Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 53516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
"Yeah, well, I expect a lot of things and most of the time I'm disappointed." I shook off thoughts that threatened to surface, thoughts that drove me from my company, from the business world. Hell, from the world in general. Once I'd been stupid. Stupid in love. Stupid enough to believe a woman's lies and it almost cost me everything. Never again. "Her party isn't my problem."
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Nate sighed. "If she shows up on your doorstep, remember this moment."
I laughed. "She wouldn't do that, but I get your point. Though it would be entertaining to see her ankle-deep in mud in her designer shoes."
Nate laughed. "She'd do it if she thought it might get you to become the society man she hoped for."
He was right, of course. Mother and I had never seen eye to eye on damn near anything, but when my company became a success and my bank account outgrew my father's? Well, she pushed hard to turn me into who I was meant to be, complete with pushing the right kind of women in my path. I tried it out for a decade, that life, and it hadn't made me happy. It made things worse, so I turned my back on it and left Nate in charge. "What's this dinner party for?"
"Seriously?" Nate barked out another laugh. "I know you have access to the internet up there, which means your calendar even though you ignore it. Your birthday and mine are coming up in a few weeks."
"Shit," I growled. "It's October." When I'm in my cabin, or out on the mountain, months and dates don't mean shit. The sun rose and I took care of things. The sun set and I ate dinner, prepared for the next sunrise. "What do you want?"
"You mean other than the company I now run and the bank I make?" He scoffed. "I don't want anything."
"Too bad," I grunted at the phone. "You'll get something anyway and now I get to choose." I ended the call, laughing for the first time in a long time. Probably for the first time since Nate's last call.
I spooned up the chili even though it was damn near ice cold, still smiling as I thought of what to get Nate for his birthday. This wasn't exactly the life I imagined, but it was just the life that I needed.
It was quiet and peaceful. I could leave the mountain and get company when and if I wanted it, which I rarely did. It wasn't at all what I thought I'd be doing at the ripe old age of thirty-two, but it was perfect for me.
No, it was just perfect, period.
Chapter 2
Rosalee
Elite Nanny Service was my new employer. Technically, I didn't have a job yet, but Serenity Woods owned Elite Nanny Service, and she all but promised she could find me a placement soon. Tonight, though, wasn't an interview or a meet and greet with potential families; it was a mixer to welcome new employees.
I stood outside the ballroom doors where pop music played and conversation flowed, trying to shake my nerves. I looked down at the deep blue dress I'd picked out. It was flattering but not too sexy, and I didn't want Serenity thinking I was searching for a husband, because I wasn't. I wanted to work, and that was it.
"Are you planning on staring at the doors until they open?" a slightly husky voice sounded behind me, filled with amusement.
I turned to find a beautiful redhead wearing a leather jacket over a silky, pale pink dress that clung to her pregnant belly. "No, I was just trying to shake off my nerves."
"Nerves? For a ballroom full of nannies? Nonsense," she scoffed and hooked her arm through mine. "I'm Toni."
"Nice to meet you, Toni. I'm Rosalee, and I'm new to ENS."
"Of course you are. Come on, they don't bite, I promise." Before I could say anything else, she yanked open the door and tugged me inside the ballroom, where women in colorful dresses danced, drank, and laughed together like they were all friends and not colleagues. Not even really colleagues—just women who worked at the same agency. "I'll introduce you to a few of my girls."
"Um, okay."
Toni laughed and tugged me toward a group of women seated around a table. "Good evening, ladies. You're all looking suitably gorgeous. This is Rosalee, and she's new."
"Hi, Rosalee," they all answered with waves and smiles.
"Have a seat. I'm Lucy." She smiled, and her blue eyes sparkled as she motioned for the seat beside her and pointed to a black-haired woman in a green dress. "That's Sasha, and that's Molly," she said, pointing to a curvy blonde with a serene expression on her face.
"Nice to meet you all."
"What brought you to Texas and ENS?" Toni asked what I was sure they were all thinking.