Hip Check (New York Blades) Read Online Free PDF Page B

pulled a neatly typed sheet of paper out of her big leather shoulder bag and pushed it across the table to him. It was a list of references.
    “Sorry I couldn’t get this to you sooner, but Theresa said you were crunched for time, and I didn’t get your e-mail address.”
    “No worries.” He cursorily skimmed the paper and handed it back to her. “Very impressive.”
    “That’s it?” Michelle looked slightly taken aback. “You’re done?”
    “You come highly recommended from Theresa Dante. That’s enough for me. I need you to start tomorrow afternoon. I’ll pay you whatever you want.”
    Michelle leaned forward as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. “What?”
    “I said I’ll pay you whatever you want. To take care of Nell. You’ll have your own room and bathroom. Locks on the door.”
    “Whoa, whoa, slow down a minute.”
    “Why?”
    “We’ve got to discuss terms first. It’s very important that we’re both clear on a number of things. And we need to see if Nell and I are a good fit.”
    Esa looked at her over the brim of his coffee cup as he took a sip. “Whatever terms you want. Also, I’m sure you and Nell will be a good fit. She’s a very nice little girl.”
    Michelle looked concerned. “We’re not talking about a puppy here. We’re talking about the care and welfare of a child.”
    Esa felt ashamed. “Yes, of course.” He drank down more coffee, hoping to wash away some of his impatience. “What is it you need to know?”
    “You’re supposed to be interviewing
me
, not the other way around.”
    “Right. Of course.”
Well, as you can see
,
you’ll be working for an idiot
. Esa aimed for a serious look. “I guess I’m wondering: why are you a nanny?”
    Michelle’s face lit up. “I love kids. Always have. I taught first grade for a while, but it didn’t give me the kind of one-on-one connections I wanted. Being a nanny lets me do that. It also pays better than teaching.”
    “Ah.” As surreptitiously as he could, Esa checked his watch. He thought this “interview” would take all of ten minutes. Obviously it was going to run longer.
    Michelle studied him. “You really have no idea what you’re doing, do you?”
    Esa hesitated. “Uh . . . no,” he confessed. “Here’s my problem: exhibition games begin in three weeks, and we’re already hard at practice. Yesterday I had to bring Nell with me. I need someone in place now. I just . . .” He felt bad. “. . . I just don’t have the time to spend with her.”
    Esa wondered what Michelle was thinking right now. Probably that he was a selfish, inept prick. Which happened to be the ugly truth.
    Michelle took a deep breath. “Here’s the deal,” she began, tenting her fingers on the table, which made her look very professional. “I get two days and nights off a week. My only job is taking care of Nell. That means I don’t clean or do
your
laundry. I will cook for Nell but not for you.”
    Esa raised an eyebrow.
    “You look surprised.”
    “I am.”
    “Why?” Michelle’s voice was polite, but firm. “You’re paying me to take care of your niece, not be your chef.”
    Esa felt a flick of irritation.
Bossy little woman
. She was going to be in his employ, not the other way around.
    “What—
exactly
—will your responsibilities be as Nell’s nanny?” Esa enquired.
    “Like I said, I’ll make her meals. I’ll get her ready for school in the morning, I’ll take her to school if that’s necessary, and I’ll pick her up after school. I’ll help her with her homework. I’ll pick up after her, though that’s something I hope she’s already doing on her own. I’ll take her to any extracurricular activities or playdates she might have. I’ll arrange for her to have playdates here. I’ll discipline her as I see fit. I’ll put her to bed at night. Basically, my promise to you is to keep her healthy and safe so that she can thrive.”
    Her eyes pinned his. Perhaps it was his own ignorance on the