“Yup,” I affirm with a wicked smile.
Veronica’s expression becomes aloof, and she looks again at her dress, smoothing the material at her hips—which obviously draws my attention.
“This old thing?” she says, eyes lifting to mine. “One of many, sort of like these diamonds.” She raises her hands and wiggles her fingers. “What can I say? It pays to marry and divorce rich.”
I grimace over her lack of character. Of course, she’d be in it for the money, and now I’m convinced that must have been what was bothering me about her. I must have sensed an innate shallowness within her.
It’s a good thing that I know her position here is temporary and that she’s merely training Janelle to take her place. I don’t want this woman influencing my sister.
Veronica-whatever-her-last-name-is has become unattractive to me with that glimpse into her true character.
Okay, that’s not true. She’s still absolutely fucking gorgeous, but at least my curiosity has been satisfied.
“Riggs!” Janelle exclaims from somewhere behind me, and I spin to see her coming out of a door to the left of the rows of bookshelves. “You’re here early.”
Clarke follows her out and offers a silent wave, and I give her a smile before returning my attention to my sister. “Thought I’d check out where you’re working.”
“Isn’t this place great?” Janelle asks. She does a slow turn with her arms outstretched as if the three-sixty-degree view fills her with wonder and awe.
Before I can agree that yes, this place is super cool now that I’ve got my eyes off the sexy but money-hungry Veronica, that it’s unique and charming, Janelle says, “Did you tell him our idea?”
I have no clue what she’s talking about, but Janelle is talking directly to Veronica. My gaze slides to her, and she gives Janelle a wan smile. “Figured it was better coming from you.”
I don’t know what these two have concocted or want to tell me, but after that exchange I had with Veronica, the answer is going to be no.
And I can tell by Veronica’s tone and expression, she knows my answer is going to be no too. I might not have responded to her “divorce rich” statement, but I’m sure she saw the distaste written all over my face.
Janelle rushes up to me, eyes filled with hope. “Veronica said I could stay with her when you go on your road trips rather than hire a new nanny to take Mrs. Blair’s place.”
Fuck.
I’d interviewed three women today from the caregiver agency to replace Mrs. Blair. I wanted to talk to Janelle tonight about the three choices, none of whom were ideal. In fact, given the choice, I bet Janelle would pick Mrs. Blair over them, and that says something.
But no way in fuck is she going to stay with Veronica. She’ll probably have her out hunting for a rich husband in no time at all.
I try to keep my voice neutral as I force a smile. “That’s a nice offer, but we couldn’t impose.”
“It’s not an imposition at all,” she says, smiling sweetly back at me, daring me to come up with some other excuse to deny Janelle this.
“Well,” I say cautiously, my eyes cutting to Clarke who’s watching with interest, “I’ve interviewed three women from the same agency as Mrs. Blair, and since I’ve paid for January, it only makes sense to use someone from that agency.”
Veronica’s eyes flash with challenge. She waves a hand. “Oh, come on… you’ve got plenty of money. So you lose January’s payment, but I’ll be free for the rest of the hockey season. You’ll save a ton.”
Goddamn it.
Janelle looks at me expectantly, her body vibrating with the need to yelp in joy the minute I say it’s okay.
But that’s not happening, and she’ll just have to be disappointed.
It’s time to be plainspoken. “Again, I appreciate the offer, but I’d feel better if Janelle was in the care of professionals.”
I glance at Clarke, now frowning as she’s picked up on the negative vibes between me and Veronica. I’m confident that after I leave, she’ll grill Veronica—who I know from Aaron is Clarke’s best friend in the world—about what the hell is going on. I’m sure Aaron will end up with an earful at some point.
“Let’s get going, Janelle,” I say to my sister, glancing at Clarke. “It was nice seeing you.”
“You too,” she murmurs tentatively, confusion etched on her face.
I don’t dare look back at Veronica. I bet she’s cool as a cucumber. Probably has a smirk in place, which is only removable by a harsh kiss—
Goddamn it, man. Stop thinking like that.
I pivot and move to the door, hating the sound of disappointment in Janelle’s voice as she bids the two women farewell.
She’s silent as she follows me to my car. Once we’re inside and our seat belts are on, but before I can put the car in drive, she lights into me. “Why were you so rude to Veronica? And why can’t I stay with her rather than some stranger?”