The Single Dad (The Dalton Family #3)(38)

“You’re such a dick.”

“It’s true,” Dominick said.

“It is,” Jenner agreed.

“I didn’t come in here to talk about the problems you think I have.” I swallowed the rest of the scotch and filled my glass again. “I came in because, damn it, she’d make the perfect nanny and I don’t know what the hell to do.”

“You hire her,” both of them said.

I ran my hand over the top of my hair, digging in to tug at the roots. “Just like that? Ignoring the fact that we’ve been together? And I have her move into my house, like I’m not going to picture her naked every time I see her bent over?”

Dominick smiled, recrossing his legs. “Can you stop yourself from sticking it in when she’s in that position?”

My head dropped as I tried to get that perfect image out of my mind. “No.” I glanced up. “Yes.” I took a long, deep inhale. “I’m asking for fucking trouble, aren’t I?”

Silence ticked between us until Jenner rested his arms on his desk and said, “Kids are her passion, obviously. She has experience. She’s going to be a teacher. Hell, there isn’t anyone better suited than that. And if I remember correctly, you said Everly really liked her when they met.”

“She did.”

“Then, what’s the problem?” Jenner said. “Because you always put Eve first, you’ll keep your dick in your pants. You’ll have the perfect nanny for your daughter. Life will be all good.”

Me.

I’m the goddamn problem.

There was something about this girl that I couldn’t get enough of. That I wanted more of. That was different than the dates I’d gone on in the past.

But every time I started talking to a woman, things would fizzle out when I couldn’t give her more of myself.

I was sure this would be no different.

That, somehow, I would fuck shit up between us.

It was better that things had ended before they even began.

“Maybe you’re right,” I said. “Maybe there is no problem.”

Dominick’s hand went to my back, patting just below my shoulder. “There’s no law that says she has to move in right away. See how things go for a few weeks. Make sure you don’t have to take ten cold showers a day. Then, make the transition.”

I nodded. “I can do that.”

But could I?

Goddamn it, yes. Of course I could.

Jenner held out his glass in front of me. “Congratulations, brother. You’ve finally got yourself a nanny. Now, we can drag your ass out whenever we want.”

“Hardly.” I laughed as I clinked glasses with him and then Dominick. “She’s going to relieve Hannah’s duties, not mine. Nothing’s going to change with my availability.”

“That’s right; he’s going to stay home, but now, he’ll be cuddling with Sydney,” Dominick teased.

“Such a dickhead,” I groaned.

“I’ve got a question for you,” Jenner said, pausing. “When you last saw her and went back to her place, did you schedule another date with her?”

The morning following my meetup with Sydney, I’d texted my brothers, telling them how it had gone since one of them had asked.

I was wondering if my honesty had been a mistake.

“We didn’t set a date, but I was definitely going to see her again.”

Jenner looked at Dominick and then back at me. “Now, I know why you’re sucking down that scotch like it’s water.”

“Right … fuck me,” I sighed.

“My advice,” Jenner said, “skip the glass and just start drinking from the fucking bottle.”





Me: I’d like you to come over and hang with Everly for a bit. I want to see how she interacts with you under normal, expected circumstances. I know this is last minute, but are you available tonight?

Sydney: Hi! Yes, I can make it tonight. What time?

Me: Would 6 work?

Sydney: That works. Usually, I lesson-plan, carving out time for learning, fun, outdoor activity, and exercise. With me, it’s not all play time. Would it be okay if I planned something for Everly and me to do? I realize it’ll be dinnertime, followed by a bath and reading her a story in bed. I promise I’ll account for all of that.





I stared at her text, blown away by what I was seeing, and it wasn’t because there was a hell of a lot of scotch flowing through my veins.

Granted, I’d never had a nanny before, but I was positive Hannah did none of those things. Her time with my daughter was all about fun. But that was what Hannah was there for.

This—Sydney—was different.

Me: You can do whatever you want. My plan is to sit back and observe you two together.

Sydney: Perfect. Thank you. See you tonight.





There was no question that Eve was going to immediately connect with Sydney. My daughter wasn’t shy. She didn’t lack for personality. She found a way to charm everyone she encountered. And the moment Sydney walked into my house, surprising Everly, I saw my little one in action.

She flew off the couch, running straight toward Sydney. “Syd!” She hugged Sydney’s waist. “You came back!” She glanced up at her, smiling. “And you brought presents!”