MY. BEST. FRIENDS.

I should’ve known. What were they thinking? Applying for jobs on my behalf? For nanny jobs, no less.

I whip out my phone and text them in our group chat.

Sistas 4 Lyfe

Me: Seriously! A freaking nanny! I’m a teacher. Not a nanny!

Serena: Girl, if you don’t shut up and watch those kids for $150k!

Kiera: Honey, you gotta take what you can get and that money is three times your old salary.

Izzy: You’re welcome and goodbye!

Ugh. They’re right, but still. I want my career back, not a random nannying gig.

With an exaggerated sigh, I start typing out a polite but firm “No, thank you” email. But before I can hit send, my phone buzzes, an unknown number flashing across the screen. Normally, I’d send it straight to voicemail, but given the circumstances i.e., I need a job, I finally answer.

“This is Kerry Kind speaking,” I say, summoning my best chipper, professional voice.

“Ms. Kind! I’m so glad you answered,” a cheerful voice replies. “I tried calling a few times this morning, but there was just a… purr over the phone.”

I frown, confused. “Purr?”

Then it hits me.

“Oh! Purr! Dang it, Tum Tum!” I yell, glaring at my cat, who’s perched smugly on the windowsill. He blinks at me with lazy indifference as if to say, ‘you’re welcome.’

“Ms. Kind? Is everything okay?” the caller asks, their tone polite but curious.

“Oh! Yes, sorry!” I stammer, flustered. “My four-legged roommate must’ve answered earlier. Who am I speaking with?”

The woman on the other end chuckles, her voice smooth and warm. “My name is Victoria, but everyone calls me Vicky. I emailed you this morning…about the interview.”

Oh. That interview.

“Yeah, about that—” I begin, ready to politely decline.

But Vicky cuts me off, her tone shifting to something more persuasive. “My team conducted an extensive background check on you, and I’m thoroughly impressed, Ms. Kind. Your close ties to the community, vibrant attitude, and passion for teaching are exactly what this family needs.”

I freeze, caught between surprise and mild panic. Background check? If they dug into my past, there’s no way I’d be considered for this job.

I blurt out, half-joking, “Are you sure you ran that background check on the right person?”

“Well, there aren’t many Kerry Kind’s from Beverly Mills, Georgia, so yes,” she replies smoothly. “This is a great opportunity. Who knows? With my client’s connections and wealth, you might be able to work in the school system again, maybe administration, or even run your own school one day. That’s your ultimate goal, right? At least, that’s what you put on your application.”

My application.