“All the cable networks carried the deal with the Chinese this morning. And the yen was up four when their markets opened,” Quade says, closing a folder and sliding it across the boardroom table into Finn’s waiting hand.
“And they agreed to the three-year stipulations?” Finn asks him, glancing through the signed contracts.
“They did. We had to give them first rights at the solar project you’re working on, but Pierce built in a protection clause that gives you the right to refuse if you see fit.”
“I don’t imagine we’ll need it, but it’s nice to know it’s there. What’s the latest projection date on the solar panel that’s in production now?” Finn says, sliding the file to me.
“Next prototype is due any day now,” I answer as I review and initial each page, and sign the last.
“As we expected, IT stopped another hacking attempt this morning,” Finn says.
“Well, you guys were expecting that, right?” Quade asks. “I’m telling you, you need to bring Elise Donovan into the circle. I’ve used her services before. She can be trusted, and she can get things done. Plus, the chap she has working for her has a way of ‘cracking the nuts’ so to speak.”
“Hear that, Finn?” I smirk at my brother who promptly gives me the finger.
“What? Hold up. What’s the story, Junior?” Quade teases. My brother winces at the nickname he has hated since these guys became my pack.
“Junior likes a boy,” I tell Quade, who claps his hands, flutters his eyelids, and says in a high-pitched voice, “Do tell.”
“The boy is in love with Elise’s guy.”
“Blake Thomas is gay?” Quade says sitting up, shocked into his regular voice.
“Did Walt tell you he hired Sam to be his nanny?” Finn fires back.
“No shit? Finally. You’re getting your footing with this guardian thing. You’re starting to make smart decisions.” Quade looks genuinely pleased with this turn of events. Stand in line man. There’s a long list of people who know I’m fucking up.
“It’s on a trial basis,” I mumble, looking through the messages Maria handed me this morning and pretending to read them. There isn’t anything the guys wouldn’t do for me, but they are as at a loss as I am. And even though no one has said as much, I get the feeling they are trying not to crowd me, hoping that if I have some space to sort through things, I’ll finally get us moving in the right direction.
“Well, it’s a good move,” Quade says, standing and buttoning his suit coat. “Plus, that girl can ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ me any day.”
“Quade,” Finn barks.
“What? I’m serious. I’ve had a thing for Mary Poppins since you hired her as your assistant. We have an understanding. She’s playing hard to get, but really she wants me.”
“Stop asking her out,” Finn demands, making it clear that he’s not messing around.
“Simmer, Junior. I’m always a gentleman,” he says, tussling Finn’s hair.
“Walt,” Finn snarls, fingers combing his locks back into place.
I exhale a deep breath. Finn knows that when I have to choose between my brother and my guys, he always wins. He sometimes likes to take advantage of that fact.
“Quade, leave Samantha alone. There’s too much at stake now that the girls are involved.” It’s a low blow, but one I know Quade understands. He’s as invested in these girls as I am. All of us are. He would never do anything to fuck this up.
“Like I said, it’s a good move. I’m proud of you.” Quade leans over to hug me in my chair. He’s always been the hugger of the group. Him and Everett. Zinnie’s words come hurling back. That I started the day with a hug. Everett was a hugger.
My phone beeps, pulling me from my thoughts.
Finn’s PA: I took Poppy to the MD. She had to get a shot and has to take an antibiotic for a week. Should be back to normal in a couple of days. No fever so far today.
She’s attached a picture of Poppy napping. Her curls are splattered to and fro on her pillow. Her arms are tightly wrapped around Edward, her blue elephant.
“Pops is better?” Finn asks reading over my shoulder.
“You too, with the Pops?”
He shrugs. “When Sam came to get something to wear last night, she said that Poppy told her Jenny and Everett called her Pops and that she misses it.”
“Sam changed at your place last night?” We suddenly have Quade’s full attention. “Did you see anything?” He waggles his brows and I swear I see a droplet of drool on his chin.
“I saw everything,” Finn goads, slapping his hand down on Quade’s shoulder.
“You’re shitting me, aren’t you? Are you serious?”
The look of sheer anticipation and jealousy on Quade’s face volleyed against the look of utter detachment on Finn’s is enough to make me laugh. For the first time in a long time, sadly.
