didn’t.
I didn’t.
He’s good for Kaylee, or he will be.
Minus a few industry people and those closest to me, no one knows the truth about me. I’ve pretended to be straight for this long; I can keep it up in Lyric’s presence.
“You really don’t date?” Lyric asks.
“I couldn’t imagine dating again. I haven’t since … basically when Kaylee was born.”
Lyric’s eyes widen.
I laugh. “That look on your face says it all. I don’t have time to date and no one to look after Kaylee if I did.”
“You have me now.”
That idea excites me until I realize he’s talking about looking after Kaylee while I go out on a date. With someone who isn’t him.
“I really can’t see myself sitting across from someone at a restaurant and doing the whole ‘getting to know you’ thing. Not to mention the press would have a field day. I’m trying to disappear from the spotlight here.”
“Can I ask about …” Lyric hesitates.
I know what he’s going to say because it’s what everyone wants to know. “Kaylee’s mom?”
“It’s okay if you don’t want to get into it. It’s just no one really knows much about her.”
“Her request.” I know he wants more, but I don’t know if I can give it.
The truth of what Maggie and I had is a little sad and somewhat bitter, but we got Kaylee out of it.
“We were childhood friends.”
“How did you end up with sole custody?” His phone chimes again, and this time it’s a regular message tone. “Oh. Brenna’s outside the gate.”
“Story for another time, then.” Or never. I’m good with never too.
Lyric stands. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He’s halfway out the door when he turns at the last second. “Oh, and there’s leftover spaghetti with a million different vegetables hidden in the sauce if you’re hungry. Kaylee ate it without complaint.”
Lyric leaves with a cocky smile and a huge chunk of my respect.
Chapter Six
Lyric
I think I’m impressing Ryder with my awesome ability to hide vegetables in Kaylee’s food. All week, she’s eaten whatever I’ve made her without even a hint of hesitation.
If she were ever to figure it out, all trust between us would be shot, so I have to hope she’s like Chase and remains oblivious.
Because I like working for Ryder and Kaylee.
It’s only been a week, but we’ve eased into a routine without too many hiccups.
The only big issue was a superfan who recognized Kaylee at one of the playgroups. We left early and haven’t been back.
The group I ended up choosing is a mixture of low-key nannies with only one or two high-maintenance moms.
So far, it’s been great.
I use my key to let myself into Ryder’s place, and I find both of them in Kaylee’s playroom. Her bright green eyes look up at me, and she puts a finger to her lips. “Shh. Daddy’s sleeping.”
As if on cue, Ryder lets out a little snore.
“Did you wake him up really early?” I whisper.
“No! It was almost light out!”
It’s my turn to put my fingers to my lips and shush her, but it’s too late.
Ryder startles awake, sees me, and groans. “Five more minutes.”
I laugh. “Want me to make you coffee?”
“An IV drip would work better, but that’s not part of your job description.”
“What are best friends for?”
Ryder shakes his head at me with a smile.
“Kaylee, come help me make coffee.”
“I can’t make coffee.” She giggles. “I’m only four.”
“You’re almost five. Five-year-olds can make coffee.”
She screws up her cute little face. “I don’t think they can.”
“I’ll let you pour the milk into the frothing jug.”
That gets her moving. I’ll have her making lattes before she knows it. Ryder can thank me later … or lecture me about child labor laws. One or the other.
Ryder’s face is the definition of grateful as he sits up and I hand over his mug.
“She ended up in my bed last night. Which, of course, doesn’t have your mattress protector trick going on. Murphy’s Law.”
“Aww, I’m sorry you had a rough night. Have you got much planned for today?”
“I was actually hoping to come see Kaylee’s playgroup.”
I must make a face or something because he pauses.
“Not a good idea?”
“I think it would be good for you to see Kaylee interacting with the other kids, but I don’t know the mothers and other nannies well yet. I’m wondering how they’ll react to Ryder Kennedy crashing the class.”
“My guess is they’ll be fine with it. Probably too fine with it.”
“That’s what I mean. It might be a pain in the ass for