the call is over and I let out a squeal of delight. This is really happening. Finally, a job doing what I love — caring for a little one. And Beckett was so easy to talk to… We laughed for nearly an hour, which is saying something. I never date — never have — because I get so anxious with guys. Never know what they are expecting… and always self-conscious of my curves.
Not that Beckett and I are going on a date. God no — I’m hired as his daughter’s nanny. That’s it. But if I were to ever date someone… I’d want it to be someone I could talk to as easily as I could talk to Beckett.
My stomach growls and I get out of the chair, excited to tell Mirabella about this new job. She’s the one who encouraged me to sign up with the nanny agency in the first place.
Before I leave the house, I glance in the bathroom mirror and see pink lipstick on my front teeth. Groaning, I wipe it off, realizing that it must have been there during the entire conversation with Beckett. What must he have thought?
I push any negative thoughts away — because he chose to hire me, lipstick smear and all. And tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. I just have no idea what the man I am working for looks like.
Chapter Three
Beckett
The video call ends and my cock twitches. Which is utterly inappropriate — I know that. But damn, Brittany is adorable. Her red hair, bright blue eyes, a smile that lit up my room. Annie is unhappy with the fact Brittany is no longer on the screen — she was babbling through the entire conversation, more lively than I ever see her. It instantly eased my worry about a stranger taking care of the most precious thing in the world. I lay Annie on the play mat on the carpeted floor, and she grabs for the red plastic rings overhead, kicking her feet happily.
The fact Brittany has been working for Grady gives me a good feeling too — he only hires the best. Still, I decide to text him and confirm that.
Me: Tell me about Brittany, she seems level-headed?
Grady: You mean the Brittany who was employee of the month, who was never late, ever, who just called thirty seconds ago giving her notice?
I grimace, realizing my gain is his loss.
Me: Yeah, that’s the one.
Grady: Says she is working for you — is that right?
Me: Afraid so. Are you pissed?
Grady: Nah. I know you need a reliable nanny. And she is a gem. Still — get ready for me to kick your ass tomorrow at the gym.
Me: You wish. Thanks for understanding.
Grady: Anytime. Hey, Georgie wants you to know she is dropping off some more frozen meals tonight.
Me: Thanks man.
Grady’s wife Georgina set up a phone tree for frozen meals last month. Once she learned all I was going through, she jumped into action to help me and Annie out. She was mad at the guys at the gym for not realizing my situation earlier. But it wasn’t their fault. I kept it to myself. They knew I had a baby. But I didn’t share the details. That’s not the kind of man I am. I have always been a private person. Loyal to a fault, and when I make a decision about something, I go all in. I think that’s why Tara and Jack made me the guardian of their daughter.
I put the phone in my pocket before getting down on the floor with Annie. Grady certainly gave Brittany a good recommendation, and I’m grateful for it — but I could tell she was a keeper the moment her sweet, gentle voice entered the call. I can’t wait to meet her face to face.
It’s ridiculous — thinking about Brittany in any terms that are not related to the position she is being hired for… but it’s impossible to get her out of my mind. All night, I think about her and the fact that tomorrow, she will be sleeping under my roof. As I try to fall asleep, I think about how she’s the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen — her big smile, the endearing pink lipstick on her teeth — how she curled up in her comfy chair and chatted, laughing with me for over an hour. It was the most relaxing hour I’ve had in months.
I look over at the crib in