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I snorted. Carina’s mouth curved into a tiny smile, and my pulse gave an unwelcome kick.

“About Saturday.” I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry if I was being a…”

“Dick? Jerk? Grumpy old fart?”

I scowled, and her little smile widened into a grin. “Something along those lines,” I grumbled. “Though I take exception to the ‘old fart’ part.”

I was thirty. I wasn’t that old.

“I guess that’s a matter of opinion,” Carina said, which didn’t improve my mood one bit. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

She stared at me expectantly. She must’ve come straight from the office. Her hair was up in some sort of bun, and she wore a relatively conservative dress and tights under her coat.

I realized this was my first time seeing her hair up since, well, ever. My eyes lingered on the elegant curve of her neck before I caught myself and dragged my gaze away.

Don’t be a fucking creep, Wilson.

“I…” The words stuck in my throat. I knew what I should say, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. “Thank you for helping Evie with the dress.”

“You’re welcome.” Carina paused, obviously waiting for more. When I remained silent, she glanced around, her expression turning awkward. “Anyway, it was nice running into you, but I should go. Tell Evie good luck with her recital.”

She took a step toward the exit.

The memory of her talking to Evie flashed through my mind, followed by an image of Evie’s happy smile.

I closed my eyes briefly. Goddammit. “Wait.”

Carina stopped.

“Are you still looking for a second job?”

Her eyes turned wary again. “Yes.”

“Would you…” Fuck, trying to get the words out was like pulling teeth. “Would you be interested in nannying for Evie? Only until the end of the season in May.” I was playing in the World Cup this summer. Unlike most UK schools, which operated on a three-term academic year, Evie’s private school followed an unconventional two-term schedule, so she’d be on vacation at the same time I was at the World Cup. I’d arranged for her to stay with my parents then, and I could look for a more permanent nanny replacement after the tournament.

Carina’s eyebrows shot up. “I thought you didn’t want to hire anyone in your friend circle.”

“I don’t.” I specifically didn’t want to hire her. It was too complicated for reasons I couldn’t name. But after seeing how good she was with Evie, it would be selfish to put my own irrational hang-ups above my daughter’s needs.

Coach let me leave training a little early this week so I could pick Evie up from school, but he’d warned me that was a short-term thing. We had some big matches coming up, and I needed to figure out my nanny situation, stat.

I hated to admit it, but hiring Carina was the best and easiest solution.

“However, Evie seems comfortable with you, and you are pre-vetted, like Asher said.” I tried to gauge Carina’s reaction, but her face was unreadable. “If you’re interested, I can send over more details in writing.”

“That’s not necessary.”

A strange jolt of disappointment coasted through me. “I see,” I said stiffly. “In that case, forget⁠—”

“We’re already here. You can tell me the details in person.” Carina sounded amused. “When’s the start date?”

“As soon as possible. Ideally Monday.” That would give us time to go over the contract and have a trial run first.

“The hours?”

“Mostly early mornings, afternoons, and weekends. If it’s a match day or I’m traveling, you’ll be on the clock too. I pay double for those hours.”

She nodded slowly. “And the base salary?”