Never Say Never

new nanny. Jessica will show you around so you can acquaint yourself with the layout here. Come back here when you’re done, if you like.”
“Can I go too?” Jaime asked his mother, still hanging onto Emily’s legs.
“Of course you can, sweetheart.”
Jaime reached for Emily’s hand.
“Behave yourself,” Camila called after them, but Jaime had already shifted his attention.
“I’ve never seen him this animated,” Jessica said to Emily. “He really likes you.”
“Well, that’s good because I really like him too.”
Jessica led the way around the floor, pointing out her desk on the other side of the hall from Camila’s office. She showed her the nearest bathroom, and then took her to the breakroom, which was empty at this time in the afternoon, despite the number of people still working.
“Coffee?” Jessica asked. Emily nodded, noting where the mugs were kept.
“Am I right in thinking you’re the reason I got this job?” Emily asked, keeping an eye on Jaime as he explored the room. “’Cause I get the feeling that if Camila had arranged the interviews herself, I wouldn’t have been on the list.”
“Guilty,” Jessica admitted, leaning against the counter, and Emily decided then and there that she liked her. “I may have orchestrated things to give you a shot.”
“Why?”
“You’re different from the people she usually hires.” Jessica turned away to pour the coffee, then brought the mugs to the large table in the center of the room. “I thought you’d be good for her—and him.” She nodded at Jaime, who scurried back to Emily when someone new entered the room. “I wanted her to give you a chance.”
“Oh.” Emily paused to process that information. “Well, thanks.”
“Emily.” Jaime tugged at her jeans. “We play now?”
“Sure, kiddo. Let’s go.” She nodded at Jessica, picked up her mug, then took Jaime’s hand and let him pull her out the door.
“Are you sure we’re okay to be in here?” Emily asked when they reached Camila’s office. “I don’t want to distract you.”
“It’s fine.” Camila waved a hand. “I’m used to blocking things out when I need to. Or you can go out onto the balcony if you like. Jaime likes the view.” From what Emily could see, the view was incredible.
Jaime had already gathered some toys, so Emily decided to stay in the office for the time being. She sat on the floor next to him instead of on one of the couches—she was terrified she might dirty it—and set her coffee on the nearby coffee table.
Jaime was in a superhero mood, and he made Batman save the day over and over. Emily settled for Wonder Woman, and the time flew by.
After an hour or so, Jaime started to yawn. Soon his eyes were drooping until he was almost asleep on Emily’s knee.
“He didn’t sleep too well last night,” Camila explained, her voice soft. Emily glanced up to see her watching them, her glasses perched on her nose. “Sometimes he has nightmares.”
“And now he’s worn himself out.” Emily smiled down at him and ran a gentle hand through his hair. “I think you’d be more comfortable on the couch.” She settled him carefully onto the couch and draped a blanket over him, then turned to tidy up the toys strewn around the room.
“You don’t have to do that,” Camila said.
Emily shrugged. “I don’t mind. It’s not like I’m doing anything else.” Her task finished, she settled on the arm of the couch. “So, uh, what are you working on? If I’m allowed to ask.”
Camila leaned back in her chair. “I’m looking over budget reports.”
Emily made a face. “Sounds thrilling.”
“Such is the life of a CEO. Not as glamorous as you think.”
“Do you ever regret it?” Emily asked. “Do you wish you’d just stayed a producer?”
Camila considered. “Yes and no. I don’t regret building up this network—it’s the second best thing I ever created.” Jaime was clearly the first. “And I’m proud of what I’ve achieved here. But…sometimes in the middle of a board meeting, or when my eyes are bleeding from looking over financial statements, or when employees suddenly don’t know what they’re doing and I have to do their jobs on top of everything else when all I really want to do is go home and be with my son, then yes, I almost wish I’d never created CEBC in the first place. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
“What you’ve done here is incredible.” Emily struggled to keep the admiration out of her voice.
“You have the job, Emily,” Camila said, smiling slightly. “You don’t have to suck up to me.”
“I’m not,” Emily insisted, shaking her head. “I mean it. You’re an inspiration.”
Camila’s smile disappeared, and Emily flushed, worried she had said too much.
“I…I mean to a lot of people. Not just me.”
“Yes, well, thank you.” Camila cleared her throat. “I should probably get back to work.”
“Right, of course.” She gestured to the balcony door. “May I?” Camila nodded.
The day was bright, the sky clear, and the air warm. Emily curled her hands around the railing of the balcony and peered over the edge, looking at the ground below and then at the city stretched out in front of her. The view left her breathless.
Camila must feel like a queen surveying her empire when she when she stands out here, Emily thought.
She settled herself into one of the two patio chairs, then reached into her bag to pull out a sketch pad and a pencil. She liked to sketch in quiet moments.
She started by drawing the city skyline and was just starting to fill in some details when the door opened. Camila stepped through leading a sleepy Jaime.
“I brought you a present.” Camila let go of her son’s hand, and Jaime padded over to Emily. She helped him up onto the chair beside her.
“Pretty,” he mumbled, pointing at her sketch pad.
“You want to see some more?” she asked him. When he nodded, she flipped through her sketch pad, hyperaware of Camila behind her.
“You’re very talented,” Camila said after Emily had gone through them all. Her