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.”
I can’t help but smile at Josh’s words. He has changed so much from who he was just a few years ago. He used to be a cold, secretive, moody asshole with baggage he refused to unpack from his days as a pediatric oncologist on the East Coast. He moved back to Boulder, and I’d have to beg him to go out with me when he wasn’t working at the ER, and even then, he was barely present. Meeting Lynsey and becoming a father has really transformed him. It brought back the guy I grew up with. I’m really happy for him.
“This is the first time in years I’ve had this much quality time with Everly. I must admit, it’s pretty amazing,” I reply, standing up to look out the window. Everly and Cassandra are currently having a picnic breakfast on a blanket outside. They’ve rolled over one of the pool umbrellas for shade and have all of Everly’s old stuffed animals I thought she was done playing with surrounding them. The entire scene looks fucking heavenly.
When my eyes wander from my kid to Cassandra, I quickly clear my throat and look away. “Did you call for a reason or just to bust my balls about working from home?”