Sarah was taken aback. She’d never managed to deliver a spiel on her former vocation so eloquently. If it was rehearsed, it didn’t come off that way. Then there was her choice of words—freedom and space. Aiden would have to reach to turn down Lily.
He sat forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “What else can you tell me?”
Lily launched into more of her philosophy of child-rearing, walking him through her typical weekly schedule for a toddler. She talked of long walks and afternoons in the park, of play dates and visits to the library.
Sarah had to step away as visions of Lily’s plans appeared in her head. Oliver would have a wonderful, idyllic life and he’d be well cared for. It was everything she’d come looking for. If Aiden hired Lily, it would mean that Sarah had succeeded—she’d honored Gail’s wishes and found Oliver his forever home. So why did she feel so empty? Why did it have to feel as if she were looking out the rear window of a car as it sped away?
“Sarah, can I speak to you for a moment?” Aiden’s voice worked its way into her psyche, her weakness for him harder to ignore with his presence.
She sucked in a deep breath and shoved aside her feelings. “Yes, of course. What’s up?”
“Am I crazy or did I just find a nanny? Lily is perfect.”
She smiled and nodded, fighting her irrational tears. “I agree. She’s fantastic. You and Oliver will be very happy with her. I think you should offer her the job.” It was best to keep pushing him away, or else her heart would be a pile of rubble by the end of the weekend.
“Okay, then. It’s decided.” Not wasting a second, he strode into the library while Sarah followed. “Lily, I’d like to offer you the job. Can you start first thing Monday morning?”
Lily smiled awkwardly. “Oh. The agency should’ve told you I have another offer on the table right now. A family that’s moving to France. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to take it or not. I promised them I’d decide before the end of the weekend.”
“Whatever they’re paying you, I’ll double it,” Aiden said.
Aiden was clearly committed to moving forward. Sarah reminded herself this was supposed to make her happy.
Lily got up from the floor. “I appreciate that, but it’s not the money. Honestly, it’s the chance to travel.”
“I love to travel. I’d love to take Oliver on adventures all over the world and you can come with us.”
Sarah could imagine the three of them globetrotting together. Talk about feeling left out...
Lily cast her sights down at the baby. “He’s so sweet and you make a compelling case. If it’s okay with you, I’d still like to have the weekend to think about it. I know you need someone on Monday, but the other family wouldn’t need me to start for another month, so I could at least take over from...” Lily glanced at Sarah and pressed her hand to her chest. “I’m so sorry. I’ve completely forgotten your name.”
Sarah blanched. I’m so out of the picture I’m a ghost. “Oh, no worries. It’s Sarah.”
“I could take over from Sarah until you find a permanent replacement.”
“I guess I can’t ask for much more than that,” Aiden said. “But please, think about the things I said. I’m sure you and Oliver are a great match.”
Lily bid her farewells, which included several sloppy kisses from Oliver. Even the baby was practically ready to send Sarah on her way.
Aiden let out an exaggerated exhale as the elevator doors closed. “I’m so relieved that’s worked out, at least for the next month. I didn’t want you to think I was trying to hold you hostage. I just needed someone I felt good about.”
Sarah nodded. “I’m relieved, too.” And feel so much worse.
“Now you can go to Boston on Sunday.” He strolled into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. “Actually, you could go home earlier if you wanted to. The paternity results are in tomorrow and they’re sending over the legal team to take care of the paperwork. You could go home Saturday. I mean, if you’re eager to go.”
Seriously? Sarah felt as though her heart should just throw up its hands and stomp out of the room. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since they’d slept together and he was shooing her out the door? Her instincts that morning had been 100 percent correct. She needed to get out, not get wrapped up in the guy who hated the idea of being tied down. “Okay. I’ll leave as soon as it makes sense. Speaking of which, I have that conference call with Katie in a few minutes. I’ll take it in my room.” Tears threatened again, but she had to keep it together. She turned to the stairs, but Aiden stopped her with a hand on her forearm.