“Sweet Mary Magdalene…” Erin whispered, staring up at the enormous high rise. The condos sat right in the heart of Manhattan, surrounded by the creme of the cosmopolitan crop. The area alone would skyrocket the price of even a hole in the wall, but considering all the frill of the exterior, Erin could tell the actual condo would be luxurious.

Erin stepped inside the glass double doors, marveling at the extravagance. An expansive fountain ran along the surface of the walls. The twinkling track lights made the water shimmer as it cascaded down the mosaic backsplash. The floors were white marble, designed with a natural looking distress pattern. In addition, there was an assortment of glass sculptures, and bouquets of bright flowers strategically placed throughout the foyer. Compared to the exotic floral, the potted plant in Erin’s hands looked positively provincial.

At the time, the gesture seemed innocent enough but as he made his way up to the condo, Nina’s warning replayed in his mind. He didn’t want this man to get the wrong idea about him. Their relationship would ultimately be a business one, but there was nothing wrong with bringing flowers as a token of appreciation, right?

Right.

Erin nodded to convince himself and knocked on the door firmly. Flowers were a universal sign of friendship, not love, and even if Mr. Baker hated flowers, Erin was sure his daughter would love them.

It didn’t take long for someone to answer. The door swung in, and a little girl curiously blinked up at him.

“Well, hello!” Erin said, immediately dropping to her eye level. She was decidedly adorable, with strawberry blonde ringlets, and the most beautiful blue eyes Erin had ever seen.

“My name is Erin Holloway, what’s yours?”

The girl eyed him suspiciously before she caught sight of the flower clip in his hair. “That’s pretty.” She pointed to the clip with her stubby finger. “I like the color yellow.”

“You do?” Erin replied, happy he no longer needed to hide his excitement. “That’s awesome! Yellow is my absolute favorite color! Would you like to know why?” Her eyes betrayed her interest, but she refused to return Erin’s smile. “I love it because it’s the color of happiness and sunshine. And every time I see it, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!” He coaxed a reluctant giggle out of her, but she maintained the distance between them.

Erin was about to ask for her name again, when a man’s voice yelled out, “Annalee!”

Erin jumped, startled. The door flung open, revealing the atrium in its entirety. The girl quickly stepped aside when her father shielded her from Erin's view and crowded the entry space. “What did I tell you about opening the door without my permission?”

“But Papa, I—”

“No buts, young lady!" He barked at her. "You know better than to answer the door for strangers!”

“It was my fault!” Erin blurted. He flinched when the man rounded on him and pinned him with a withering glare. “She was only being polite,” Erin added, frantic in his attempt to absolve her. “I should have told her to fetch you right away.”

Erin folded against the hard look the man continued to give him. Undoubtedly Alpha. If not apparent by his towering height and muscular build, then clearly by his scent; a sweet smelling musk, with a hint of smoked wood and spiced cider. It reminded Erin of Christmas, which was incidentally his favorite time of year.

Those eyes swept over Erin’s clothes and hair, lingering at the ornamental flower he used to pull back his bangs. However, unlike Annalee, there was no warmth in his gaze; only ice, and disdain. It seeped through to the pit of Erin’s belly and made him shiver, but he stood as tall as he could, facing the Alpha’s scrutiny. “Well?”

“Umm…” Erin cleared his throat, darting his eyes to and fro. “Well, what, sir?”

“Well hurry up and state your business. Who are you, and what do you want?” he asked impatiently.

“Oh!” Erin giggled through the anxiety threatening to swallow him whole. “I’m Erin! Erin Holloway!” Erin reached out to shake the man’s hand, frowning when he didn’t take it. He pulled back quickly in an attempt to dull the awkward motion and smoothed a wayward strand of hair behind his ear. “I’m supposed to meet with Mr. Baker…”

Silence.

“You are Mr. Baker, right?”

“I am.” The pucker in his brow deepened to a crease. “But I have no idea who you are.”

“I’m Erin,” Erin repeated more slowly. “I spoke with Mrs. Alice about coming by today. I’m here about the job post? For the nanny position?”

“Oh yes.” Those steely blue eyes narrowed with a hint of recognition and Mr. Baker looked down at his watch reflexively. “I remember something like that. She told me to expect you at 2:30.”

“Yes, well, I’m a bit early, but you know how fickle the subway can be. You never really know what it’s going to do, and I figured, better early than late." After Erin said it, he caught a glimpse of the condo. Impeccably white walls, and sparkling wood polished floors. The windows were large and unhindered by curtains, allowing natural light to spill into every corner of the living room. It was a two story condo. In New York City. He could see the stairs leading up to what he assumed were rooms and peering further up, he could see a balcony landing that overlooked the entire living area. It dawned on Erin that Mr. Baker was a pilot, and clearly a rich one. Therefore, the chances of him riding public transport were slim to none.

"Plus," he said, attempting to recover himself. "I was just so excited to meet you guys, that I couldn't wait!” He began to giggle again but swallowed down his laugh when Mr. Baker just stared blankly.

“I uhh.. brought flowers.” Erin thrust the flower pot toward him, desperate to fill the dead silence. “Carnations and tulips to commemorate our first meeting!”

“Oh, how pretty!” Annalee chirped and stood on her tiptoes. She craned her head around her father's arm to get a better look.

“And the flower pot is yellow,” he added, winking at Annalee.

“That’s his favorite color, Papa!”

“You remembered!” Erin laughed.

“Of course I did,” she said matter-of-factly, “you just told me, silly.”

“You’re absolutely right, Ms. Annalee. I’m such a silly goose!”

“Ahem.” Mr. Baker cleared his throat, pressing Erin with the same wary look his daughter had given him when she’d first opened the door. Annalee sobered immediately, and the smile vanished from her face.

“Annalee." The man spoke to her with clear authority. More like a general to his troop, than a father to his precious little girl.

“Yes, Papa?”

“Go play in your room. I’ll call you shortly for lunch.”

“Okay, Papa.” Annalee ducked under her father’s arm and waved goodbye to Erin. “It was very nice meeting you, Mr. Erin!”

“You too, Annalee!” It only took a few seconds for the girl to disappear up the stairs, but they were the longest seconds of Erin’s life. Mr. Baker’s eyes drilled into him, causing Erin to shift nervously on his feet. It was as if his spine was physically twisting under the other's glare.

And why is he glaring at me?

Erin got the strange impression Mr. Baker didn’t like him, which was particularly odd because usually, everyone loved him.

“I heard you tell Annalee it was lunchtime,” Erin offered when Mr. Baker still did not speak. “If you want me to come back afterward I can—”

“That won’t be necessary,” Mr. Baker interjected without preamble. He stepped aside, as rigid as a soldier on marching orders and gestured for Erin to enter. It wasn’t exactly welcoming, but Erin could tell he was trying to be polite.

Well…

Erin took a deep breath as he followed Mr. Baker inside the condo.
Here goes nothing.