“And for God’s sake, her name is ‘Samantha’ or ‘Sam’. Don’t list her as ‘Finn’s PA’ in your phone, knob head,” Finn shouts out before the door closes behind him and Quade, leaving me with a much-treasured moment of peace. I take in the picture of Poppy. Even in her sleep Poppy looks content.
Me: Thank you for taking her. Let me know if she needs anything.
Sam: Happy to. She ate lunch and kept it down. She’s been sleeping most of the day, so I really think she’s on the mend.
My thumbs float above the keyboard. I’m tempted to reply but decide I’m better off not engaging Samantha. We are not friends who text. I am not Finn. I am her boss.
The next two days fly by without incident and already there is evidence of an established routine. A routine that has fallen into place with shocking ease. Now if I can get my business life to follow suit, I can maybe catch a breather.
Every corner I turn there’s another crisis to be managed. Thankfully the China Organization parted amicably, and we have a bit of down time in between projects. I really want to nail down this solar project.
“Mr. Nelson.” Maria’s voice crackles from the speaker phone. “You need to leave now if you are going to make it to your lunch meeting on time.”
I glance at my watch and finish the email I am sending to Brad about the hacking attempts. I’m concerned our luck is soon to run out, and I’m not convinced we have enough safety traps in place.
The lunch meeting is at a restaurant around the corner from our offices. Being that, at our core, we are a financial company, some thought it made more sense to locate our building in the Financial District, but Finn and I both wanted the convenience of having our living spaces above our offices. In London, we both commute to work. At the time we were only here a couple months of the year at best and we enjoyed the idea of home being only a few floors away. Given this was going to also be our residences, we decided to build in the Grammercy District, specifically near Bryant Park. A hindsight decision I am especially grateful for now that I have the girls. This area lends itself to a family setting more than the Financial District.
“Thank you, Maria.” I nod to my assistant who is holding the lift for me. Before the doors close, she hands me a couple of phone messages and reminds me the meeting is at Phillipe’s. The lift opens a few floors down and Finn and his new PA enter.
“Walt, I don’t believe I’ve introduced you to Josh. My new assistant.”
“Nice to meet you,” I respond without looking up from my messages.
“Walt.”
Inwardly, I roll my eyes and look up.
“Sorry, chap,” I say with a bit of sarcasm, but still offering my hand. “Nice to meet you.” He’s nice looking. Young. Looks eager to please. I’m sure my brother has already beat the bishop to the thought of Josh’s rather large lips.
He pushes his black frames onto the bridge of his nose before tripping over his greeting, obviously nervous. Thankfully the doors open, putting me out of my misery. Josh scurries in an opposite direction and I use the opportunity to chastise my brother.
“You hired him because he’s pretty, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t hire him, Sam did.”
“You know you can’t fuck the help. No matter how big his lips are.”
“I swear mum left you in the sun too long when you were a tyke. You are so crude.”
“I’m just reminding you nothing good comes from it. Hierarchy serves a purpose.”
“Crude and a prude. We’re not aristocracy for Christ’s sake. And his lips are rather plump, aren’t they?”
“I mean employer/employee hierarchy arsehole. What are you doing?” I ask over my shoulder entering the restaurant.
“Having lunch.”
“I’m meeting someone.” I pull out my phone. To be honest, I didn’t even look to see whom I was meeting with. I just went where Maria directed. If I needed to have prepped before coming she would have given me the necessary information.
“I know. I’m expected at the same meeting. Nelson,” my brother tells the maître d’ who informs us our guest is already seated.
“Samantha?” I look around to make sure we are at the correct table.
“You look lovely.” Finn plants a kiss on her cheek and takes his seat.
“You’re my lunch meeting?” I ask with incredulity, even though I don’t know why.
“Yes. Didn’t Maria tell you?” She seems confused by my displeasure.
“She did not. The morning got away from me and I hadn’t looked at my meeting schedule today. Why are you here?” I ask my brother as I finally take my seat.
“Sam scheduled it with Josh.” He shrugs and opens his menu, perusing the lunch section.
The waiter brings a glass of scotch to the table and sets it in front of Sam.
“Thank you but I didn’t order this.”
“From the gentleman at the bar,” he informs her.
Finn’s head shoots up to see who he is and frowns. “How does he know we aren’t together?”
