Jacob got up and handed over Oliver, who snuggled right into Aiden’s chest. “We had a great time, Aiden. You have an awesome little boy here.” He helped Anna get up from the floor.
“You had a good time?” Aiden asked Oliver, rubbing his back and breathing in that magical baby smell.
“He had the best time,” Anna said. “He’s such a good baby.”
Oliver tugged the sunglasses threaded on Aiden’s shirt, smearing them with his tiny fingers. Aiden didn’t care that they were five-hundred-dollar shades. He merely took the chance to kiss Oliver’s temple and hold him close.
Sarah peeked around Aiden’s shoulder. “Hey, sweet pea,” she said.
Oliver’s face lit up, and an elated gurgle rose out of him when she went in for a kiss. They rubbed noses, mere inches from Aiden’s face. Sarah’s soft, musical laugh filled his ears. Something deep inside him wanted to hold on to that moment forever. Disappointment washed over him when it ended.
Sarah was a missing piece. And that piece was leaving on Sunday.
Thirteen
As every minute passed, it became more difficult to be with Aiden. Sarah had entered territory she’d vowed to avoid, and she’d been a fool to think she could step out of it by adopting a steely demeanor. She could convince her brain of a lot of things, but it didn’t mean her body was going to be on board. Just sharing the same air made everything harder—it only made her want him more.
The apartment buzzer rang. “That must be the final nanny,” Sarah said to Oliver, scooping him up.
Aiden emerged from his office, where he’d been working. “What’s this one’s name? Lucy?”
His voice dripped with doubt, saddling Sarah with the fear that he’d turn down their final option. If he did, he could deal with the repercussions. Oliver was his responsibility, not hers, and she wasn’t going to stay because Aiden refused to make a decision.
“Her name is Lily. Her credentials are exceptional. I think she could be the one.”
“I read her résumé, Sarah. You don’t have to keep selling me on these people.”
Sarah choked back a frustrated grumble. If he were going to sabotage this, he’d better be prepared for a lecture when Lily left.
The elevator doors slid open and Lily roved into the foyer. Her wavy auburn hair was past her shoulders, barely tamed. She wore a swishy orange skirt that grazed the floor and a white tank top—not the professional interview attire Sarah expected. Maybe Aiden wouldn’t have to ruin this. Maybe Lily would. “Langford residence?”
“It is. I’m Aiden.” He stepped forward to shake her hand. “This is Sarah. She’s been filling in as nanny until we find a permanent replacement.”
His choice of words stung, especially after what had happened last night. It was confirmation of the way he saw her—as a temporary fixture. “Hi,” Sarah said. “This is Oliver.”
Lily’s eyes grew impossibly large and she tilted her head as she went to him, taking his tiny hand. “Hello, Oliver. Aren’t you the cutest thing ever?” Her voice was pure fairy-tale princess—full of magic.
Oliver was immediately taken, going to her.
“If it’s okay with you,” Lily said, “I’d like to play with him while we chat. I’m not big on formality.”
Sarah never would’ve deigned to dictate the course of an interview when she was nannying, but she couldn’t argue with Oliver’s reaction to Lily. He was infatuated, babbling away and tangling his fingers in her hair. Aiden gestured for them to go into the library, where many of Oliver’s toys were spread out on the floor.
Lily plopped down on the rug and jumped in with playtime. “I assume you’ve seen my résumé.”
Aiden sat while Sarah stood, observing. “It’s impressive,” he answered. “You’ve worked for some very high-profile families.”
“I’ve been lucky to have had the chance. And every child I’ve ever cared for has been wonderful. It worked well with those families because they appreciated my approach to nannying.”
“And how would you describe that?” Aiden asked.
“Well, of course I’m firm with the children. They need some boundaries. But otherwise, I believe in letting them take the lead. If we go to a museum, we do what the child wants to do. If we do an art project, we make a mess if that suits the child’s disposition. If we go to the park and he wants to dig in the dirt rather than play on the swings, we do that. We’ll sing songs at the top of our lungs and splash water in the bathtub. Kids need freedom and space.”