Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
ANGELO
I have to come clean.
I have to come clean.
I have to come clean.
That's the chant going through my head as I drive over to the pub to meet Annie.
After last night, I can't keep a secret as big as Gracie's sister being in town from her. It feels wrong, and I know keeping a secret like that will only hurt her. I can’t do that to someone I care about.
For things to work between us, there needs to be honesty.
At the very least I need to tell my client about Gracie and what’s developing between us. I thought hiding it would be best for my business, but now I'm not so sure. Now it’s personal, and things are starting to fall into a gray area I'm no longer comfortable with.
My mind made up, I park my vehicle in front of the pub and grab the blueprints. I emailed over copies yesterday, but Annie responded back that she wanted to meet today, so here I am.
When I walk inside, I find Annie moving around the large area with a smile on her face. It kills me that I'm about to ruin a great business opportunity, but if I'm going to raise my kids to stick to their morals, then I need to do the same.
"I love everything you sent over," Annie squeals as soon as she sees me. "I'm not sure how you took my dream and made it a reality, but the blueprints are spectacular and the mockups that came with it made me scream, I was so happy."
"Yeah, about that." I grab the back of my neck with my free hand and rub the tense area.
"Uh-oh. Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like what you have to say next?"
I do my best to rub the tension away, but it's no use. "Because you're not. I have to come clean about something, and I know you aren't going to like it."
All the excitement and color drains from Annie's face. "You told someone I'm here, didn't you?"
"No," I'm quick to reassure her, even though I know I’m about to tell her something that will upset her.
"I haven't told anyone, but there's something you should know.
Your sister Gracie is my tenant and she's been nannying for my youngest daughter, but last night, things went a little further than that. "
I don't go into details. It's not my right. If anyone should be talking to Annie about what’s going on, it should be Gracie.
I watch as Annie blinks several times before finally breaking out into a fit of laughter. It takes her a few minutes before she can control herself enough to wheeze out some words. "Nanny? Gracie is a nanny?"
My hackles rise at the implication. Gracie has been nothing but great with Everly.
Okay, maybe great isn't the right word, but they've managed. And she’s a hell of a lot more reliable than my prior child care options.
"Yes, a nanny. Why? You don't think she's capable?"
Annie wipes a tear from the corner of her eye before she answers. "Oh, Gracie can do anything she puts her mind to, but I never thought being a nanny would be one of those things. She has no experience. Heck, she barely likes kids. She thinks they’re sticky and gross."
It's my turn to laugh because Annie isn't wrong. Kids are sticky and gross. "Well, she seems to be managing just fine."
"I bet she is."
There’s something slightly off about the way she says that, but I don't take the time to analyze it. I’ve got other things to worry about. Like if I keep stalling, there’s a good chance I’m going to keep my mouth shut instead of doing the right thing.
"I can't lie to her, Annie. I can't start a relationship off that way."
"You signed an NDA," she reminds me.
I let out a loud exhale. "I know I did, but that was before your sister showed up on my steps looking to rent out my in-law suite.
It was before I hired her to nanny for me, and it was certainly before things started to get serious between us.
She's talked to me about you. She's worried because you've gone missing, and here I am feeling guilty because I have knowledge that would alleviate her fears. "
Annie bites on the corner of her lip but stays quiet for a few moments. "She told you that?"
"Yes. After having dinner with your brother. They’re worried about you, and I had to pretend I didn't know you were in the same town as them. Hell, I had to pretend I have no idea who you are. When I signed that agreement, I never thought I would be in this position."
I can tell Annie’s taking the time to actually think about what I said. I doubt she expected me to be put in this position. Or that her family would worry so much. She might be a grown-ass adult, but even adults can be easily missed.
"Give me a few weeks." I start to protest, but she stops me with a raised hand. "Give me time to get a few affairs in order and then you can tell her. I know it's not ideal, but I'm willing to forgo the NDA if you can do this for me."
No, it isn't ideal. But it's better than nothing. "A few weeks on one condition. If she finds out somehow, I won't lie to her."
This time Annie’s the one to let out a loud puff of air. "That's fair. And to be honest, now that I know Owen is looking for me, I'm not even sure I'll get my few weeks. He can be relentless when it comes to our family."
"I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet."
"Oh, you will." Annie lets out a humorless laugh. "If you and Gracie are getting serious, he’ll demand it."
I have no doubt that's true.
"So, I'm not fired?" I was so sure that would be the case, I have to ask. Just to make sure I didn’t miss that hidden message in any of her words.
"After the ideas you sent me? Not a chance."
I smile with pride. It's always a good feeling when a client approves the design based on the ideas they gave. Since Annie didn't give me much to go on, I had to work with what little I knew about her.
"Speaking of. Now that you plan to make your presence known sooner than anticipated, would you like to move forward with the outdoor seating?"
Her face lights up. "Oh my God, yes! That would be amazing. I was trying to figure out how I could make that work, but was coming up empty. Now that I can have it, would you be willing to sell the plot next door for it?"
"I think we can work something out."
Annie claps her hands with excitement and I can honestly say I share in her happiness at being back on track with things.
I take the blueprints and spread them out over one of the makeshift workbenches my crew has set up. I don't even have to say anything before Annie joins me and we start to go over the plans in more detail.
An hour and a few minor changes later, I'm walking back out the door feeling much better than I did when I arrived.
I might not be able to tell Gracie about her sister today, but I will soon enough.
In the meantime, I have other parts of my life I can share with her.
And today seems like a good day to do just that.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I send off a quick text letting her know I'll be picking her and Everly up soon.
Excitement fills me as the gravity of what’s about to happen hits me. I never thought I would want to share personal parts of my life with someone after my wife died, but Gracie makes me want to do anything and everything. And I haven’t felt this happy in a very long time.