But I determinedly looked away, pointing my attention at the man standing in front of the other sofa.
“Would you like something to drink? Water? Or tea?” Adam asked as he gestured for me to take a seat.
“No, thank you. I’m fine.” I set my purse on the plush yet sleek sofa and quickly sat. No way was I drinking anything in this immaculate house. Especially not anything that could stain, like tea. I was so nervous I just knew my hands were shaking. No need to attract attention to my anxiety.
I didn’t know why I was so anxious. With my lack of nannying experience, I really doubted I’d be hired. And at least this way I wouldn’t have Lyla nagging me endlessly to do it.
“…your experience?”
I blinked back into the present and the man I’d spaced out on. “I’m sorry? I missed what you said.”
Yeah, no way was I getting this job.Pull it together, Briar!
Adam cleared his throat. “I was just asking about your experience.”
“Right. I don’t have any.”
Adam made a choking sound before coughing roughly. “What? Maybe I should’ve checked your ID. You are Briar St. Clair, correct?”
“Yes, I am.”
He grabbed a stack of papers on the side table next him. “You have a bachelor’s in early childhood education and a master’s in teaching?”
“Yes, but I’ve only had the master’s for a few months. I’ve been working while doing some night and online classes for it.”
“And you’ve been working as a preschool teacher for how long?”
“Seven years. Well technically, five years at my current school.”
“And you don’t consider any of that experience?” Adam stared at me incredulously.
“I was talking about nanny experience. I’m so sorry. I’m nervous, and I was just thinking about how you’re never going to hire me because I don’t have any nanny experience, and now I’m rambling, so I think I should shut up.”
Adam laughed. “I think that’s a first for me. No one is ever nervous aroundme. King on the other hand…” He hitched a shoulder.
I let out a shuddering sigh. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about that. No way was I making it past the gatekeeper with the way this interview was going. “Again, I’m sorry. I haven’t been in an interview situation for over five years. I guess I’m a little rusty.”
“Let’s talk about that. Why are you thinking about leaving your current job? Sounds like you’ve been there for a while.”
“I have. I love my job. Working with kids is so incredibly rewarding. They’re so open with their emotions. You never have to wonder what they’re thinking or feeling. They’ll tell you if they’re able. It always breaks my heart at the end of the school year when they go on to kindergarten.”
“Is that why you’re looking at a change in career? More permanency with your charge?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it like that, but it would be nice. I think it would be pretty special to be able to stay with one child long enough to really see them change and grow for longer than a year or two. But um, no. That’s not the reason.”
I stopped and cleared my throat. I suddenly felt parched, but I’d be damned if I was going to ask for a water now.
I smiled nervously before continuing. “I um, teaching, especially preschool, isn’t exactly the most lucrative field. As much as I love working with children, I need to be able to pay my bills, and unfortunately the master’s degree didn’t give my salary the boost I’d been hoping for. And now I have student loans on top of my other debts.”
A prick of heat burned my eyes that I was determined to blink away. This interview was already off the rails. I wasn’t going to add crying in front of him to the list of my many sins.
“Okay.” Adam filtered through the stack of papers in front of him, pulling several of them free. “I’m going to put you through to the next round. If you’re agreeable, I’ll need you to sign our NDA.”
I accepted the papers in shock. Really? After how I’d been answering so far, he wanted to talk more? Who the heck were the other applicants?
Adam laughed at my shocked expression. “You haven’t once mentioned movies, sets, or wanting to meet Kingston Grier.”
“To be honest, I’m more curious about Zoe.” I couldn’t help but smile thinking about how cute the little toddler had to be.