Chapter 7

I stare at the little white card in my hand with the elaborate script and simple elegant border. Adrian’s name and phone number stare back at me as though challenging me to drop it.

I don’t need this card. Julian and I will be fine. Whatever comes, we will figure it out together. Yet, I can’t seem to throw this lifeline away as Adrian’s offer echoes in my head.

“Lily! Baby, do you want something to eat?” Julian calls into the bathroom.

At the sound of his voice, I break my stare-down with the card. “Sure.” I answer. Then take a breath and drop the card into the basket.

The next morning, I wake to the sound of my phone ringing. Groaning, I pick it up and see the hotel calling. I answer, bracing myself for the request to come in again.

“Lily, I really hate to do this, but we’re going to be removing you from the schedule.” My manager, ever prompt, bypasses the small talk and jumps right to the point of her call.

“What?” I jolt up in bed, “Why?”

“We’re cutting back on staff and the restaurant has been slow. Then after the complaint about you last night, the General Manager decided that you were on the list to go. I’m really sorry. You’re a great employee, and I’ll keep your name on the list to call when we pick back up. Put me down as a reference if you need one.” She may be tough, but she sounds sincere. “You’ll get the standard severance pay amount too.”

I nod dumbly, then remember I’m on the phone. “Okay, thanks.”

I hang up the phone and head into the kitchen where Julian sits with a cup of coffee. I pour myself one too and say, “I just lost my job.”

“What?” He snaps his head up. “How?”

“Budget cuts and Vanessa’s complaint.” I answer, snarling my nose at the other woman’s name. “All that over time, covering shifts, and taking the jobs no one else wants, they get rid of me over one drunk woman’s whining.”

“I’m so sorry, Lily.” Julian frowns into his coffee. “What are we going to do?”

I think it over a moment, doing the math in my head. “I think we’ll be alright. With what’s left of my student loans, the severance payment, and what I managed to save, I should have tuition covered next semester. I just have to find something that can help pay the rent.”

Julian clears his throat and shifts in his seat. “About that, I need to tell you something.” He looks nervous and I take a moment to remember I care about this boy because I have a feeling, I’m not going to like what is coming.

“Julian, what did you do?” I ask carefully.

“The student loan money, it’s gone.” He answers me.

“What do you mean, it’s gone?” I ask, beginning to panic.

“After the fight, I had to get a lawyer to get the assault charges dismissed. I had to pay him, and I used the money you had put away.” He answers as though he’s telling me why he got the wrong flavor ice cream at the store.

“Julian, what am I going to do? I can’t pay for college, not to mention the bills.” My voice rises and I struggle to keep calm. This is a nightmare. “If I don’t go back next semester, they could kick me from the program.”

“I’ll figure it out. We’ll get the money back.” Julian assures me. “The band can pick up some paying gigs.”

“Julian, your band has never been paid. I go back to school in a few months.” I try to reason with him. This is what I get for dating a musician.

“What do you want from me, Lily?” He snaps, “I’m not my father, I can’t just write you a check. If you’re short on money and you need it now, go call him.” His phone rings and he picks it up, ending the conversation as he storms from the apartment.

Suddenly Julian makes sense. This is why he’s never been great with money or concerned with paying the bills. He always had his father to bail him out, then he left home and had me.

Speaking of Adrian. I find myself rising and heading to the bathroom. There, on top of the trash, I find that little card as though it were waiting for me. I pick it up, grab my phone, and before I can think too hard about it, dial the number.

My heart stalls a little as the voice on the other end answers. It’s not Adrian. “My name is Lily.” I say, “I’m calling for Mr. Whitmore.”

“I know who you are.” The voice answers. “Adrian told me you might be calling and to help you out however I can. What can I do for you?”

“I lost my job.” I say, not really sure how to answer.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Do you need money?” The man asks and I bristle. I’m not that person. I don’t want Adrian’s money. Not without earning it.

“Actually, I was hoping for help finding another job quickly.” I say. “I don’t want anyone just giving me the money.”

“I understand.” The man says, a new respect in his voice. “What other jobs have you had?”

I start listing some of the positions I’ve had before. He stops me as soon as I mention a prior nanny job.

“We could use a nanny.” The man says. “Adrian has a six-year-old ward. Her last nanny resigned, and we haven’t found a replacement. It’s a live-in position though.”

Live-in meant I wouldn’t be living with Julian. But maybe some distance would be good. I can’t be picky about the job right now.

“The pay is generous.” The man continues. Once he says the number my mind is made up. With that amount of money, most of my problems would be solved.

“I’ll take it.” I say. The man tells me the address and when I should report for my first day.

Just as I’m hanging up the phone, I hear the front door open.

"Lily!” Julian calls. I walk out of the bathroom to see him in the kitchen. He has a bag from my favorite bakery in his hand. I know there will be a lemon muffin inside. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. That was unfair.”

I feel my anger extinguish in light of the promise of food and the new job.

“It’s okay.” I say reaching for the bag. “I got a new one while you were gone.”

His face lights up. “That was fast! Where?”

I’ve never lied to Julian before, but I know if I tell him the truth, he’s going to be angry. He won’t understand why I have to take it.

“Erica told me about it. Friends of hers need a live-in nanny. She knew I was fired and told them about me.” I say, ignoring my guilt.

Julian frowns, then pulls me into his arms and rests his head on my shoulder. “I’m glad you got a new job, but I hate you won’t be here as much. I’ll hardly get to see you.”

“We’ll make time. I promise.” I return the hug. I want to remind him of why I have to accept this job in the first place. I love Julian, but the fact that he won’t take an ounce of responsibility is infuriating.

We would avoid a lot of problems, if only he would grow up.

The next day, I pack my bags and head to my new address, almost relieved to have some space between us for a while.

Adrian

The woman leaning over my chair is infuriating. She’s pretty and clearly flirting with me. Normally, I would be playing along and making plans to meet with her after work. Today, I’m just annoyed with her.

“Tessa, why don’t you leave this with me, and I’ll call your boss tomorrow.” I’m not asking.

She looks a little flustered. She straightens her blouse, pouts her lips, and asks “Are you sure you don’t want me to go over it further?”

“Positive.” I answer, “Go.” My tone allows for no argument, and she saunters from the room.

“Are you feeling sick or something?” My Beta asks from across the room. He knows me too well.

Lily’s gorgeous face is at the forefront of my mind. I shake my head. If there is ever a woman considered off-limits, it’s my son’s girlfriend.

“I’m fine. You finish that contract yet?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s done. Oh, and that girl called. Lily. She lost her job and needed a new one. I hired her as Grace’s nanny. She has experience and they’re both human, so I thought it was perfect.” The Beta says as though telling me he ordered office supplies.

My head snaps up to stare at him. “The nanny is a live-in position.” I say.

“Yeah.” The Beta says, sounding confused. “What’s wrong? You have a fling with this girl or something?”

Kind of, but he doesn’t need to know that. No one does.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I scoff. “I’m calling it a day and heading home.”

I don’t stop to think about how odd it looks for me to leave so early. I just grab my jacket and rush out the door.