“Would you like something to drink? Coffee? Water? Soda?”
“No, thank you. I’m good.” She smoothed her hands over the cheap fabric of the white shirt she wore, hoping she looked presentable enough. Coupled with her black slacks, this was the most professional-looking outfit she owned. “I really appreciate the opportunity to interview for—”
“This isn’t what we agreed to.” The man who entered the kitchen with Jay on his heels wasn’t happy. Not at all. In fact, his expression looked downright homicidal. Couple that with the matching set of guns holstered under his arms, and her knees were ready to buckle from pure unadulterated fear as he approached.
“Adam,” Eve said, stepping forward and intercepting him with both palms pressed to his chest before he could toss Summer out on her broke butt. “Jay wouldn’t have invited Summer here unless he thought she was the right fit. And besides, we agreed, we need the help. So, let’s all sit down and have a nice conversation before we make any decisions, shall we?”
His back ramrod straight, he dropped his gaze to look down at Eve, his facial features visibly relaxing when she smiled at him. Proof positive, she had him wrapped around her finger tighter than the huge diamond solitaire on her left hand. “Alright,” he agreed, planting a kiss on her forehead before turning his assessing gaze back to Summer. “Let’s chat.”
“I’ll leave you to it,” Jay said. About to make a quick break for the main exit, his departure was delayed when a frazzled woman carrying a screaming baby burst in. Where Eve was sex kitten pretty, this woman was beautiful in a raw, winter is coming and going to kick your ass kind of way.
“Adam,” she cried, her green eyes broadcasting her panic. “This baby is broken! I can’t watch her anymore. It’s too stressful. I’m fucking sweating.” She lifted one of her arms in illustration. “Look at my pits!”
“Where’s Chase?” Adam asked.
“Flying lessons with Grant,” she replied. “Bastards told me they’d be back two hours ago.”
“Maybe they crashed?” Jay said.
“Fuck they better have.” The baby’s wail grew louder, and the woman bounced the bundled infant while rocking back and forth.
“Have you given her a bottle?” Adam demanded.
“Yes.”
“Burped her?” Jay added.
“Of course.”
“Changed her diaper?” Eve said.
“Yes! I’m telling you—she’s broken!”
“Have you been holding her the whole time?” Summer asked, feeling more than a little self-conscious as every set of eyes in the room looked her way.
“Yeah. She won’t stop crying.”
“May I?” She stepped forward and reached for the baby. One look at her red face and she diagnosed the problem. “If you’re hot, then she will be too.” She laid the baby on the table and loosened the blanket she’d been swaddled in. Next, she unzipped the heavy velvet one-piece sleeper before slipping her tiny arms and legs out of it.
The cooler air washed over her bare limbs, and she calmed down. A few hiccups later, she lay quiet in her onesie, her limbs twitching in contentment as Summer rubbed gentle circles over her belly while trying to figure out what Little Miss JTT meant.
“Who are you?” the newcomer demanded.
“Summer Summers.”
“Summer Summers?” she replied with a wicked grin. “That’s a shitty name. Was your mother stoned when she had you?”
Summer grinned back. The woman had nailed the truth on the head without even knowing.
“Grace!” Adam barked.
“What?” she shot back.
“Filter,” he replied before flicking his gaze back to Summer. “Sorry about that. We’re still working on my sister’s communication skills.”
“I’m not a community project, asshole.” She pulled out a chair, the legs scraping against the hardwood floor before she plopped down. “So? Why are you here?”
“Summer’s interviewing for the nanny position,” Eve said, picking the chair closest to the baby to settle into.
