Blame It on Paris
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Aimee Ginger
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8,3M
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59
Anelise Morgan was trying to break free from the sheltered life that her parents had raised her in. She was in college spreading her wings, growing and becoming her own person. She was even lucky enough to find a best friend and surrogate family to help guide her and love her. She felt like the world was just waiting for her to experience it. Michael Whitlock was desperate for help with his son. So when his neighbors offered their daughter as an option, he jumped on the idea. He had no idea what was in store for him when he saw her the first time. She was nothing like pictures at her parent’s home and he was awestruck by the sight before him. All he knew was that his heart had never beat the way it had been since he laid eyes on her.
Chapter 1
“Kathy, you can’t be serious!” Michael exclaimed, his voice echoing disbelief.
“I’m really sorry, Michael. But I’m in Vegas now with Shawn. We’re heading off on a long honeymoon,” Kathy replied.
“We’re leaving in two weeks! Two weeks! What am I supposed to do without a nanny?!” he cried out.
“I’m sorry, Michael... Could you say goodbye to Ollie for me?” she asked, her voice soft.
“Yeah, sure…” he muttered before hanging up. He tossed the phone onto the table, swearing under his breath, “Son of a bitch!”
“What’s up, Michael?” Kim Morgan asked, her voice filled with concern.
“Nothing much, just my nanny deciding to quit on me!” he spat out, leaning back in his chair and running his fingers through his hair.
“What?!” Neil Morgan walked over to the table, leading a cute little boy to his father with a sippy cup of milk. “Kathy just quit?!”
“She’s in Vegas, getting hitched!” Michael gritted out to his neighbors.
“Wow…” Kim murmured.
He sighed. “I need to call my mom. Can you watch Ollie for me?”
“Sure! Do you want us to hold off on lunch?” Neil asked, ruffling the little boy’s hair.
“No, go ahead and eat. I should only be a few minutes,” Michael replied. They nodded in understanding, and he walked to the back of their perfectly manicured lawn to call his mom.
“Michael! Hi honey! How are you?” Susan Whitlock gushed.
“Mom, I’m in deep shit!”
“What happened?” she asked, her voice filled with worry. “Is Ollie okay?”
“Ollie’s fine… Kathy just called and quit! She’s in Vegas, eloping!”
“Oh Michael! But you’re leaving in a few weeks!”
“I know! Can you help me out?” he pleaded.
“Oh honey, I can fly up and help before you leave, but you know I can’t go to London with you,” Susan said gently.
“I know, Mom, but if you could stay until I find someone, I’d really appreciate it! You know what, I’ll get you a really nice birthday present!” he offered.
She laughed, “Let me look for flights to Chicago and think about what you can get me for my birthday then.”
“Thanks, Mom! Ollie and I will pick you up at the airport. Thank you!”
“You’re welcome, honey. I’ll be in touch.”
Relieved, Michael returned to the table and sat down with his son and neighbors. “My mom’s coming to watch Ollie until I can figure something out.”
“Michael, Kim and I were thinking. What about our daughter, Anelise?”
“What about her? Isn’t she in college?” he asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
“Well, yes, but she’s almost done with her semester and she loves babysitting,” Kim replied.
“Really? Do you think she’d be interested in spending her summer as a nanny?”
“I think this would be perfect for her! She’s getting her master’s in English literature and is just starting on her thesis.”
Neil chimed in, “She’s a good girl, never gets in trouble, and has a 4.0. And she doesn’t party, even though her roommate really tries to get her to!”
“How old is she again?” Michael asked.
“She’s twenty. She’ll be turning twenty-one in October,” Kim said proudly.
Michael was desperate and thought for a moment. “Can I have her number? I’ll give her a call and see what she thinks.”
“Of course! I’ll text her to give her a heads-up,” Neil said as he passed a tray of grilled salmon to his neighbor.
As he was about to leave, Michael glanced at the pictures of the neighbors’ daughter on the walls.
She was a curvy young woman with glasses, dark auburn hair, and a warm smile. She looked like the quintessential bookworm and seemed like a good choice to watch Ollie when they went to England.
He hoped the call would go well.
***
Anelise was making notes for the thesis proposal that she would be writing over the summer. She had to turn it in after the final, but she just wasn’t satisfied with it. She wanted something more, but didn’t know what.
When she was discussing her proposal with Professor Andrews, she had felt it was lacking something, some excitement or passion, some spark that ignited her soul.
Professor Andrews, on the other hand, said what she had was great and would make a good final project. But Anelise didn’t want just good; she wanted her thesis to be amazing and awe-inspiring.
Anelise sighed as she went to get a cup of sweet tea, which she allowed herself to have once a day. She believed that if she didn’t limit herself, the weight loss she had worked so hard for would be undone.
She took a long sip from her cup, feeling thankful that her roommate and best friend, Leslie, was out having Sunday brunch with her ridiculously wealthy family and that the apartment was quiet so she could stew in peace.
She was pacing around the room, trying to clear her head and buckle down to study for the rest of her finals, when her phone rang.
She didn’t recognize the number, but seeing that it was from Chicago, she figured it could be the neighbor that her parents had said might call with an interesting proposal.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Um… Hello. May I speak with Anelise, please?” asked the caller in a deep baritone voice, which sent shivers down her spine.
“This is Anelise. How can I help you?”
“My name is Michael Whitlock. Your parents gave me your number. I’m their neighbor,” he explained.
“Oh yes, they mentioned that you might be calling with a proposal. What can I do for you?”
“Well, I know this is completely out of the blue, but I’m in a real bind. Your parents mentioned that you liked kids and babysitting might be something you’d be interested in. My nanny quit yesterday and is eloping.”
“That’s pretty romantic,” she said, her smile lighting up her face.
He laughed. “I guess it is, but here’s the catch. I’m heading out of town for work for three months. She was supposed to come along and look after my son, Ollie, while I was busy. Would you be interested in doing that? I promise to pay you well.”
She chewed on her lip, considering the offer. The money could be good, and she had started to enjoy shopping with Leslie since she had lost all that weight.
“I’m not sure... I have to write my master’s thesis…”
“I know. Your parents mentioned it. But they also thought you might be interested in this. My job is sending me to London for the summer. You’d have days off to explore and do research for your paper.”
“Really?!” Analise gasped.
“Yes, we leave in thirteen days, and I’ll pay you $1500 per week. My company will cover food and accommodation. But you should know that I’ll be working a lot, and you’d be responsible for Ollie late into the night.”
He hoped he had made the offer sound appealing, rather than overwhelming.
Three months in London? Earning a ton of money for watching one kid? She could even quit her job at the coffee shop and not have to go back next semester!
“Are you still there?” His voice broke through her thoughts.
“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry! Yes, I’m still here, and yes, I’ll do it!” she replied, her voice filled with excitement.
“Really?!” Michael’s voice was filled with relief.
“Yes. I know it’s not ideal that I can’t meet you or your son before we leave. But this sounds like a good arrangement for both of us, especially if my parents gave you my number. And I could quit my job with the money you’re offering,” she said, feeling a rush of excitement.
