes to hers. “Make sure he does it this way.”
She nods. “Thanks. Can you maybe reach out to him, too? He was extremely agreeable with everything I suggested, but this, he didn’t seem to want to budge on.”
My heart races. I would love nothing more than to call and talk to him about this, but it isn’t my place. I bite my lip. “I don’t want him to feel like we’re tag-teaming him or that you’re running your mouth to me about his case. We’re on his side. He needs to remember that.”
“Exactly.”
“I’ll send an email with the nanny company’s information, and I’ll tell him that you were asking me for advice and I suggested the same thing you did.”
“That would be great. Thank you.”
She goes to get up, and I stop her. “Willa.” She looks down at me. “Please make sure he gets custody.”
She smiles. “It’s pretty straightforward. But you know me, I prepare for everything that could go bad, just in case.”
We share a smile. It’s something we both do. Make sure each I is dotted and T is crossed. As much as I don’t know what I’ll say in the email to him, I know I need to send it. I have to help them get what they want. I want the best chance for the best outcome for them. At this firm, we want to win not only for ourselves, but for our clients. I know Willa won’t give up until she has the result that Kirby wants, that Celeste needs. We don’t play; that’s why we’re successful.
In the legal world.
In the real world, we’re both single and childless.
But maybe, just maybe, I can change both of those things.
With Kirby.
I don’t know about this feelings shit. Aviva may be wrong, but I really, really want Kirby Litman, and I don’t know how bad an idea that is.
I’m sure I’ll find out.
Chapter Six
Kirby
* * *
Hey Kirby,
I know things have been rough, so I pray this email finds you in better spirits after meeting with Willa. You went with the best in the biz, and I am confident she’ll get you the result you want. I hope you were happy with the meeting and satisfied with your conversation. I wanted to reach out and let you know that Willa came to me for advice on the nanny situation, and I fully agreed that you need outside help. I know you’d want someone you trust, so I’ve included the contact information for a company I represent. They are wonderful, highly rated, and the owner’s favorite is the nanny I am suggesting for Celeste. I’m confident you will take our advice, and I know we’ll achieve the resolution you and Celeste deserve. Thank you for trusting our firm.
It was really wonderful to see you and Celeste. You’re an amazing dad, Kirby.
Good luck,
Jaylin
* * *
I should be ashamed that I’ve read this email at least nine hundred times since I received it three weeks ago. I don’t know why, but I want so badly for the words to change to: I think you’re a hot-ass dad, and I still want you.
Yes, I am aware that is ridiculous and silly, but damned if I don’t want it to be true. I could really read into the “really wonderful to see you” part. Does she want to see more of me? I want to see more of her. Fuck. So bad. I’ve hit reply a billion times and typed up the naughtiest of emails, but then I deleted them. I can’t just throw myself out there for rejection.
Not with everything that’s going on.
Aviva and Nico stand in the doorway of the nanny’s room. As much as I didn’t want to hire a nanny since my neighbors have a lot of feelings about it, I went with Willa’s and Jaylin’s advice. Plus, the moment that Celeste met Jean, she loved her.
Jean Espinoza is a cool chick. Really funny, spunky, and she knows how to care for a kid. She’s the middle of nine kids, and because of that, she’s nannying until she finds the right guy to marry. That guy is not me because she works for me, and from the moment I saw Jaylin again, I can’t think of anyone but her.