She needed to focus on her new deadline and forget about men altogether. They weren't worth the heartache.
She stared at the screen, willing words to come, but her mind wandered.
She'd been so in love with Clint.
It had been at one of her mother's charity events. Libby always felt awkward at such events. People assumed she had money to spend because she had multiple books published and when she never bid on anything she felt she was being judged. On this particular night she'd figured her obligatory two-hour attendance was up when Clint had introduced himself. He was a doctor, planning to specialize in the same field as her parents. That should have been her first warning.
He'd made her laugh with his assessment of the people around them: those who were there to be seen, those who were sure their social status was locked up in how much they bid for an item, and those there to have fun.
Libby had been relieved to have someone to talk to. They chatted mostly about his work and for the first time Libby was glad all her family were in the medical profession, because she could understand what he was talking about and could empathize.
Before she knew it, it was the end of the night and Clint had asked for her phone number.
He'd called the very next day and they'd met for coffee. Libby had listened while Clint told her about his dream to be neurosurgeon like Libby's father.
After that they spent as much time together as they could, but his long working hours made it difficult. Libby stopped writing so she could meet his schedule, and when they didn't see each other he would call. She introduced him to her parents and then endured a dinner at which the three of them spoke about surgery. Afterward her father had been impressed by Clint. Libby might not have followed the family tradition, but she could marry someone who did.
She knew Clint's roster by heart and was thrilled when the phone rang – and disappointed when it didn't.
She told herself to be happy with the time he gave her, though it wasn't much. Part of her worried that his job took so much of his time. Any children they had would miss their father like she had. But at least they'd have her.
Libby had been so caught up in the dream that she'd been late delivering her second manuscript and almost lost her contract.
Then she'd cancelled a dinner with her parents and Clint had been angry. He had a scholarship opportunity he wanted to discuss with her father. She'd told him to go without her and he had. From that point the phone calls were fewer and further apart. It was her mother who had told her that Clint had won the scholarship, and when Libby had mentioned she hadn't seen him recently, she was told not to be needy. Training to be a surgeon was hard work.
Finally she found out the real reason she'd seen so little of him. Her mother had rung to tell her all about the wonderful scholarship dinner she'd attended the night before, and to ask why Libby hadn't told her she'd broken up with Clint. He'd been there with a charming woman and they were engaged.
Libby had felt as though she'd been sucker-punched, but she asked her mother for all the details. Finally her mother seemed to realize that Libby hadn't known about the fiancée. "Are you all right, Elizabeth?"
"Fine." It was all Libby had been able to choke out. She hung up and let the tears flow.
It had taken her a day to get through her tears and then she buried herself in her writing, immersing herself in another world, a world where Clint didn't exist, where she hadn't been dumped by the man she'd loved, where she decided the fate of others. She understood what her mother did not. Clint hadn't loved her.
He had used her. Used her to get the scholarship he so desperately wanted.
He hadn't found Libby interesting enough to want her or love her.
She'd so desperately wanted to be loved that she'd ignored all the signs.
Even after the truth came out, Libby had never confronted Clint. She never demanded an explanation.
The fact that she'd rolled over without a fight irritated her still.
Reviewing their relationship now she'd realized she'd made all the sacrifices. She'd run to him when he'd called, she'd not questioned his desire to take the relationship slow. He'd never invited her to his place, was always too tired for a physical relationship, had barely even kissed her.
Even now the pain was still there. She held her hand to her heart. Clint had reinforced what her parents had taught her – she wasn't loveable.
She wouldn't forget it, just like she wouldn't allow herself to walk blindly into a relationship again. And she certainly wouldn't put a man before her writing again. She was stronger and wiser now.
Her offer to be Kate's nanny was a good financial decision and nothing to do with Adrian.
She sighed, stretched and focused on her screen. She really did need to get some words down. The climax to her book was right around the corner and she just had to get there. The rest would flow from that point.
She scrolled back a couple of pages and read where she was up to. Then she wrote.
***
There was a click from the hallway, the sound of the door opening. Libby got up and walked a few steps toward the entrance as Kent came in. His hair was damp from sweat, his clothes clung to his body and Libby imagined other women would find him sexy as hell.
She took a step back.
It was going to take some getting used to seeing Adrian as Kent. "How was the concert?"
"Great. How were things here?" He glanced toward Kate's room.
"Great," Libby echoed. "Kate had a burger and sundae, then she finished the first chapter of her book and was in bed by 8.30 without complaint."
"Good. I'm glad." He shifted his stance, more Adrian than Kent. "Give me a second to clean up." He motioned to his face and ducked into the bathroom without waiting for her response.
She should pack up and be ready to leave. Should she ask if he'd considered her offer or would it seem pushy?
She saved her work, backing it up to a USB stick, then shut down her computer and packed it away.
"I've had a chat to Kate about her nanny," Adrian said quietly.
Libby turned to see he'd come out of the bathroom, his face now clean of make-up. Despite the black clothes he was much more like Adrian now. She had a sudden urge to run her hand over his cheek to feel the dampness of his skin.
She clenched her hand as he went over to the sideboard and picked up a piece of paper. He handed it to Libby. "These are Kate's requirements."
Libby took the note, and when he signaled for her to read it, she opened the list. It was remarkably short.
Games. Exploring. Writer. Cook. Fun. Nice.
Libby smiled. She liked the order of it. "Exploring new places is one of my favorite things."
"Can you cook?"
Her freezer full of microwave dinners sprung to mind. "I don't cook very often but I can follow a recipe." She'd have to go out and buy a recipe book. "What are your requirements for Kate's nanny?"
Adrian seemed surprised by the question. "She needs to be responsible. Trustworthy. Have Kate's best interests at heart. And most importantly, Kate has to like her." He paused. "I think you fit the bill."
"Are you asking me to be Kate's nanny?"
"If you still want to be."
"Yes. Yes, I do." A little thrum of excitement started up in her veins. They wanted her.
"I'll get George to come around with the paperwork in the morning and you can move into the nanny's room down the hall. I have no commitments tomorrow so you won't need to start until Monday night." Adrian was all business.
The excitement died down. Of course. She was only needed when Adrian wasn't working. Libby pushed aside the disappointment. It would give her a couple of days to work on her story.
"All right. I'll see you then." She picked up her bag and waited as he just stood there. Should she shake his hand, kiss his cheek or something?
No, it felt too weird. She waved. "Good night."
"Night, Libby." He didn't move.
Libby hurried out of the room feeling like a fool.
Chapter 5
When Kate got up the next morning, Adrian gave her the good news. "Libby has agreed to be your nanny."
Kate's mouth dropped open and she stared for a second before she jumped up and punched the air. "Yes! Thank you, Uncle Ade." She flung her arms around him and squeezed him tight.
Adrian hugged her back. "It's my pleasure, kiddo." He really hoped he wasn't making a mistake. He had spoken with George about it last night and George had agreed Libby would make an excellent nanny. George had spelled out the two other options: a hired nanny who would be a complete stranger, or sending Kate back to Texas to summer camp. There wasn't much of a decision to make, but he couldn't help worrying. "You need to get ready, because I've got our adventure planned and we're leaving soon."