Just Sign Here - Cara Dee Page 0,7
together?”
“Yeah. Wiv dolls and in a sambox.”
“I loved playing in the sandbox when I was little,” Peyton replied. “And do you know the best thing about being friends?” When she shook her head, he said, “When something is wrong, you can whisper it to your friend so they know. Then they can help you make things right again.”
I felt my heart rate slow down again, and I let out a breath.
“I dunno,” she sniffled, getting upset once more, though not as much.
“You don’t know why you’re sad?” Peyton asked.
“No,” she cried.
“But that’s a good answer, sweetheart.” Peyton stroked her back soothingly. And while my immediate worry had lessened, another replaced it. I’d been down this road with her before. She wasn’t completely impossible to communicate with; she even had moments where she was utterly adorable. But if she genuinely didn’t know where this rage came from, how would I be able to help? How could I make it better?
I despised feeling helpless.
“You don’t have to know why you’re upset,” Peyton went on in a comforting tone. “When it happens, you can try to tell us. Tell us that you’re starting to get sad or angry but don’t know why, and we will come up with something else to do.”
Yeah, the distractions. I’d done that too.
I wasn’t expecting any miracles with Peyton, though. He’d just arrived; he’d just met her for the first time, and he was already communicating with her. At the very least, it was a reason to make him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Because if, in ten minutes, he could calm her down from a tantrum, imagine what he could do in a few months.
“You don’t have to remember everything I said,” he assured her. “I’ll remind you, okay?”
She sniffled and shrugged, then nodded slightly.
“Did you see the amazing breakfast out there?” he asked next. “I think I’m gonna have pancakes. Do you like pancakes?”
She nodded, which wasn’t technically a lie. She only happened to like them very rarely.
“Come on, then. Let’s go eat. I’ll show you how to make animals with the pancakes.”
“What ammamal?”
I nodded to Cathryn, and we made our way back to the dining area.
I hoped this was a step in the right direction.
“I’m hiring him,” I said quietly.
Cathryn dipped her chin and sat down. “He does seem to have a way about him. He jumped right in.”
To say the least.
Knowing how sensitive Julia was right after a tantrum, both Cathryn and I pretended to be immersed in our breakfast when she returned with Peyton in tow.
“May I have pancakes, please?” Peyton asked and took his seat.
I furrowed my brow at him. “Of course.” They were right in front of him.
He quirked a grin and tilted his head at Julia. “Your turn to ask.”
She scrunched her nose and eyed me. “Pancakes, pwlease.”
“That was fucking awesome,” Peyton stated bluntly.
Julia gasped at the curse and slapped a hand over her mouth before she giggled.
The sound made my goddamn heart soar, and it caused a rush of emotions to flow within me. I also understood his approach now. He was going to lead by example, something Julia had never had.
That morning, I was willing to bet I became the first boss to serve his future assistant pancakes.
He looked extremely satisfied. “Thank you.”
I plated two pancakes for Julia too, and she mirrored him once again with a quiet, “Thank you.”
Three
“Name your price for a minimum of one year of around-the-clock employment with me, because I’m not letting you go,” I said as soon as we left the suite.
“A million dollars.”
“Done.”
“Dude, what the fuck. I was kidding.”
“I wasn’t.” I pressed the button for the elevator and faced him. “But don’t call me dude again. It’s sir or Mr. Delamare.” Then I handed him my work phone and a whole lot of information. “All work-related matters come through here. You’re in charge of it. The code is sixty-four, thirty-four. You’ll find my meetings and appointments in the calendar—which is synced with Mathis’s calendar—same with birthdays and other reminders. And speaking of Mathis—you need to talk to him immediately so he can get you travel-ready for us.” I paused briefly, moderately impressed with how he appeared to process everything without an ounce of confusion on his face. “Passwords and account details are in the app with a padlock on it. Every morning, I want a briefing of the day’s schedule. A week’s notice is required for birthdays, two days for private appointments, such as the doctor or dentist. Everything related to