Never Let Me Go Read online

  She said nothing, just continued to watch him. It was her way of letting him know that she could see right past his dismissive words. He wasn’t a very good liar, though she had better sense than to press him about it. He was still her employer.

  After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, he sighed. “This full-time fatherhood thing is a lot to deal with. I never even thought I’d get married, let alone have a kid.”

  For some reason, his statement about never wanting to get married stung like a pinch on the forearm. Pushing the feeling aside, she touched his arm. “I know this has been a big change for you and that it’s overwhelming.”

  He put up his hand, palm open. “Wait a minute. I said it was a lot. I didn’t say it was overwhelming.”

  Yvonne noticed how he insisted on framing things a certain way. Male pride is a hell of a drug. To her mind, it was all the same. He was under a lot of stress and pressure and was having trouble dealing with it, as most people in this situation would. Still, she kept her expression neutral and nodded.

  “I really want to lock down this civic center project. It would be the biggest job of my entire career, and the rise in my profile would lead to more work.” He drew a deep breath. “When I first started out in architecture, it was about besting my rival and gaining more clients. Now that I have Sasha, I’ve got to make sure she’s taken care of as well.”

  Yvonne nodded. She’d been tossing an idea around in the back of her mind ever since her first day on the job, and now seemed like a good time to bring it up. “Listen, you have a lot going on in your life right now. Why don’t I just live in with you, to take some of the burdens off?”

  His brow furrowed. “What made you offer?”

  She searched for the right wording. “I’ve seen how tired and stressed you look when you come home. I’m not an expert, but it seems like balancing your job with fatherhood is difficult right now.”

  He was quiet for a few moments, so quiet that she started to worry she’d made him angry.

  “I’m not trying to insult or offend you, Maxwell. I’m just telling you my perceptions of the situation.”

  More silence.

  Their conversation was like a little rowboat with a hole in it. They were taking on water fast, and she knew it. So she grabbed her imaginary bucket and started tossing the water out. “I’ve seen so many new parents over my career. People who have had babies, people who’ve adopted children or inherited them from a relative. Everyone goes through an adjustment period, and that’s true for both the parents and the children. You’re both doing well, considering the circumstances.”

  He watched her, his head tilted to one side, his lips pressed together.

  “I’m here to do a job, Maxwell, and an important part of my work is to set up a routine that works for both you and the baby. All I want is to make things a little easier for you.” She genuinely meant those words, and she let her sincerity come through in her tone.

  His face relaxed a bit before he spoke again. “How much living in are you suggesting?”

  “Five days a week. Basically, I’d come in on Monday morning and stay until Friday evening. I think it will make things easier for you if you don’t have to rush home from work to let me go for the day.”

  He rested his chin against his crooked fingers as if thinking it through. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  She nodded, feeling as if she’d finally plugged the hole in their rowboat. “It’s not really a problem. Actually, it will save me a lot of gas and time, since I won’t have to drive here every morning and drive back every evening.”

  He appeared pleased. “How much more should I pay you to live in?”

  She shook her head. “You don’t need to pay me anything extra. You’re already compensating me very generously.” She made four figures per week, and not only was it the highest salary she’d ever been paid, it was more than enough incentive to care for a precious baby like Sasha.

  “I’ve got to give you something for this.” His gaze rose upward as if he were thinking, searching his mind for a solution. “Isn’t there something else you need?”

  She thought about it. With her spending more time here with Maxwell and Sasha, she’d have less time to spend at her parents’ house. Her mother still got around pretty well, but her father needed a good amount of help and, occasionally, supervision. “Would you be willing to pay for a nurse or aide to help out with my parents? Someone part time should be enough.”

  His gaze returned to her face. “So instead of a raise, you want me to pay for nursing service for your parents? Is that right?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I make enough money for what I need. But with the extra time I’ll be spending here, my parents could probably use a little additional help.”

