All Stars Fall (Seaside Pictures #3.5)(18)

He grinned, eying me up and down in that way that made me want to punch him in the face. Cocky bastard. “Ah, so now she’s your nanny?”

“My kids’,” I ground out while he choked on a laugh and started walking toward his waiting Range Rover.

“Tonight’s gonna be fun!” he called, getting in while I flipped him off.

Bad timing on my part since I heard a little voice exclaim, “Why’s Daddy showing his middle finger when he isn’t driving?” I winced. Bella just had to be standing in the doorway with Penny.

Penny pressed her lips together then got down at eye level. “Well, probably because your Uncle Drew was driving.”

“But he didn’t go fast?” she countered.

Penny gave me a helpless look and smiled. “She heard the car pull up. The boys are upstairs fighting over who gets to wear Captain America, so good luck with that one.”

I groaned and then lifted Bella into my arms once I reached the front door. Penelope’s smile widened as she held the door open.

Everything was spotless.

I put Bella back on her feet and gaped. “How?”

“Soap,” Penelope said with a smug grin.

“Smart ass,” I said under my breath.

Bella giggled and looked up between us. “That’s what Daddy calls Eric when he’s in trouble. Are you in trouble, Penny?”

For some reason the question had me ready to launch a list of ways I could punish Penelope, ways I’d enjoy.

And I was astounded at how graphic my imagination got with my own daughter standing mere feet from me looking up at her new nanny like she owned a Barbie factory and worked at FAO Schwartz for the sole purpose of getting Bella new toys.

“No, sweetie.” Penelope leaned down and kissed her head. “Hey, is it actually okay if I meet you guys there?”

Something in my chest deflated. Was I really that excited to take her to a barbecue?

“Um…” I scratched my head and forced a smile. “Yeah, I mean it starts in an hour so…”

“I can get ready fast.” And then she leaned in and whispered in my ear, her lips so close to my skin I had trouble breathing. What the hell was wrong with me? “I smell like the wet dog your lovely children tried to rescue out back.”

“Dog? We got a dog?”

“It was a small feral squirrel. It stepped in mud, then slipped on trash. I followed after it, and yeah, never mind. Point is, I should shower.” She pulled away, our eyes locked.

And yet again, more visions of her peeling her shirt over her perfectly sculpted body, discovering what was underneath that hoodie seemed to be the only thing my worthless brain could focus on.

Water dripping down her skin.

She gulped and looked down while I wondered if Bella would notice if I touched the nanny.

Touched her?

Seriously?

Talk about crossing a line.

I took a step back, gathered my thoughts, and then nodded. “Yeah, that would be…a great idea.”

“Told ya, I smell.” She shrugged, her smile a bit wobbly, and then she was grabbing her purse and heading for the door.

I followed after her, not really sure why. It wasn’t like it was dark yet and I was worried about her driving alone.

Maybe I just wanted to watch her.

Maybe I just wanted to have a few more seconds in her company.

Maybe I was losing my damn mind.





Chapter Nine



Penelope




“What the heck do I wear?” I wasn’t panicking, not yet. I knew almost everyone except the members of Adrenaline.

Uncle Drew.

He’d been gorgeous.

And then there was Trevor, sexy-as-hell Trevor with his three kids and need to move on.

I’d completely planned on wearing what I’d had on, but after the squirrel incident, I wanted to at least make an effort.

And the way that Drew looked at me, well, quite honestly, it almost stung. I wanted Trevor to look at me that way, and then I mentally slapped myself and realized it wasn’t about me.

It was about his kids.

I was an employee.

But that didn’t mean I couldn’t at least attempt something other than a hoodie.

Dani yawned. “I don’t know, clothes?”

“Did you just yawn your answer?” I narrowed my eyes even though she wasn’t there. “I have twenty minutes.”

“And why are you suddenly so…concerned?” Her voice was way too amused, way too…knowing. Damn her.

“I’m ninety-nine percent sure I have some amount of squirrel feces on my person, that’s why.”

“I call false.”

“Dani.” I huffed and sat on my bed. “Help!”

“Who are we trying to impress?” At least this time she sounded more serious, more willing to help me do whatever the heck I was doing. Which was clothing myself and trying to appear like I had a steady job and knew how to take showers and use a razor.

“Humans. Let’s just leave it at humans. And not the ones of the tiny variety with chocolate on their hands and love in their hearts.” I smiled to myself. “Though I do love those kind too.”

She was quiet and then. “You’ll be a great mom one day.”