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to the Knight residence. It’s like being around her has heightened this maternal instinct in me, making me wish to shield her from any conceivable pain or ugliness, yet in the few weeks that I’ve been working at the house, I have seen so little that could constitute as experiencing pain or ugly.
    “Hey, Lauren!”
    I turn toward the kitchen as I manage to get my key free from the lock, and see Kashton along with a woman and another guy, leaning against the kitchen counters. “Hey,” I call back. My voice is soft and comes out cracked, causing my cheeks to heat. I pocket my key and head over to where the three of them are facing me.
    Kashton smiles in greeting and lifts a hand to the man on his right. He’s tall, a few inches taller than me at least, with hair as dark as midnight and two rings that curl around his lower lip, and another in his eyebrow. He’s wearing a light gray beanie that brings out the darker shades in his blue eyes, making them resemble the storm clouds outside. “Lauren, this is Parker.” His elbow twists and his hand rotates to the woman on his left. Her hair is long and auburn with unnatural shades of red and purple peeking through. Not surprisingly, she’s smaller than I am, looking petite and beautiful in a pair of designer jeans and a hoodie. It reminds me of French design, almost messy, yet sophisticated and feminine. Her entire face is set with indecision as her clear green eyes scan over me. “This is Summer. Guys, this is Lauren.”
    “The kidlet was right. You are pretty hot.” Parker’s compliment—if you can call it that—only makes me feel more uncomfortable.
    Summer takes a few steps closer to me, extending her hand. I take it and swallow my unease. I loathe standing beside small women. I feel like it only accentuates how large I am. Drawing visual comparisons to how much longer my legs are, how much bigger my hands are.
    “But jeez, you’re tall,” Parker comments, confirming my very thoughts.
    “Don’t be a dick.” Kashton looks at me, his lips turned down as though he’s embarrassed as well.
    “It’s nice to meet you guys. Do you know where Mercedes is?” I ask in an attempt to skirt the discomfort.
    “Yeah, I think she’s in her room, but do you mind if we chat real quick?” My eyes stretch and my pulse quickens as I look to Kashton, and it isn’t because my boss resembles a male supermodel.
    I’m going to get fired.
    Sweat quickly coats my palms, making me feel even more uneasy and self-conscious.
    “You guys mind meeting me out in the shop? I’ll be out there in a few,” Kashton says, turning to acknowledge both Summer and Parker.
    “Yeah, take your time. It was nice meeting you, Lauren,” Parker says, pushing off from the counter.
    “Nice meeting you too.” Weaving my fingers together in front of me, I try to meet their eyes as they pass, and then hastily wipe them across my thighs as the front door shuts.
    “I just want to touch base and see how things are going. Kenzie assured me that you’re responsible and great with kids, so I know Mercedes is in good hands. I’m just used to hearing a few things by this point.”
    I try to hide my surprise by forcing a smile. I don’t know what has me more off kilter, the fact that I don’t think he’s trying to fire me, or that Kenzie said nice things about me. “That’s okay. I totally understand that you’re busy, hence my being here.” I scratch my eyebrow, wondering what kinds of things previous nannies have shared. “Things are well, though. We’re … working on getting acquainted.”
    Kashton presses his lips together and edges them up ever so slightly as if he’s trying to smile but can’t. That twinge of unease in my belly seems to burn brighter. “I hope this doesn’t make me sound like an asshole, but whatever you see or hear in this house, or outside in the shop, is confidential. It doesn’t leave.”
    My eyebrows draw downward, knitting with confusion as my mind races,