  He considered her words for a few moments, then said, “Done. I’ll have my assistant line up some candidates for you to interview. Until someone is in place, feel free to do what you need to do for them. Take Sasha with you if you like.”

  Impressed and grateful, she smiled. “Thank you, Maxwell.”

  “You’re welcome. And I’ll also have your room professionally decorated.” He leaned back against the sofa’s pillows. “My decorator can set up the room two doors down from Sasha for you.”

  She thought that was a nice gesture. “Wow. I’ll warn you, though. My tastes are pretty simple, and the decorator probably won’t have to do very much.”

  “Still, I’d like to do this for you. I want you to be comfortable here.”

  “That’s very generous. Thank you again.”

  “You’re welcome again.” He paused. “As much as I hate to admit it, I do feel overwhelmed. I want to pursue my career goals, but at the same time, I don’t want to miss out on Sasha’s day-to-day life. It’s been hard to balance the two.”

  “Every parent goes through this, Maxwell. So don’t be too hard on yourself. I’ll be here to help you figure it all out.” She genuinely wanted to see him succeed at this. Sasha deserved a great father, and she could see Maxwell’s determination to fulfill that role. Beyond that, he had a loving family and close friends who cared about them both. It was a great, healthy environment for the baby, and having all those people in her corner would undoubtedly have a positive effect on her upbringing.

  “So when do you want to start living in?”

  “Monday. I should be able to pack up my essentials over the next two days and bring them in with me Monday morning.” It wasn’t how she’d planned to spend her weekend, but if she wanted to be ready to jump into this new arrangement by then, she’d have to change her plans. “I think the sooner we settle into this new schedule, the better.”

  He clasped his hands together. “Sounds good.” He stood up. “I’ve kept you long enough for the day. So go on home and enjoy your weekend, Yvonne.”

  She stood and started toward the foyer.

  “Thank you again for offering, Yvonne.”

  She looked back over her shoulder. “Thank you for accepting.” A few moments later, after she’d bundled up and gotten her things, she let herself out, stepping into the chilly night air.

  As she drove away from his house, she thought about what she’d just offered to do for him. Her motives had been pure…mostly. Honestly, I enjoy being around Maxwell just as much as I enjoy being around Sasha. His situation was easily the most complicated one of any parent she’d encountered in her career. On a professional level, figuring out how to best serve him and his daughter was almost like putting together a complex puzzle, and that intrigued her.

  But there was more to it than that. No matter how much she tried to ignore her feelings, her attraction to him refused to go away. Setting aside his good looks, his impeccable sense of style, and his wealth, she sensed something inside him, something much deeper than any of those obvious, surface-level factors. Her instincts told her that he was far more sensitive and
caring than he wanted to let on. She remembered the way he’d looked, holding his sleeping infant. His paternal instincts had risen, and he seemed to be fighting them. She couldn’t be certain, but it appeared as if he thought being openly affectionate with the baby would somehow diminish his manhood. She hadn’t intended to say anything about it, but she couldn’t hold back. He needed to know that real men could show affection and genuine concern without it taking away from their masculinity.

  Yes, she could see his flaws, his vulnerabilities. Yet she still felt drawn to him.

  She sighed as she pulled into her parking spot in front of her building. I might end up regretting this decision. But I really do think Maxwell and Sasha need me right now.

  I’ll just have to do the best I can to keep my feelings from overriding my judgment.

  Chapter 8

  Saturday afternoon, Maxwell stepped into the Huske Hardware House Restaurant and Brewery. The building, originally opened in 1904 as an actual hardware store, was a historic landmark in downtown Fayetteville and still had its original Victorian-era exterior masonry. As he waited in line behind the four people standing at the host station, he scanned the interior in search of his friends. The rich, golden wood that had been used to build the marble-topped bar, high-top tables, and booths made the place look like the inside of a honeycomb. Unzipping his green Theta Delta Theta bomber jacket, he shrugged out of it and tossed it over his arm.

