What?!
Lauren dropped the toast down and licked her lips turning to Lucas "you said?"
He couldn't be serious, there was too much on her plate and as much as she loved children, taking care of one was not on the list to get money for her brother.
She had found the little bubbly angel on her chest cute but she can't take care of a child, she couldn't even take care of her little brother, no less, herself and then a child?
She knew she wasn't in her for that. She faced the little girl in her arms, smiling before pressing her mouth on her neck to blow, making her laugh so loudly. "Who wants some candies?" She asked, going to her walker and dropped her "I'm coming princess" she bent and kissed her on the cheek.
She sauntered to where her food was to continue which was the same place Lucas stood. She saw how he retreated like he was scared of having any close contact with her, she turned to him "Are you married?" She blurted out and her eyes went wide as her hand went to her lips but Lucas chuckled, shaking his head.
Lauren smacked herself inside her head for blurting out such a thing. That wasn't the question she intended to ask. She didn't even know what she wanted to say. She facepalmed her brain. Now what would he think of her? A loose tongue woman.
She had uttered nothing but rubbish in the last few hours and kept on disgracing herself. She couldn't be a nanny for his daughter. Not caring if he was married or not.
He was handsome, yes, his inky black hair stood at ends so roughly like he had been running his hands through it and his brown eyes she had lost herself in shone so brightly.
But that wasn't the reason, she had no time for caring for anyone but her brother and would wish she had time for that because she wanted to have a chance with his cute daughter.
Lauren bit her lips mulling over the pros and cons of why she couldn't and can't take up this job as much as she wanted to show how grateful she was. "Sorry for that," she grinned, picking up the orange juice. "Is there any other way I could repay you…for helping me stay the night? Maybe money?" She winced at that.
Money? She didn't have that but would pay just to get off this handsome man's back. There was no need to form any long term bond. It was just a one time help.
He scratched the back of his neck and raised his forefinger "how much do you want as pay?" Ok this was it. Lauren opened her mouth to say something when her phone rang from her bag and she closed her eyes in exasperation because she knew who and why?
She needed to leave for her work in the coffee shop. She didn't even go to the club last night and that would take a slight break in the money for the surgery and here she was bargaining with it.
Can't he just let her go?
"I'm sorry but I can't be a nanny for your daughter. I wish I could but I can't. I have too many things I'm doing right now and don't have the time for that but I appreciate and grateful to you for letting me stay the night"
Lucas stepped around the countertop to stand in front of her from the other side "That's the thing. I know you are grateful , that's why I'm going to pay you any amount you want. My daughter likes you, no big deal in that. Just take care of her while I'm away. It won't be everyday…at least" his eyes bored into hers and she saw how sincere and helpless he really was inside there.
She nodded looking around the kitchen "what about the housekeeper. Martha?" she had told her her name last night but decided against using it. It wasn't her place.
"My daughter is not…was good with her before now" his face fell "but something happened that made her withdraw and she only wants me now" he sighed, rubbing his eyes and her eyes saw the things her lust-filled gaze couldn't see.
He was tired and his shoulders looked heavy with eye bags under his eyes, his hair looked rough. He looked unkept in a clean way for a man who had such a home and a housekeeper and of course people he ordered around in his work place.
He needed help and she could be willing to squeeze in something but first "What's the catch?" She pushed the straps of her bag into her shoulder more and felt her phone beep but ignored it.
"Any amount you want" and she raised her brow. That can't be this easy. "I need it. She loves you. You said you didn't have time and did other things, I'm trying to make you feel comfortable in it" he shrugged smiling at her and she nervously smiled back.
"You don't even know my name" she mumbled but he heard it. He stretched his hand towards her "Lucas. Lucas Montgomery." She shook it as their eyes locked "Lauren Mark"
"Settled. We know our names, so how do we go from here?" And she chuckled "I could be a killer for all you know?" She went back to the now whining angel at her back and picked her into her arms and she stopped crying pulling on Lauren's cheeks.
"She loves you. Please consider it. I wouldn't force you but would be grateful if you think about it. Maybe you will give me your answer by the weekend?" She heard what he said and turned to him.
"Really serious about the pay thing yeah?" Maybe she could use the medium to ask for some money but not too greedily though "I have no credentials for this but I could see myself getting into it?"
He nodded rounding the island to meet her "I don't mind. If you're in we could go around and into that?"
"Yep" the "p" echoed popping at the end and she saw how his eyes went right to her lips before sliding up to her eyes. She shifted on her feet and removed her eyes "I need time"
"And that you will get but until the weekend" he needed other options. She hummed handing his daughter back to him and tightly smiled at him then kissing his daughter and waved at her before leaving with Lucas watching her.