Chapter Twenty-seven

“Who doesn’t have a phone in the 21st century?” Bram was looking at her like she had three heads.

She looked away, blushing. “I-I just didn’t have the means to support it. It’s not that I don’t want one… I just can’t afford it. Seems like a silly thing to waste my father’s hard-earned savings on when I need to make sure I’m fed, clothed, and have a roof over my head.” She felt like an idiot though. Of course he would require her to have a phone. Why would he want a nanny he couldn’t get a hold of? “Look, I get it if it’s a deal breaker for you, but I’m guessing I’ll get a check in a week or two, right? Devon has his own phone, if you need us in the meantime, I’ll make sure that we keep it charged and that he answers.”

“No. It’s fine. We’ll just stop on our way home and get you whatever you need. I’ll just add a line to my cell and if you ever want a non-work number you can go get one.” He looked away, adding notes to his phone.

“You don’t need to—”

“It’s fine. I know I don’t. But right now, Devon adores you, and you seem to be straight forward with me. Which I appreciate. So, let’s not squabble over what I’m willing and can do, and just say thank you.” He finished the last of the bacon on his plate and stood up, bringing it to the sink. “And let me say so too. Thank you.” He placed a hand on her shoulder for a moment before walking away.

“For what?” She turned, watching him as he placed the plate in the sink and refilled his coffee cup.

“Breakfast. It was nice to have a quiet morning.” He smiled. She blushed more ferociously this time, smiling down at her plate.

“Devon insisted that you hate waking up late. So, I am sorry if it was too much.” She was basically pounding her food into a pulp on the plate.

“It wasn’t. I’m pretty sure I needed the rest.” His eyes leveled on her, and her heart started to pound again. She felt so vulnerable around him. “So, thank you. I haven’t had a morning like this in a long time.” Izabella liked the way the corners of his eyes wrinkled when he gave a genuine smile.

“I should also ask, do you have a preference on what I wear while on the job? I have a limited wardrobe right now and when I’m ready—”

“Wear whatever you want. If you don’t look like a slut, I approve.” The statement took her so off guard, she didn’t know how to respond. What kind of women did he employ before this?

“Okay. There aren’t any requirements?” She looked nervous.

“I make my managers dress in formal, I make my employees look presentable. The nannies threw me for a loop because I didn’t know what I was doing. Can I trust you to decide what one should wear when taking care of a child? I own one set of jeans and a few t-shirts. Otherwise, I’m in tailored suits. It’s been a year, but it’s been a long one.” As his eyes settled on Devon, and he truly smiled, that’s what won her over. “It’s been a good one though. I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”

“You can retire, can’t you. You would never need to worry about money again.” She asked seriously.

“No. Sitting around isn’t something I can do.” He wouldn’t look at her again. She didn’t want to push too far.

“Well, I get that. But you don’t need to work. Be busy with him. Save yourself whatever money you’re spending on a nanny, and just start taking care of him. If you can run several businesses, you can raise your son.” Her eyes searched his face from over the top of her coffee cup. Talking frankly like this seemed to have him putting up walls. At least, he was doing it slowly. She wondered if he might not actually be taking some down. He seemed to be honest with her, and they seem like conversations that he may not have had before.

He frowned at her. “I can’t. I can’t do it alone. I’ve tried, and I’m not good at it. I want to figure it out though. That’s why you’re here. Your cry didn’t go on def ears. Tyler wouldn’t have brought you here without a reason.”

Izabella’s heart felt like it could explode. Her cry? Did he know what she did when the organization for orphans threw her out?

“Well, maybe we can stop by the children’s home on our way back? I can get a feel for how Darla would feel about having an outing with the kids to come back to a little party.”

“We’ll do some quick shopping before we head home too.” He clicked a button on his phone, and a voice came from the other side.

“Boss.”

“Prep the car. I want to be ready to go in a few minutes. Come grab the bag we’re putting by the door too.”

“It’s a small bag, I’ll carry it down with us. Tell him to just worry about the car.” Izabella giggled, getting up to put her dish in the sink. She sprayed water over them to let them soak for a bit. Then started around the house, collecting clothing and anything else they might have ended up with. As she lifted Devon’s phone she pouted, “I forgot to charge your phone, buddy. I guess at least your dad is coming with us so no one’s likely to call.” She tossed it into her purse. There were actually a couple bags by the time she was done with hers and Devon’s purchases from the day before.

“Hm, I’m going to owe Tyler a pretty penny.” She moved things around in the bag, looking it all over.

“He won’t care. It’s fine.” He smiled at her, “Money is not a rarity around here. You’re not going to break the bank, I promise. We’ll start at the electronics store, get you a phone and computer. Would you prefer a laptop or desktop?”

“Um, I… don’t know. I’ve never used a laptop. I only ever used dad’s really old and slow desktop. Remember those old box looking things?”

“God, please tell me that’s not true. You’ve never used a real computer?” He looked horrified.

“That’s right. I might need you to teach me some things.” She waved her hand, pressing the button for the elevator now that they were all ready.

“Oh, I’ll be happy to teach you some things.” The smirk he gave her gave her goose-bumps, but she didn’t think he was talking about computers anymore.