  Thankfully, it’s a lot warmer in here than it is outside. The blast of chilly air that had hung over the Carolinas all week still persisted, and he’d be glad when it moved on.

  Spotting the guys sitting on stools at the bar, he waved to Bryan to indicate his arrival. After a brief chat with the host, he walked over to where they sat. Tyrone, Orion, and Xavier were present as well, and all of them wore some type of TDT regalia. Bryan and Tyrone each had the same bomber jacket tossed over the back of their stools. Orion wore a long-sleeve green polo with silver embroidery of the fraternity letters, and Xavier had gone all out, wearing a green TDT tracksuit with a silver stripe running down each pant leg.

  After greetings were exchanged, Bryan gestured to an empty stool to his right. “What’s up, Max. We saved you a seat.”

  “Thanks.” He climbed atop the stool and leaned against the backrest. “I’m just glad I could make it. A lot has changed since we made these plans a month ago.”

  Xavier, raising his mug, said, “You’re telling me. Where is the baby today, anyway?”

  “She’s with my mom.” He thought back on his brief interaction with her this morning. “I went over there after breakfast, and before I could even open my mouth to ask her to watch Sasha, Mom practically snatched her out of my arms. Said she needs to have some bonding time with her granddaughter.”

  Bryan chided, “Lucky you. This isn’t exactly a suitable gathering for a baby.” He took a swig from his mug.

  Maxwell nodded. “You’re right. I don’t think I’m ready for my daughter to know about my college exploits just yet.”

  A chorus of agreement met that statement. They’d gathered to celebrate the anniversary of their joining the brotherhood of TDT, and each of them had war stories far too exciting for such young and delicate ears.

  “I can’t believe it’s been ten years since our probate, man.” Tyrone shook his head. “It’s wild to think about it.”

  “Those were crazy times. When I think about the things we did to get in, man, I don’t know how I made it.”

  Draping an arm around his shoulder, Bryan insisted, “Because you had all these upperclassmen to look out for you, bro.”

  “Even though we were all pledging the same year, you didn’t have the benefit of previous college experience under your belt.” Xavier scratched his chin. “You’re welcome, Young’n’.”

  With a laugh, Orion said, “Yeah, I appreciate y’all for helping a kid out.”

  Thinking back on those days, Maxwell remembered the shenanigans they’d pulled. The late nights, the parties, hanging out on the quad with the prophytes who’d pledged in the years before them. Those were wild times…and some of the best times of his life. He’d studied hard to get his degree, but he’d played just as hard. Some would say his desire for excitement continued for years after college, and that was true, at least when it came to his dating habits. But now that I have Sasha to take care of, playtime is over.

  Orion gestured for the bartender. “Can I get a Nor’Easter, please?”

  The Young’n’s got good taste in beer. “Make that two Nor’Easters, my man.” Maxwell visited the place often enough to be familiar with the menu, and that beer was one of the best on tap there. The India pale ale, one of the signature house brews, boasted a full-bodied yet smooth flavor. He appreciated that while low on hoppy bitterness, the beer packed a nice citrus kick on the finish.

  The bartender nodded. “You got it. Any of you guys need anything?”

  Maxwell knew better than to drink on an empty stomach, so he added, “Can we get a couple of baskets of fries?”

  “No problem.”

  As the barkeep moved away, Orion said, “Hey, Max, whatever happened to that honey you got caught in the broom closet with?”

  “Yeah, yeah!” Bryan chimed in, his narrowed eyes and repetitive snapping of his fingers indicating he was tapping into his memory bank. “What was her name…Donna? Darla? Something with a D…”

  Letting his head drop back between his shoulder blades, Maxwell groaned. “Damn. Every time we start talking about college, one of y’all brings that story up. Am I ever gonna live that down?”

  All four of his brothers answered in unison, “No!”

