Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“Right away, sir.”
I waited until he stepped away.
“Do you want to talk about the certain point?” I asked.
“We’re definitely going to talk about it.” He took a slow sip of water. “How was your day?”
“It was great. I showed Olivia and the twins the design ideas for my bakery,” I said. “They agreed that the rustic look with a hint of elegance is the way to go. Of course, the girls prefer pink and William was partial to yellow and green.”
“How fascinating.” He picked up his shot the moment the waiter set it down. Then he requested another.
“I also took them to one of my favorite plant nurseries,” I said. “I still think the twins are a bit too young to enjoy it, but I’m looking forward to taking Olivia to see another one.”
“You’re not taking Olivia anywhere, ever again.”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t stutter.”
“What the hell is going on with you today?”
“I don’t want to see you ever again either.” He ignored my question. “And if I thought you were worth anything, I’d sue the fuck out of you.”
“Okay, whoa. I’m not sure what the hell is going on with you tonight, but—”
“When were you going to tell me that you weren’t a real nanny?” He glared at me.
His question slapped me in the face, catching me completely off guard.
“Do I need to repeat my question?” he asked. “Or are you sitting over there trying to concoct another fucking lie?”
“I’m…” I stammered. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?”
“I didn’t lie for any malicious purposes, I swear.”
“You honestly expect me to believe that?”
“It’s the truth.”
“I don’t think you know what the definition of that word is, Miss Hawthorne.” The look in his eyes was glacial. “Here you are, coming into my home—my goddamn children’s home, week after week, teaching them about morals, when you don’t have any of your own.”
“If you let me explain why—”
“There’s nothing to explain.” He looked hurt. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
“Why are you acting like it’s so terrible?” I asked. “So what I fibbed about being a nanny, but I’ve done a good job with William, Charlotte, and Olivia. They love me and I love them back. I love you, too.”
“I could never love a liar,” he said. “I don’t want to be around one either, so you’ll never set foot in my condo, The Barclays Center, or any property that I own for the rest of your life.”
“Pierce, please let me explain…”
“I mailed your last payment to your address before I came here,” he said, standing to his feet. “I meant what I said about never wanting to see or hear from you again.”
“You’re not going to let me at least say goodbye to Olivia and the twins?”
“I think you’ve done enough damage.” He hissed. “Find someone else to lie to.”
“You don’t mean that…”
“I spent two hours convincing the agency not to take you to court for fraud,” he said. “I mean every word I’m saying to you.”
“Can we talk about this on the way home?”
“You no longer live with me, Miss Hawthorne.” He uttered my name like venom. “Your belongings are in route to your apartment, and your number is blocked on all my staff and family devices.”
“You know,” I said, my voice cracking, “for someone who hates seeing people abandoned, you sure do a good job.”
“Don’t you dare conflate that issue with what you’ve done.”His face reddened. “I have people in my life who I’ve known for decades, Miss Hawthorne, and I’m just now learning to trust them. I’ll never make the mistake of trusting someone as early as I trusted you again.”
He tossed a few hundred dollar bills on the table before leaving me alone.
FORTY-FOUR
HARLOW
Itook an Uber to Pierce’s condo, desperate to make him listen to me.
It was just a sweet little lie. I didn’t hurt anyone...
Stepping out at the front entrance, I rushed toward the doorman.
“Good evening, Miss.” He smiled. “What brings you to Park Tower this evening?”
He must be new. “I’m here to see Pierce Dawson,” I said. “I know my way around inside.”
“Do you have a resident’s pass?”
“No…”
“Every current resident was given one this afternoon, because of the new building policy,” he said. “If you don’t have one, you’ll need the resident to call me. Then I’ll let you inside.”
“So, you’ve clearly just started your job today, but I’m Mr. Dawson’s nanny. I live here, too.”
“Do you have a nanny pass, then?” He crossed his arms. “Residents were given those, too.”
“Please listen to me. I swear—”
“Step back onto the sidewalk, Miss.” His voice was firm. “This area is for residents only.”
Holding a sigh, I walked out of his line of sight and rounded the building.
“Jerry?” I spotted him near a staff entrance. “Jerry, it’s me, Harlow.”
He didn’t look my way.
“Jerry, can you open that door behind you, please?”
“Ma’am, if you’re looking for someone who lives in this tower, you’ll need to go through the front door like everyone else.”