Page 9 of Worth the Try
I wince. It’s embarrassing to get fired at thirty. And besides, it’s none of his business.
“Her job downsized her, and now her landlord is kicking her out, so she’s moving in with me while she figures out what to do next.”
“Kari!” I hiss at my former best friend. Is she serious right now? “They don’t need to know all of that.”
Lennox leans in. “You need a job? You like kids?”
“Lennox,” Ansel warns.
Kari’s head swivels between the two men. “Wait—what’s going on?”
“Rosalie.” Ansel nods at his daughter. “I’m…in a bit of a bind.”
And suddenly, it all makes sense. Rosalie mentioned she was here because her dad couldn’t find anyone to watch her, but I’d assumed she meant only for today. Does he need someone to watch her for the entire summer?
Do I want to do that?
“It’s a great idea,” Lennox continues, turning to me. “So?”
“Um.” I stare at the floor.
“Will everyone calm down for a minute?” Ansel turns to me, and I wish he hadn’t. Because something about his voice makes me look back at him. And, whew boy, the intensity of his gaze is enough to make me squirm. As though I’ve done something wrong. I haven’t, of course, but tell that to the fight-or-flight response currently taking place inside my body.
But then his eyes soften, and the brackets on either side of his lips disappear. He keeps his focus on me as he continues, “You two are a lot. Give Elodie a moment to adjust to the idea and consider it. Most people aren’t dying to be nannies for a summer.”
The way he says my name gives me shivers. Then again, it’s ice cold in here.
Lennox snorts. “And live in your pool house? My man, if I weren’t going home to Scotland,I’ddo it.”
Ansel doesn’t bother looking at him, his expression all business. I get the feeling he’d be just as comfortable in a suit as shorts and a T-shirt. “He’s right. If you want the job—and if you pass the background check and interview we need to have—then yes, you would be required to live in theguesthouseon my property.”
“Oh, excuse me,” Lennox interrupts. “Theguesthouseon hisproperty.My sincerest apologies, me laird.” He gives an exaggerated bow, winking as he straightens.
Rosalie giggles.
Just the summer? In a guesthouse? With apool?
A wave of nausea hits. Do I really want to put myself in a situation where I’m around the very thing I can’t have? The very thing my fiancé broke it off with me for? I exhale, looking around for a chair.I thought I was past this.
Apparently not.
“Hey.” Ansel’s voice breaks through the noise as his face comes into focus. His warm caramel eyes flit over my face with concern. “Come sit down. You okay?”
A warm, calloused palm encircles my elbow and steers me to the padded bench against the windows. Heat ripples out from the glass, but it does little to dispel the chill that’s draped itself over me.
This is too much. I cradle my stomach and squeeze my eyes shut in a feeble attempt to keep the memories at bay.
Jeremy’s expression is carefully blank, reminding me so much of my father that it opens up a pit inside me. “I love you, but I want kids. I’m moving out. Keep the ring.”
“Miss Elodie?” Rosalie’s sweet voice comes softly from my right. “Want some water?”
I look down and blink, seeing that the little girl has brought me a cup of water. I take it, grateful she’s not filled it too much, and hoping no one can see the way my hand shakes.
“There,” Rosalie says. “Drink up. Sometimes I get lightheaded, and Daddy says it’s because I’m so busy talking that I forget to eat or drink.” With a motherly pat on my leg, she scampers off.
My mouth twitches. She’s painfully adorable.
With a soft snort, Ansel lowers himself to the bench, crossing a powerful leg on the cushion so he can face me. “I’m sorry about Lennox…andKari. They’re quite the duo when they get something in their head.”
