At least I hoped not, because jail was definitely in my future guessing by the way the judge was glowering at me.
“As you can see, Jace had an allergic reaction to his clown makeup. These will be his rooms?—”
Oh, the judge didn’t like that. His head snapped from Polly, to me, then back to her, his face turning beet-red with anger.
“—when he moves his things in tomorrow.”
Honestly, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think Polly was an actress in another life. She was even making me start to believe her.
“He can’t be your nanny. He’s a boy.” The judge’s words made me stand up straighter and puff out my chest, forgetting I was naked from the waist up and clown from the waist down.
“You’ve really gone and made a mess of things, Polly. First with the divorce, then the party today, and that’s not to mention the kids’ schooling. Now you bring this boy into my home to watch your children. What are people to think of a mother who?—”
“Who brings someone reliable into their home to watch their kids?” Polly cut him off with a sharp voice, eyes hard and even. Her retort seemed to surprise the judge because his eyebrows hit his hairline.
“Jace is an adult with more experience with kids than most people his age. He has glowing recommendations, an impeccable driving record, and most importantly, he’s kind—a trait I value in anyone who cares for my children. Now, unless you’re telling me that men and women can’t do the same jobs equally, a fact I don’t think you’d want anyone in the public to catch wind of, I think we’re done here.”
Polly crossed her arms as she glared at her father, reminding me of the woman who had threatened me at the front door earlier today. Hot damn. I’d never been more attracted to a woman in all my life.
“I will email Jeffrey tomorrow to inform him that a nanny is no longer needed,” Polly said stiffly. For a moment, I thought I heard a small shake in her voice, but she was still standing tall and proud.
“I’ll take care of it,” the judge replied gruffly. “I will see myself out.” Giving me one final glare, he stalked out of the room.
As his footsteps faded down the hallway, Polly moved to the door and shut it quietly. She put her ear to the door and paused, her body sagging with obvious relief after a few moments. She slowly turned around, eyes closed, and leaned back against the door.
Her eyes immediately locked with mine as she opened them, flashing despite the shadows of the dark room. Standing there, all assessing green eyes, pretty pink mouth, and silky blonde hair, I felt that tingling all over my skin again. It was definitely not from the rash.
Polly’s voice was a whisper. “How much of that did you hear?”
Confused, I hesitated. “Uh . . . I heard everything you said to your daddy.”
My response must’ve frustrated her because she shook her head quickly, squeezing her eyes shut, then opened them. “No, not what I said to my father. Before that. When you were still in the bathroom.”
Anyone could see Polly was agitated. So even though I was confused as hell, I tried to keep an easy smile on my face to put her at ease.
“My head was dunked underwater in the sink to stop the itching. So, I didn’t hear much of anything until I came through that door.”
Polly’s entire posture melted, visibly relieved to hear this news. “I’m sure you have questions.”
“Maybe a few.”
“It’s complicated between me and my father. We’re not close. This is his house. My kids and I are only staying here because he’s allowing it. I need a nanny until the end of summer who can live here and stay with the kids overnight in case I get called into the hospital on the days I’m on call. The call requirement for my job is ending by September first so by then I think I’ll be able to get by with only after school care. I haven’t been able to find a reliable nanny yet and my father keeps threatening to hire one for me that looks like—” Polly’s words stopped suddenly, her posture straightening. She turned woodenly and painted what I think was supposed to be an apologetic smile on her face.
Not her real smile. Her expression looked like this house felt: cold.
I hated it.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to my family drama. I’m sure I sound like a pampered rich girl, complaining about the thread count in her sheets.”
“Family’s complicated. And I don’t mind. I’ve got nowhere important to be.”
Polly’s civil expression remained. I wanted to banish all insincerity from her face. I wanted her to look at me with one of her blinding smiles, hell I’d even take her rage over this.
“You can trust me with your secrets, Polly,” I said softly, not even knowing I was going to say it until they left my mouth.
Polly did a double take, her perfect mask cracking at my words, her shoulders relaxing. Silence hung between us until she flicked her eyes once more down the length of my body and back up. Nodding to herself, as if a decision had just been made, Polly took a deep breath in and started to pace back and forth in front of me.
“Ok. Well. How could this work? You’d have to go along with telling people you’re our nanny. Or maybe just don’t say no if people ask.” Polly was looking between me and the ground, talking more to herself than to me. “Or only at the club. Just so my father isn’t suspicious. That would give me time to find someone else . . .”