  Shaking his head, Maxwell blew out a breath. “Dawn. Her name was Dawn. And to be honest, it was kind of a random hookup. She’d been sweating me for a few weeks prior to that, and the night of the step show, things kinda came to a head.”

  “In more ways than one.” Bryan chuckled.

  Rolling his eyes but unable to hide his smile, Maxwell continued. “That was her senior year, and I was a junior. I know she got her biology degree, but I’m not sure what happened to her after she graduated.”

  “Damn, bro. She was fine, smart, and a senior?” Orion shook his head, his expression conveying his awe. “No wonder you were my hero back then.”

  “You mean you never reached out?” Xavier’s wide-eyed gaze met his.

  Maxwell shook his head. “Nah. It wasn’t that deep.”

  “Is it that deep with Yvonne?”

  Maxwell’s brow furrowed. That seems like a bit of leap. “Bryan, what does she have to do with what we’re talking about?”

  “Come on, Max. We all saw the way you were looking at her.”

  “Not me, I wasn’t there.” Xavier frowned. “Now I feel like I missed something.”

  All the guys were watching Maxwell, and he didn’t care for their scrutiny at all. “B, you’re way off. Yvonne is just my nanny. There’s no other relationship between us. Besides, we’ve known each other less than a week.”

  “I know all that. But I also know you’re attracted to her.” Bryan leaned in his direction. “Admit it.”

  Maxwell didn’t speak. There’s not really a good answer to that question. He had only two choices: admitting his fascination with his new nanny and setting off a chain reaction of nosey questions, or lying to his best friends.

  The bartender delivered their order, momentarily taking the guys’ attention away from him, and Maxwell blew out a breath. The reprieve was short-lived, however.

  Tyrone helped himself to a handful of fries. “Even if you don’t wanna admit it, Max, it’s obvious you’re feeling her. We could all see it.”

  Maxwell felt his face tighten as everyone except Xavier nodded their heads.

  “Nobody blames you for it, bro.” Tyrone crunched on a fry. “She’s a beautiful woman, and she’s obviously very cari
ng.”

  Folding his arms over his chest, Maxwell sighed. My brothers are right about Yvonne on all counts. “She’s kind and beautiful, yes. But she’s also very professional. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t even entertain the idea of a relationship with someone she works for.”

  Bryan snapped his fingers. “So you’re admitting you like her. Now we’re getting somewhere.”

  Maxwell rolled his eyes. “Where you’re getting is on my nerves. We need to change the subject. Besides, we didn’t come here to talk about my love life. We’re here to reminisce about the good old days at Central.”

  Xavier shrugged. “I wasn’t there for any of this, but I do trust my brothers’ word. I’m not going to make any judgments here, but I will tell you that getting married has given me access to levels of happiness and satisfaction I never would have imagined.”

  “Typical Xavier. Your advice sounds like a political speech.” Bryan shook his head. “He’s right, even though his delivery is over the top. Marrying Alexis has enriched my life on every level. Now, I’m not saying Yvonne is the one. What I’m saying is if you have feelings for her, you might want to explore the possibilities.”

  Orion quipped, “Y’all are both grown and single, so conduct yourselves accordingly. But it doesn’t necessarily have to lead to marriage. You and I are the last two single brothers in this group.” He tilted his head. “If we’re not careful, we’ll end up as mushy and preachy as these three.”

  Maxwell chuckled on the heels of that comment. His friends were perceptive, perhaps a little more than he would have liked. Yes, I’m attracted to Yvonne. But my situation is complicated enough without adding another layer of drama. He had the civic center project, his regular client load, and, as of this week, full responsibility for his young daughter. His plate was so full it threatened to crack under the weight of its contents at any moment.

  A couple of hours later, he was back behind the wheel of his SUV, headed to his parents’ house to pick up Sasha. With the sounds of the Black Panther film score flowing through his speakers, he let his mind wander, thinking through all the changes in his life. While he drove, Bryan’s words kept repeating in his mind.