Sterling #6
“Some, but you seem cool. But let’s get started with the tour.”
He showed me around his house and admitted that he hadn’t lived here long himself.
The house wasn’t one of the most impressive size-wise that I’d seen.
I could tell by his personality that Aldrich was probably a flashy person.
I mean his nickname was Money so I wouldn’t be surprised if he were.
The house was plain now but it had great bones.
Anyone who would purchase a seven-thousand square foot bachelor pad was someone who didn’t care about what other people thought about him.
As it stood his kitchen was pristine and looked as though it had been newly remodeled.
It had a primary show kitchen done in a modern Tudor style and the secondary kitchen was in the scullery where the actual mess happened.
The rooms were actually rooms and not the mass of open-concept plans that everyone seemed to swear by in the last thirty years.
It was one reason I loved my cottage. It was small but I could shut off rooms with actual doors, transforming the space.
Open-concept homes made me feel like I was back living in a studio apartment I’d had while in college just to spite my mother.
“What type of style is this?” The exterior had an almost Tudor feel like the kitchen with the stonework, but I knew that wasn’t what this was called. There were French elements too with the ironwork but the large roof made the house look deceptively small from the outside.
“They call it Dallas eclectic according to the realtor. It’s supposed to be a play off the French eclectic style.
I appreciated it because the lot was big and the neighbors weren’t right up on me.
I also like that so much was located on the first floor and the house kind of wraps around on itself.
” He nodded to a courtyard that was to the left of the front door.
It was off the kitchen and looked like a great spot to enjoy coffee.
The house had actual wings to it even though it wasn’t necessarily a mansion by most standards.
“It’s unique. Like a mix of ranch but also colonial.”
“So you approve?”
I knew he was teasing but I also didn’t want him to think I was judging him against any of the other houses I’d been in while nannying. “I mean you’ve got good taste but it isn’t anything that I have to agree with. This is your home.”
“If you say so. All the bedrooms I figured we would use are off of this wing but the master splits off from this point. You can pick whichever guest bedroom you think is the most appropriate.” He pointed to another of the Y-shaped hallways.
There were two rooms to one side and the primary suite was on the other.
Both of the hallways ended in the backyard so there wouldn’t be any street noise to contend with.
“And which one is the baby’s room?”
“I haven’t chosen it yet. I figured you would.” He spoke so indifferently I again wanted to ask questions but I knew it wasn’t any of my business so I shouldn’t.
Instead of being nosy I just nodded, taking in again how empty the entire house felt. Kinda like its owner. “I can do that. I’m going to assume that certain items need to be purchased for the baby.”
“Yeah there’s nothing here.”
“Um, is it a boy or a girl?” I’d thought I’d heard them say she and her, but I needed confirmation.
“Girl.”
Again, no attachment and very little emotion.
“Would you like to go with me—”
“No, I’m not sure how you would like to work this out. I can give you the cash or get you a card attached to an account.”
“I’m used to submitting an expense report for whatever I need to have covered—”
“You mean you lay out the money and I pay you back? Hell nah. What kind of bullshit is that to have you without your bread for you doing your job? Never mind, I’ll get the bank to send you over a card today.
” He looked thoroughly disgusted at the thought of me spending money and waiting to be reimbursed, which was kinda nice.
Unnecessary but I was glad that even if he didn’t seem emotionally attached he didn’t have any issue with spending what was necessary for his daughter.
Even so, I’d grown up that way and knew the effects.
“Mr. Dinero—”
His arms folded across his chest in a way that I guess he thought was supposed to be stern but just made him look endearing. “Sterling, I thought we went over this?”
“Sorry, Aldrich—”
He shook his head as his arms fell to the side. “That still don’t even sound right.”
“It’s the best I have. I wouldn’t be using my money; I would use a charge card.”
“And have you carrying a balance and getting interest?”
“Charge cards mean you have to pay them off at the end of the month. Credit cards have you paying minimums and things. I would only use a charge card to not incur any fees.”
“If you use something like that it’ll be attached to my name. Unless you have one where you wanna earn points or something. I have no problem with that if that’s why you’re pushing back so hard.”
I didn’t want to be rude because I could see his heart was in the right place.
It was one way that working for people who were technically my equal or even less affluent than I was sometimes became a problem.
They thought they could take advantage because they thought you didn’t have as much as they did.
Or that you would accept whatever bullshit they threw at you because you needed the position.
Dalton did his best to keep folks like that out of his agency but people would switch up in a heartbeat.
But this with Aldrich felt different. He seemed genuinely concerned that I would be out of pocket because of him.
“No, I don’t need to earn any points but it’s part of my employment agreement to be reimbursed for expenses.”
“I’m sure you’ve never had to furnish an entire baby’s room and wardrobe so it’s not in your job description to lay out that kind of bread.”
He still seemed worried judging by the way his brows dipped in frustration. “With a newborn, you don’t really need much. A variety of bottles, formula if you don’t have donor milk—”
“Donor milk? What is that?”
