“And screen time will be very limited. Doing nothing doesn’t mean bingeing Netflix.”
“I don’t even have Netflix,” Cassandra says with a shrug. “This sounds great. We’re going to have the best summer ever.” She holds her hand out to Everly, who slaps it with a high five. “You want to help me unpack, and then we can do the Fletchpad tour?”
“Fletchpad?” Everly giggles. “I just called it a house!”
Cozy touches her finger to her temple. “It’s more fun to use your imagination and come up with your own words, isn’t it?”
“Totally!” Everly agrees and turns to begin helping Cozy unpack.
I pause at the door, realizing I’ve never seen my kid get so excited to do a chore. “I’ll just…leave you two to it. Oh, and just so you’re aware, I’ll be working from home this week.”
“From the Fletchpad?” Everly asks excitedly, adopting that bizarre label for our home in the blink of an eye.
“Yes, my office is being renovated.” Total fucking lie. I just don’t trust this chick with my kid. Not yet. I need to see them in action for a bit. Make sure this nanny isn’t going to be a total disaster. Do I want to manage the extra work I have with this giant merger approaching from home? No. But Everly is my entire life, and I’m not taking any risks with her this summer. “I’ll be around to help you both get settled.”
“Sounds good…Mr. Fletcher.” Cassandra appears to be fighting back a smile, and my eyes narrow suspiciously.
I’m watching you…Cozy.
“Want to see me do a dive?” Everly calls out from the diving board of the giant Olympic-sized pool that no normal human would have chilling in their backyard. But of course, millionaire Max Fletcher does.
“Heck yeah!” I exclaim from my spot on the edge of the pool, where I’m kicking my feet in the water. “Let’s see it.”
Everly swan dives gracefully, making the tiniest of splashes. She pops up out of the water and grins gleefully at me before tucking her head down and swimming toward the other side of the pool.
Dang, this kid lives a privileged life. I can’t believe she’s not more of an asshole. I always imagined kids who lived like this would be bossy and entitled. I’m pleasantly surprised to admit I was wrong about my assumption. I know I’m still getting to know Everly, but I’m usually pretty good at reading people, and she seems sweet and cool and a great listener. Especially for an eleven-year-old who lives in a rustic mansion.
Mr. Fletcher gave me a tour of the Fletchpad last night, and my eyes were in a constant state of orgasm. First of all, this giant house is located just minutes from downtown, but it’s tucked away on this private cul-de-sac decked out with mature trees and a creek out back right by the tiny house I’ll be living in for the foreseeable future. The location couldn’t be more amazing.
While my cottage is white with a splash of adorable Southern charm, the main house has a rustic cedar wood siding. It’s quite striking as far as curb appeal goes. The inside maintains that rustic mountain feel with knotty wide-plank flooring and cool modern contrasts like bright white walls, exposed wooden beams in the vaulted ceiling, and unique bronze light fixtures. There’s even this ridiculous brick triple fireplace in the main living area next to a bank of sliders that overlooks the pool. Off the living room is a freaking library with a ladder.
A Library. With. A. Ladder.
Upon first glance, most of the books appeared to be boring business books, but I spotted some cozy mysteries in there that makes me think maybe Max Fletcher does know how to relax on occasion. The cutest part is that one giant section of shelves is dedicated to all of Everly’s books. It looks like Max has kept them from when she was little because the top shelves are these tiny cardboard baby books and as you progress downward, they mature in age to Judy Blume books, Babysitter’s Club books, and even Harry Potter books. It’s adorable that in this sexy, masculine library with a pool table in the middle and a wet bar on the side, he has an entire section dedicated to his kid with room to grow.
I may have swooned a bit.
The kitchen is on the opposite side of the living room, and it should come as no surprise that it’s a chef’s kitchen with glossy white backsplash tiles and a giant bronze hood over the oven. Cute barstools nestle against the white marble island and a matching bronze farm sink. Honestly, this whole house is so extra, and I’m obsessed with absolutely every bit of it.