Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(20)

I dropped my head and laughed quietly into my shoulder. Nathan smiled.

“I’ll be right here. Come on,” I encouraged, stepping beside the rocking chair. “Sit down. I’ll pass her to you.”

Hands gripping his hips, he stared at me for another breath before he finally caved and stepped forward, mumbling incoherent words of protest.

“Fine. You want to see a kid freak out in two seconds?” Nathan took a seat in the chair and gathered Marley against his chest when I bent down and handed her over. He froze stiff when she stirred, then glared up at me with an unmistakable I told you so expression.

“Rock her,” I suggested. “And rub her back. She likes that.”

Keeping his eyes on me, Nathan pitched forward slowly, gaining momentum. His back remained rigid against the wood.

I whispered in his ear, “They can sense fear. Relax.”

“How am I supposed to relax? Look at her.”

On cue, Marley squirmed and stretched her legs like she wanted to stand. She was waking up.

I put my hand on top of Nathan’s and coaxed him to rub her back. My other hand gripped the chair and rocked it.

“You’re too nervous right now. If you calm down, she’ll calm down.”

Nathan cursed under his breath. He dropped his head back against the wood and forced his breaths to slow, an action that required a lot of effort, I could tell. We rocked together. My hand remained on top of his, moving us in gentle circles. When Marley cooed and snuggled closer, his gaze snapped to mine.

I grinned and whispered, “See?” I stepped back. “Keep going.”

Nathan stared at the top of Marley’s head as he rocked her. It was as if he was witnessing something he’d never seen before. I watched them from the doorway as minutes passed.

I knew she was asleep now. And I wasn’t sure if Nathan had any intention of putting Marley in her crib anytime soon, but I wasn’t going to suggest it. They were both more than content where they were.

And God, it was such a beautiful moment.

“I’m going to go,” I said quietly.

Honestly, I could’ve kept watching them, they were so sweet together, but it was getting really late. If Olivia wasn’t already passed out on the couch, I was sure she was close to it.

Nathan looked over at me and nodded. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I turned and moved out into the hallway.

“Hey, Jenna?”

When I filled the doorway again, he spoke.

“Tell Olivia…Monopoly only and I’m cutthroat at it, yes to the campfires, and what kind of a monster doesn’t like s’mores?”

I smiled so big my cheeks hurt.

He smiled back, and then he offered a quiet, “Good night,” before he put his attention on the little girl in his arms.





Chapter Six





NATHAN




Seated at my desk, I glared at the weekly food order I needed to review while attempting to ignore lyrics to a song I swore was playing on repeat today. Jesus Christ, this had to have been the twentieth time I’d heard it. Did this station have it out for me or something? What the fuck was going on?

Not that I hated this song. It was all right. And to be honest, up until very, very recently, it wouldn’t have bothered me hearing it this much. I would’ve been able to block it out. I never paid much attention to the music while I was here. I was too busy. But today? Today I was having major difficulty keeping my focus. Fuck this song “Closer” and whoever the hell was singing it. This dipshit wasn’t doing me any favors. I didn’t need any reminders about shoulder tattoos.

Recently I had become very aware of them.

I adjusted my glasses and kept reading. I was almost ready to sign off on this. Then I could send over the order and move on to something else. When I was halfway down the page, marking a reminder to myself, the chorus started playing again.

My pencil hit the desk. I closed my eyes and groaned, fingers digging into my temples. I was contemplating tearing the speaker off the wall and cutting the wires when my office door swung open.

Tori rushed inside, face contorted in rage. She pushed the door closed behind her, then stormed forward, looking ready to tear my head off.

“Seriously, Nate? You didn’t even think to consider me? What the hell?” She stopped on the other side of the desk, stuck her hands on her hips, and glared. “I’m offended.”

I kept rubbing my temples. “Care to fill me in?” I asked dryly, glancing up at her. “I’m not really in the mood to guess what you’re talking about.”

“The assistant manager position. I saw the ad.”

“And?”

Her mouth dropped open. I watched her attitude slip away as her hands fell from her hips.

Either she was remembering the authority I had to fire her for talking to me the way she was doing or she was rethinking this approach altogether on her own. I wasn’t sure which. But Tori’s next words to me came without a trace of boldness.

“I want the job. I think I’d be perfect for it.”

I leaned back in my seat, caught my head in my hand, and regarded her.

I didn’t have a problem being perfectly honest with Tori right now. She helped me out a lot, doing extra work like managing schedules and securing coverage when it was needed. Tori wasn’t just my top waitress. Her duties went beyond that, and we both knew it. I relied on her. I also knew how qualified she was, and the fact that I hadn’t considered her for the position was solely my error.