“Maybe because I was sitting here for ten minutes before you came in. He probably thought I was lunching alone.” She turns and gives a polite smile to the man, and when she turns back around Finn has emptied the glass.
“There’s a side to you that most would find surprising,” she chides.
“But not you,” Finn winks, going back to his menu, but Sam isn’t done with him yet.
“You act like you’re my brother.”
“You are like a sister to me and you could use a brother, so it works out for both of us.”
It’s fleeting, but there’s something akin to a flash of pain in Samantha’s eyes. It’s gone as quickly as it came.
“Do I really need to be here for this?” I grumble.
The waiter again interrupts us. We place our selections and Sam squares her shoulders. She switches to corporate mode. I see it in my mates when we’re doing business. I just never expected Sam to have the same quality.
“I scheduled this meeting because I wanted to talk to both of you about the girls and I felt like doing it together was best. A lunch meeting seemed like the optimum time.”
“You chose a public place, so you must have concerns we aren’t going to receive this well,” I say.
“I have no ulterior motives, if that is what you are asking. I wanted to eat and knew you needed to also.”
“So, let’s eat.”
“I also want to discuss my position.”
“I told you the other night that I don’t like to make amendments to closed deals.”
“Walt, let her finish.”
“I don’t wish to amend our decisions from the other night, but, naturally, raising two girls is going to be an organic experience. A one-size-fits-all deal is not going to work here. We are going to find ourselves constantly evolving our approach.”
“Our?” I say with more provocation than intended, which she insightfully ignores.
“I want to take the girls out of summer school,” she blurts, then waits.
I look at the table wishing Finn hadn’t finished off the scotch, picking up a water instead. I take a long steady drink to calm my rising agitation before responding.
“You want to take the girls out of a school I had to use every connection I could to get them into? A school that provides consistency and discipline, something I’m sure even you can agree they need.”
“Even I can agree they need those things, but it is not the school’s place to provide consistency or discipline for that matter. It’s yours.”
My blood pressure hits an all-time high. Who does this bint think she is, telling me what the girls need? She’s been with them all of forty-eight hours. She either is unaware of the detonation about to happen or she doesn’t care, because she continues as if I’m not on the verge of imploding.
“And it’s mine and it’s Finn’s. We all have a role to play here. I need the girls home over the summer if I’m going to help. Plus, they need some down time. They’ve been through an incredible amount of change. They need time to adapt. I think being at home for a few weeks will encourage that.”
The slow as fuck waiter finally brings our drinks and I tap into every part of my control to slowly twirl the amber liquid in my glass before taking a sip. That I didn’t throw mine and Finn’s back and demand he bring the bottle is a clear testament to my business prowess.
But this girl. There’s something about her. She’s learned more from Finn than I have given her credit for. She’s not the stupid girl I painted her as earlier. She’s in a restaurant where the glass of scotch some tallywhacker sent her is more than she makes in a week. She’s across from two formidable business men who rule the financial world, and she is not intimidated in the least. More than that, she fully expects to win. I see it in her expression. She seems to be approaching this as a hostile merger and doesn’t appear to be the slightest bit out of her comfort zone.
“Finn, you aren’t doing enough. You really need to start stepping up.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. These girls are your nieces now and you’re still behaving as if they are Everett’s children.”
“They are Everett’s children,” I caution her.
“Not anymore,” she says gently. “He is and always will be their father, but they are now your responsibility. But they need an uncle, too. Someone who lets them have dessert for dinner. Someone they can make fun of Walt with.” She holds up her hand to stop my protest. “They need to know there is one constant in their life right now and that needs to be Finn.”
“I really think it should be Walt. He’s the one Everett chose,” Finn says softly.
“He is. But Walt is not in the position to be that person. Not yet. He has to be the guardian. Don’t you see? Walt is the one that had to handle everything. He’s had to move them to the city. Pull them from the only school they knew. Everything about him right now is the exact opposite of constancy. He represents all the upheaval.”
“Despite what you might think, I’m not a monster. I talked to the girls before I made those decisions. I wouldn’t have pulled them from the only life they knew without having a conversation with them.”
“You think I don’t know that? The girls know it too, but they can’t allow themselves to be angry at their parents, so for a while it’s going to be you. It’s not fair and I know it’s hard, but that’s the reality.”