“Sometimes women will sell or donate their breast milk to infants. Especially those who have been in the NICU.”
“No offenses but I wouldn’t want her to take titty milk from her crazy ass mama if she could, let alone some complete stranger. We can stick with the shit in a can for now.”
The questions were floating around in my head yet again but I just gave him a nod before I agreed. “Noted.” The silence was awkward again and I had to say something to lessen it. “Do you mind if I check out the space you’ve provided?”
He shook his head clear as he’d zoned out for a minute. “Nah we can check them out.”
Aldrich walked ahead of me and I peeked in the rooms and saw that one had a Jack and Jill bathroom setup, which would be perfect for me to ensure I was next to her at all times.
Given how he was reacting I was going to assume that his daughter would be with me almost exclusively when she got home and the larger room would be big enough for a bed and a her bassinet while she needed constant care.
“Will this work?” He seemed anxious for my approval and I wanted to ease his mind as quickly as I could.
“Yes, they’re perfect.” He smiled and I glanced around the empty room again. “When is the furniture being delivered?”
“Furniture?” The smile dropped again and that look of him being overwhelmed came back over his face.
“I can’t sleep on the floor.”
“Take the card and have it delivered.”
“I can’t pick out furniture for your house.” I took a step back because there was no way he was going to give me his card and just have me decorating his place. He had to be crazy to think I was going to furnish his house. I didn’t care if he wanted to pay for it or not.
“I can’t pick out furniture for your room. I have a mother and a little sister. I’m not about to be making design decisions inside of your sanctuary and you be pissed at me for ordering you the purple bed instead of the pearlescent one.”
My head tilted because this seemed to be something that he’d experienced before. “That sounds oddly specific.”
“Yeah, something that happened with her birthday when she was eleven. I stopped trying after that and just sent cash.”
“Well, we can’t let that happen. I’m sure you did the man thing and just didn’t listen to the details.”
He scratched the back of his head and gave me a self-deprecating smile. “That might be it but I’m never going to admit that to her.”
“Damn shame.”
“What?”
“Not being able to be wrong. Doesn’t bode well for you. Is it an ego thing or…” I trialed off realizing I’d spoken out of turn and I shouldn’t have. “I’m sorry—”
“You’re good. And you’re right. I gotta do better with that. Thanks for giving me a reminder.”
I could only nod hoping that he wasn’t going to hold a grudge about it later.
“You…you’re welcome.”
“I promise you’re good. I’m not going to bite.
But I am going to insist that you get whatever you like for in here.
She’s going to get out of the hospital in a few days and I’m not sure how much I have going on.
If it makes you feel better I had to get furniture for my room.
We can head to the store and add to the order if that makes you feel better. ”
“I can order something online and have it delivered.”
“Like from a chain store?”
“Yeah it’s no big deal. They actually have a good variety of items and it won’t be as expensive as an actual store.”
“I feel like you’re being cheap with yourself and you don’t have to be.”
I couldn’t help but laugh because the one thing I couldn’t be with myself was cheap.
Smart with money, yes, but never cheap. I was frugal and would only spend money on things that were important.
My mattress was important, the headboard that sat behind it was not.
“I promise it will be good quality. And it shouldn’t be more than four thousand dollars to get a bed, frame, nightstands and a good mattress in here.
I’m sorry but I’m slightly particular about mattresses and since your daughter is so young having an adjustable mattress is almost a non negotiable. ”
“Why does that matter?” Since he seemed genuinely interested I decided to educate him gently.
“Because of her age and how she came into this world she will need more intense bonding when she comes home. Only being held by nurses and being kept from constant contact because she was in the incubator means she needs to re-establish bonds.” He was nodding his head like he understood what I was saying but he still looked disconnected from all of it.
“Yeah, all that is good. And like I said money is not an issue. I know a few of the women from the team office that can help since their mothers.”
“Not willing to join me?”
“For this? Nah, you’re definitely on your own. I’m just the bank.”
“Hmm. Well since things aren’t ready for me here tonight, I’ll find a hotel nearby if that’s okay with you. You can let me know when I can come back to get her things stocked.”
“I have a passcode made up for you so even if I’m not here you’ll be able to enter the house and disarm the alarm. The only thing I ask is that you keep it armed at all times.”
“I’m sure that privacy and protection are your biggest concerns given your job. I’ll make sure I follow directions at all times.”
“Cool. I’ll show you the system and get it installed on your phone before I get you back to the airport.”
Something about his offer put me on edge. I wasn’t sure if it was my own awkwardness or his vibes but I didn’t want to put him out. “I can easily call a car—”
“You could but I’m here and I’m able. It’s the least I can do since I didn’t have a bed for you.”
Aldrich was staring at me like he dared me to keep refusing his help so all I could offer was nod. “I appreciate it.”
His smile was small but that dimple still popped out of the side of his face. “It’s not a big deal. You’re saving my life with agreeing to come on. For that, I can’t thank you enough.”