Daddy’s Best Friend Secret by Lauren Wood

1

Quinn

Kayley tossed her dark hair over her shoulder. “If I wasn’t being offered a job at Maven Publishing then there’s no way that I would be quitting this,” she said, honestly. “It’s so high paying, I almost don’t want to leave. But as you know, I’ve always wanted to be a publisher, and life isn’t always about the money.”

I couldn’t stop the chuckle from leaving my lips. Kayley was my best friend, as beautiful as she was talkative. She had luscious auburn hair that she’d recently cut to shoulder length. Everyone had been so against it, but I’d known she’d rock it regardless. And then she had defined features that made me think she could have been a model in another life. Her eyes were an intense shade of grey that always seemed to reel people in, especially men, whom she could never get rid of.

And she never stopped talking. That was probably how our relationship worked so well. I didn’t talk enough, and she talked too much. But I wasn’t complaining. She definitely knew how to fill the silence in a room, which was usually needed when I was involved.

Besides, the words she was talking about now were very important. She used to work as a nanny, making a six-figure salary, and now, she was passing that job to me. I was more than eager to accept it, especially with all of the bills I had on my plate. It all seemed so surreal, like I was about to wake up from a dream.

“I know,” I responded. In the decade that I’d known her, she’d made it clear that she would, one day, own a publishing company of her own, and nothing was going to stop her from reaching that goal. Even if that meant turning down a six-figure salary and settling for five figures, she would chase her dream job.

“Getting you an interview wasn’t the easiest thing,” Kayley stated. “Mr. Ledger was very concerned given your lack of past job history.” She frowned. “Or any history, honestly.” I knew that Kayley was right, but I didn’t want to think too much into it. I was twenty-five years old and had only worked one job, at a fast-food place. I knew my resume wasn’t exactly promising.

“But you got me one?” I asked, my excitement rising. I knew it didn’t mean that I got the job, but I at least got the chance. And that was all I needed.

“I did, probably because I’m amazing and the bestest friend in the world.” Kayley loved to dote on herself, but I would give her this. “There’s only one kid, his daughter, Paige, and to say he loves her is an understatement. She’s something, I’ll tell you that. But her father, whooo,” Kayley fanned her face. “He’s a looker, absolutely gorgeous.”

She set her phone aside. “But don’t even think about him in any kind of sexual way.” She pointed at me and narrowed her eyes at me. “He will not condone any thoughts of an unprofessional relationship. You can trust me on that.” Kayley sighed. “Trust me, I would have tried. But the reason he doesn’t is because his wife died three years ago, and ever since then, he hasn’t even thought about another relationship that wasn’t strictly sexual.”

I frowned. “How do you know about that?”

She smirked. “I have my sources.”

I laughed. “Continue.”

“Anyways, you’ll have to resist the urge, okay? If I can do it, I know you can do it. You’re not nearly as boy crazy as I am.”

“Besides, he’s how much older than us?” I asked her, cocking my head to the side.

“Ten years.”

“I’ve never been into older men.”

“Trust me,” Kayley put a hand on my shoulder. “He’ll make you change your mind.”

“Regardless,” I stopped her. “The last thing I need in my life right now is a relationship.”

“Good. That’s the reason his last nanny before me got fired.”

“Then, I suppose I have nothing to worry about.”

“Except, maybe being late to your interview?” Kayley held her phone towards me. “You’ve got to be there in half an hour. I’d get going.”

I hadn’t realized how much time had passed by. I slipped my bag over my shoulders. “Thank you, Kayley. Wish me luck!” This was such an amazing opportunity, and the last thing I wanted was to be late to the interview and lose my chance. Having this job would solve so many problems. I was nervous, but I was ready.

“Call me afterwards!”

“I will.”

My fingers tapped against the steering wheel repeatedly as I drove, following the GPS. The drive wasn’t that far from the apartment that I shared with Kayley, but I still wanted to be prompt. From everything Kayley had told me, Ezra was not the type of man who accepted tardiness for any reason. And I needed this job too much to mess up before I even made it to the interview.

The building that I pulled into was breathtakingly beautiful, modern and slick. It was the definition of rich, and I didn’t have to see this man to understand how he could afford to pay his nanny such a huge salary. I understood. Who knew how much this man was making every hour, let alone every minute and second?

How could one man own all of this?

“Wow,” I whispered, as I got out of the car and smoothed down my clothes. Kayley had helped me pick out this outfit so I could be as professional as possible. I was wearing a dark grey pencil skirt and a soft, pink blouse. Was I too professional for a nanny? It was too late for that now, I supposed.

I calmed down my breathing as I walked into the building, immediately enchanted by how nice and neat everything was. There was a brunette behind the desk, and she stood up and offered me a polite smile.

“Hi,” she greeted me. “My name is Elliana Leslie, what can I do for you today?” Everything about her screamed professional. She was wearing similar clothes to me, yet she seemed to make them look so much better.

How was that even possible?

I cleared my throat. “I’m supposed to be meeting Mr. Ledger about the nanny position that he has available.”

Her smile never faltered. “Of course.” She pointed to the elevators. “Ride those to the nineteenth floor, and he’ll be at the end of the hall. He’s expecting you.”

Why did those words make me so nervous?

I followed her directions and let out a deep breath when the elevator doors opened. There wasn’t much on this floor, and I guessed that it was reserved just for his office. Talk about being rich. I knocked on the door and waited for his response.

“Come in.” His voice was low and sultry.

When I opened the door, I had to keep the shock from showing on my face. Kayley had warned me that he was attractive, but I hadn’t thought that it would be to this extent. He looked like he should be in movies rather than running an office. I wasn’t the kind of person to be swayed by a man’s looks, but he was a different story altogether.

His skin was fair, as if he’d never been tan a day in his life. His hair was a dusky brown and pushed back to stay out of his face. His muscles were obvious in his suit, and I wondered how often he worked out. Ezra’s eyes were almost a crystalline blue, and he was clearly a good bit taller than me.

“Ms. Sharpe,” he greeted me and gestured for me to take a seat.

I did. “Mr. Ledger,” I held my hand out to him, but after staring at it, he looked at his phone instead. I let my hand drop. He must not be huge on any form of physical contact. “I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity…”

He cut me off. “Let’s be frank here, Ms. Sharpe,” he started. “You’re only here because Ms. Granger recommended you. To speak candidly, you have no past experience relative to this job that would make you a good candidate, and you have no business here.”

My eyes widened. I hadn’t been expecting this. “Then, why am I here?”

Ezra studied me. “Because I simply don’t have the time to run through hundreds of interviews. You came highly praised and recommended. I hear you love children?”

“Immensely.”

“Then, that’s all that I require.” Ezra sat down in his chair. “You’re dismissed.”

I frowned. “And I’m hired.”

“Yes. I’m sure you met Elliana. She’ll be sending you the details to your email address.”

I nodded, trying to take in all of this information.

Ezra sighed. “I’m a busy man, Ms. Sharpe. Do you want the job or not?”

“Yes,” I answered quickly.

“Then leave.”

I quickly scurried out of his office and let out a sigh of relief when the door slid shut behind me.

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