Page 54 of One Sweet Lie

Jerry

Step away from Miss Hawthorne’s bedroom door.

Are you stalking me?

I need to apologize to her.

At three a.m.?

She thinks I don’t want her.

Good. Step the fuck away.

Now.

~

Five-hundred sixty-seven diaper changes later

TWENTY-TWO

HARLOW

The twins hit a new milestone this week: crawling.

With a sense of purpose.

William loved leading the way to trouble, and Charlotte was thrilled to join him on ‘Adventure: Open Cabinets and Touch Everything and Adventure: Follow Nanny Around the Kitchen.’

Their infectious giggles made my heart swell, and I couldn’t deny liking them. Okay, Ilovedthem, even though they were Satan’s spawn.

“Good morning, William and Charlotte.” Mr. Dawson stooped low and pressed kisses against their cheeks. “Hope you both have a good day today.”

Babbling and smiling, they looked at him like he hung the stars in the sky.

I forgave them for not knowing any better.

He stood and looked at me. “Miss Hawthorne.”

“Mr. Dawson.”

I waited for him to turn around and complete the next step in our ‘boundaries’ routine. We spoke only when necessary, and even then, we kept it to two sentences or less.

Hurry up and leave so I can be alone with the children.

“Something has recently come to my attention via your coworkers,” he said. “Is now a good time to address it?”

“You’re an employer who believes he ownsall my time, Mr. Dawson, you tell me.” My new boundaries didn’t allow for pleasant conversation, only bare cordialness.

“You need to wear a shirt under your aprons, please,” he said, glancing at today’s pink ‘Sweet Nanny’ one. “No one else in this house is allowed to walk around with their bras or undergarments showing.”

“I prefer not to wear a shirt until after lunch, because it gets messy.”

“I wasn’t making a request, Miss Hawthorne.”

“Then why did it sound like one?”

“Allow me to state it again, then.” He clenched his jaw. “As oftoday, you will wear a shirt under your aprons, because your lack of modesty is bothering your coworkers.”