“I’m perfectly capable of handling it.” I run my fingers down my tie in a move to calm my nerves.
“Capable and not affected by are two different things. I know it hurts when the girls act out. You gain nothing by pretending it doesn’t. We all want what’s best for them and we can’t accomplish that if we aren’t honest about where we are starting from.” For a moment I think she is going to reach out and touch me, but my countenance must have alerted her that would be a mistake.
“Finn, these are your brother’s children now. You’re still behaving as if they’re some friend’s kids you see on special occasions.”
She’s right. I haven’t processed it until now, but she’s right. If I had kids, Finn would be loving them from every angle available to him, and he wouldn’t allow anything or anyone to stand in his way. At best, he’s kept the girls at arm’s length.
“Jesus Christ. You’re right.” Finn solemnly sits back. “I’ve been so focused on running the business, so you could handle what you need to do, that I haven’t even tried to form a relationship with the girls.” When he looks at me, his eyes hold regret.
“There is no manual on how to handle this, but being with you all for these two days has confirmed what I’ve suspected for a while now. You and the guys are trying to care for Walt, but the best way to do that is to care for the girls. Walt can care for Walt. What he needs is help with Zinnie and Poppy.”
Fuck. Me. I’m dumbfounded. And pissed. And frustrated. Because Mary Poppins is right. For the first time since the accident, I feel like I have my bearings. Yes. If Finn and Samantha can help with the girls, I can handle the estate side.
“Done. Handled,” Finn says with finality. He’s made up his mind. He understands.
“Now. The girls and summer session,” Samantha says, plowing forward like she’s just checked something off a list.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I say, but with more diplomacy this time. “If they need consistency, how is pulling them from school going to provide that?”
“They can have a routine without having to give up their summer. They want to be at the park with friends, not stuck in a summer school program.”
“How do you propose to occupy their time?”
“I’ve changed my second summer classes to online classes. I can be with the girls during the day and study at night.”
“What do you have to lose?” Finn asks me.
“Their spots at their school, that’s what. What if she leaves like the other nannies? What will I do then?”
“I won’t.”
“And you have a way to guarantee me that?”
“I’m giving you my word. I am not going to leave these girls.”
I want to believe her. I really do.
“Take the chance. If Sam buggers off—she won’t, but if she does—I’ll take holiday for the remainder weeks until school starts and keep the girls myself.”
Our food is delivered, and we eat in silence while I digest the proposal on the table.
“Why?” I ask.
“I told you why.”
“I mean why are you doing this? It’s easier for you if the girls are in school. What’s in this for you? You know the girls can’t access their accounts until they are twenty-five.” I know it’s a shitty thing to say before it even leaves my lips.
“I’m going to pretend that’s the stress talking and not something you meant to say.”
“That’s a dick move, and you know it,” Finn growls.
“Fine. Remove the dick remark at the end. It’s still a valid question.”
“I understand these girls and they need someone to stay. I want to help them.”
“Out of the goodness of your heart,” I say snidely and immediately regret it. The pain in her eyes would bring any man to his knees. I turn away because the only option is to see it and for some reason I chose to try and ignore, I can’t.
“Alright. You can take the girls out of school,” I relent, but I’m not sure if it’s because I agree with her proposal or because I feel the need to atone my ill-spoken words. Neither reason sits well.
“Perfect. Just a couple more things.”
I drop my silverware loudly onto my plate, staring at her with unbridled exasperation. “More amendments?”
“Let’s call them agreements.”
This girl.
“Fine.” I go back to cutting my steak. “Let’s get it all out now. I mean it when I say I don’t like amendments.”
She ignores my insolence. “I’d like to redo the girls’ bedrooms.”
“What’s wrong with them?”
“Nothing, if they are a 35-year-old Englishman.”
“I asked the girls if they wanted to bring their bedroom suits from their house. They didn’t want to.”
“Which I think is okay, but they need a space they can each claim as their own. A space that reflects them. I think it will help them feel like this is their home. It’s also a summer project. Something for them to do.”
“Fine. But you will use a designer and you will have a budget. I don’t expect my home to look like it came from a box store.”
