Nerdy (Unexpected Lovers, #2) - J.B. Heller Page 0,10
exactly I care for. I’m a grown-ass man who spends his days with a baby and a mini diva. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed of what I do. Helping raise these girls is one of the most important jobs in the world, in my opinion. But I know not everyone sees it that way, and that’s plaguing me right now.
I fidget with a loose thread on the hem of my shirt as her possible reactions run through my mind.
“Sit still!” Ever chastises me, and I roll my eyes.
We’re playing beauty shop, and she’s doing my hair as I sit on the floor in front of the couch. Hazel is holding onto my fingers as she stands between my bent knees. She’ll be walking on her own soon, and I am not looking forward to it.
The doorbell rings, and both the girls’ heads swivel toward the sound. Ever is off the couch and running before I even have a chance to get to my feet. By the time I reach the front door, Ever has already let Emory inside.
“Ever, what have I told you about answering the door?” I say firmly, frowning down at her.
She shrugs as though she has no idea what I’m talking about. I arch a brow, and she sighs, “I not aspose to open the door.”
“Exactly,” I say, shaking my head.
“But you telled me your friend was coming to bisit us,” she rebuts.
Little smartass. I shift my focus to a stunned Emory. “Hi,” I say, smiling.
Her blue eyes go from me, to Hazel in my arms, then down to Ever, and back to me. She blinks several times then says, “I didn’t know you had kids.”
I clear my throat and gesture along the hallway with my free hand. “Come in. Do you want a coffee or anything?”
She frowns and shakes her head. “No, I’m fine.”
Emory silently follows me to the living room. “Have a seat,” I tell her, and she does, eyeing me cautiously.
I go to sit beside her on the couch, but Ever climbs into my spot and points to the floor. “I’m not done. Your hair isn’t pwetty yet.” Then, she turns her attention to Emory, her eyes fixating on all that wavy red hair of hers. She reaches out and strokes it.
Clearing my throat, I make the introductions I now realize I should have made at the front door. “Ever, this is my friend, Emory. Emory, these are my nieces, Everly and Hazel.”
Relief washes over Emory’s face as I correct her assumption that the girls are mine. Then she smiles. “Hi,” she says to Ever, who is still stroking her hair.
Resuming my position on the floor, I place Hazel down, and she crawls over to her blocks while Everly goes back to fiddling with my hair.
I can feel Emory’s gaze on me even though I can’t see her. “So, you’re probably wondering about that favor.”
“Among other things,” she replies, and I can hear the amusement in her voice.
“Okay, we can discuss the favor later. What else do you want to know?”
She’s silent for a beat, then she moves from the couch and sits on the edge of the coffee table in front of me. My eyes track over her, taking her in properly. Her hair is wild and free. There’s not a speck of makeup on her pretty face, and today’s hoodie says If my mouth doesn’t say it, my face will.
“First question: what exactly is your day job?” she eventually asks.
Ever bumps my glasses, so I straighten them then tell Emory the truth. “I take care of my nieces full-time. This is my day job,” I say, lifting my hands and gesturing around the room.
Emory nods, a thoughtful expression coming over her face. “You don’t want the specifics of your current employment to be mentioned on the blog, I’m assuming.”
“Yeah,” I say. “This is my private life; that is my professional life. I’d like to keep the two separate.”
“Noted,” she says, licking her lips, then her gaze narrows. “And your ex didn’t like that this is your job?”
I nod, and her face contorts. “What a bitch,” she says then slaps her palm over her mouth, her big blue eyes bouncing straight to Ever then back to me. “Shit, I’m so sorry,” she murmurs then cringes. “Oh god, I don’t know how to be around children. I’m sorry. I should go.”
Before I can say anything to stop her, Ever screeches, “Lice! He’s dot lice!”
The little girl perched behind Sebastian jumps to her feet on