“You look a little young to have over a decade of childcare experience, Miss Hawthorne.”

“I’m twenty seven.”

“So, you’ve been watching children professionally since you were seventeen?”

“Well, I—I used to watch all my cousins, some neighbors’ kids, and I did get paid for that, and I—” I stuttered. “You see, when I went to the agency today, they told me…”

He arched a brow, waiting for me to string a coherent sentence.

“Because when they started asking me questions, she was like pediatric aid, and I said Paw Patrol, and then…” I stopped trying and let it remain undone.

“Let’s talk.” He opened the door to his condo, ushering for me to step inside.

My eyes widened as I took in the stunning view from his floor-to-ceiling windows. From here, he could see all of Central Park, and the buildings that dotted New York’s skyline looked like Legos.

“What made you apply for this position?” he asked.

“The position came to me, actually.” I bit my tongue to save myself from tossing another word salad. “But I’m very much interested, and if you give me a chance, I won’t disappoint you.”

“In that case, I need you to demonstrate how you change diapers.”

Diapers? “Your children are babies?”

“Over there.” He ignored my question, pointing to a table where two rubber baby dolls lay. He pulled a cloth diaper off the boy and handed it to me.

“Feel free to look at how I like this done on the girl doll, and then show me your best work.” He looked at his watch. “Preferably within the next minute and a half.”

Okay. I should just walk out now.

Ignoring my best judgment, I set down my cupcakes.

I picked up the girl doll and examined her diaper. It was folded and tucked like tortelloni, my favorite pasta.

“Hmmm.” I stretched the cloth and folded the right side, but as I grabbed the left, the rubber baby slipped through my fingers and fell to the floor.

Shit…

It bounced on its butt, and I lunged toward it, but the head snapped off and rolled on top of Mr. Nameless’ Italian leather shoes.

Oh my god!

Without looking up at him, I picked up the head and snapped it back onto the body. Then I carried it back to the table as if nothing happened.

Stretching the fabric again, I wrapped it around the doll’s waist and gently secured the ends with my tightest folds.

“Interesting.” Mr. Nameless picked it up. “Minus the instant decapitation and the fact that I’d sue you down to your last dime if you ever dropped my child, you did a good job with this diaper.”

“Okay…” I was embarrassed as hell. “Thank you.”

###

End of Snippet —– One click One Sweet Lie