Last on the List (Wait With Me #5)(15)

“The Sea Monster is awake,” I exclaim with a dramatic flourish to my tone as I march past Max with my chin held high. “Ready for breakfast?”

“Yes, I’m starving.” Everly pats her tiny tummy. “Can we do pancakes?”

I turn on my heel and wince. “Is now a bad time to tell you I’m a terrible cook?”

Everly sighs. “Oh Cozy, what are you good at?”





The next few days go a bit more smoothly as we all find our rhythm. Cassandra continues to wake early and is in the house reading a book in the living room before Everly ever wakes up. I often pass her as I finish my workouts but do my best not to ask what’s on the agenda since that’s essentially a four-letter word to the new nanny. It’s honestly really frustrating to have such a contradictory employee. However, I allowed Everly to choose Cassandra based on her interview, so it would be a dick move for me to try changing her mindset on week one.

I just need to watch how this all plays out. I have a feeling Cassandra and Everly are going to tire of this willy-nilly summer sooner rather than later. And at that moment, I shall take my victory lap.

Although I will say, yesterday at lunchtime, I found the two of them out on the deck with their eyes closed. When I asked what they were doing, they said they were playing tennis against each other in their minds. Everly’s eyes were closed so tightly, her voice deadly serious as she yelled out, “Love all,” that I couldn’t help but think it was pretty damn adorable. Not that I’ll ever admit that out loud. Nor will I admit that I pay for a membership to a country club with professional tennis courts, and it kills me to think my daughter looked happier on that deck with Cassandra than she ever did during all those tennis matches we played together. Being a dad is really fucking weird sometimes.

Everly’s book report for the week is already done, and she even made a mood board with photos inspired by the story. She looked adorable as she presented it to me at lunchtime yesterday. When I asked Cassandra where her book report was, because she’s clearly an avid reader, she said her books weren’t for a child’s eyes. And after a slight pause, she smiled, mumbling to herself about how her mood board wouldn’t be appropriate for even my eyes.

She didn’t think I heard her, but I did. It made me wonder what kinds of naughty stories she might like to read. Not that I’m going to ask. Asking would be inappropriate. As my head swam with those thoughts, I had to scold myself and remind my cock that it’s imperative for me to keep a professional approach with Cassandra after practically groping her in the swimming pool on her first day.

Evenings with Everly have been great. Cassandra usually goes back to the guesthouse when my chef shows up to make dinner. Everly does a lot of talking about Cassandra and their “daydreaming sessions.” It gets a little old, but I guess it’s good to see her happy.

She talks to her mother around lunchtime every day, and I would have thought she’d be homesick for her since Jess has been gone for two weeks now, but Everly seems to be managing okay. That kid is growing up so fast. I’m really cherishing this extra time I’m getting with her.

I even have to admit that working from home has gone better than I expected. It’s amazing how much I can get done in a day when I’m not interrupted by my assistant or staff members. As long as I don’t have to jump into swimming pools to save grown women, I can get a lot accomplished.

Thursday morning, my phone rings, and I see my buddy Josh’s face pop up on the screen. “Well, hello, Dr. Richardson…how the hell are you?” I ask, noticing how bright my tone is this early in the morning.

“Where are you?” Josh inquires, sounding like he’s outside.

“I’m home…why?”

“’Cuz I’m at your office.”

“Oh, I’m working from home this week.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Josh huffs, and I swear I can hear the fucker laughing.

“I am working from home,” I repeat.

“Are you sick? Did you catch the bubonic plague? Need me to come examine you?”

“Maybe you should examine your chronic case of assholitis. It sounds like it’s flaring up again.”

He laughs into the phone. “I’m sorry, but you’re never not in the office. You live in the office when you don’t have Everly. Plus, don’t you have a big merger coming up?”

“Yes, and I am handling it, but I’m doing it from home. I hired a nanny for Everly, and she’s kind of different, so I wanted to take the week to make sure she’s…sane.”

“Jesus. Is she that bad?”

“She’s not bad. In fact, I think she might be good. She’s just…unique.”

“Is she a teenager?”

“No, she’s twenty-six years old.”

“Kind of old for a nanny, isn’t she?”

I shrug even though he can’t see me. “She seems mostly professional.”

“Mostly,” Josh huffs out a laugh. “Glowing review.”

“That’s why I’m working from home, asshole. I’m assessing.”

“Hey, I get it. I’m lucky we have daycare at the practice. Both Lynsey and I can pop in to see Julianna between patients. It’s the best. I can’t imagine not seeing my kid all day long. That would kill me.”