“You are so…”
“Careful…”
“…out of touch. I agree to your terms, but I choose the designer.”
“With my final approval. Next.”
“I would like you to schedule a vacation with the girls before they start school.”
“No. I don’t have the time.”
“Make it.”
“I have Everett’s items to close out. We are in the middle of being hacked every time the market opens. I don’t have the time to take a holiday before school starts.” She can’t have everything on her list. I’ve conceded more than I should have. She already has the upper hand because even though she doesn’t say it, she knows I haven’t a clue as to what I am doing. But once again, her ability to take the lead gives me the breath I’ve not been able to catch since the accident.
“Fine. No vacation,” she mumbles, but she doesn’t seem convinced.
“Speaking of budgets.” I pull an envelope out of my inside suit pocket. “I was going to give this to you tonight. This is a credit card in your name for you to use for anything the girls need. You will also be given an envelope with cash in it at the beginning of each week. You will use this money to handle school functions, field trips, lunch money, etcetera. Please make an attempt to budget appropriately. If you need more, you are to let me know. You will be meeting with John tomorrow. He will make sure you are up to speed on the girls’ security.”
“Why are you smiling?” I ask Finn, who has been quietly watching our conversation.
“I’d rather think it was obvious, my brother and my girl getting along.”
“I hate to tell you brother, Samantha’s not your girl anymore. She works for me now. She’s mine.” I point out to get a rise out of him. When he looks to Sam for support, she simply shrugs her shoulders with a “he speaks the truth” expression on her lovely face.
Finn turns his shocked look from her to me then to his food, where he mumbles something unintelligible. Samantha smiles and winks at me, equally amused with our ability to tease my brother.
I like it. More than I should.
Samantha and Finn talk about what classes she is taking. Apparently, she was enrolled at NYU several years ago, so it was a natural selection when she decided she wanted to finish her courses.
“When is Camilla back from holiday?” Finn asks. He keeps the disdain for my fiancé out of his voice. Just barely.
“She’s back tomorrow, after the last show in Paris.”
“How much did this trip cost you?”
“None of your concern, and I would ask you not to use that tone.”
“Fine,” he mumbles.
“That reminds me, Samantha. I’ll need you to take a different night off this week. Camilla will be back, and I would like to take her to dinner on Thursday.”
“That’s lovely. But no.”
“I’m sorry?”
“No. I’m not changing my night off.”
“May I have a coffee to enjoy the show with please?” Finn asks the waiter as he passes by.
“So, you can’t change your night off?”
“I can’t because I won’t.”
“Samantha, let me explain some—”
“Walt. You said yourself, no amendments. Thursday is my night off. I wanted Fridays, but you said, no, it had to be Thursdays.”
I take a deep breath and try to calm the beast inside.
“Samantha, would you please change your night off with me this week? I promise not to make it a habit.”
“Thank you for asking,” she replies with a genuine smile. I do realize now that I didn’t ask at first, and the decent thing would have been to give her the choice.
“Thank you for accommodating.”
“Oh, I’m not. I’m just thanking you for asking. Take the girls with you.”
“Pardon me?”
“Take the girls with you to dinner. Camilla’s been gone a few weeks. I’m sure the girls will be excited to see her.”
“That would be a no,” Finn mumbles behind his coffee cup.
“Finn, shut it.” But it’s too late.
“Camilla and the girls need to spend time together,” Samantha frowns.
“Enough!” I say louder than necessary based on the heads that turn and the protective stance Finn dawns in an instant.
“Enough. Forty-eight hours with these girls doesn’t make you an expert.”
“I know more than you realize.”
“Jesus. What is it with you? You’re a nanny for fuck’s sake. And an annoying one at that. Be a nanny. Christ, I didn’t hire you to rearrange our lives. You know nothing about how we make it day to day.”
“I do. And like it or not, I have come to know you while I worked with your brother. Which is how I know that you are trying to divert me into an argument by referring to me as ‘just a nanny’. Only a fool would look around your life and think this is all fine. And you’re no one’s fool.”
“Finn, I’ll see you back at the office.” I stand to leave.
“You need to be the one to tell the girls tonight they don’t have to finish summer school.” Fuck me, she never quits.
“You can tell them,” I answer, dropping cash on the table.
“No. This is good news; it needs to come from you.”