Harper’s gaze strayed to Deke’s. “I’d love that. In fact, your uncle just offered me a job as your nanny this summer. Would you like that?”
“What’s a nanny?” Drew asked.
Deke smiled. “A babysitter. Like Mrs. Reynolds. Only Harper would stay with you during the day, while I’m at the shop. Would you like that?”
“Yeah!” He dropped his teddy bear on the couch and pumped his fist in the air. “Then we could bake cookies every day! And go to the park and the zoo and…” He looked at Harper, tipping his head. “You like to read story books?”
“I love to read.” She smiled as she rested her chin in her palm. “I’m a teacher and story time is my very favorite part of my job.”
“For real?”
“For real,” Harper said, nodding emphatically. “What’s your favorite book, Drew?”
“Will you read it to me?”
“Uh buddy, Harper’s probably tired,” Deke said, trying to save her from the bedtime ritual. He knew one book always led to four. “Maybe some other time.”
“Nonsense,” Harper said, waving Deke off. “I’d love to.” She stood, reaching for Drew’s hand. “I’ll tuck you in and read you that story while Uncle Deke gets you a glass of water. Deal?”
Looking satisfied, Drew slipped his hand into hers and nodded emphatically. “That’s a deal.”
Damn. Just a few hours in this woman’s company and Deke was already going down for the count.
Chapter Four
Harper knew as soon as she laid eyes on that little boy she didn’t stand a chance. She was a sucker for kids of all ages, but there was something about this age that really made her melt.
“That was impressive.” Deke was leaning in the doorway, arms crossed, watching them. “Only one book. Usually takes three or four for me to get him to the lights out stage.”
She smiled as she stood, reaching for Drew’s lamp. She turned it on the lowest setting in case he needed to get up during the night. “That means I’m either really boring or highly skilled.”
Tongue in cheek, he said, “My vote’s for the latter.”
“You better say that if you still want a nanny.”
She poked him in the stomach as she walked past. Damn. The man’s stomach was rock hard. And if she let her gaze drift a little lower she suspected that wouldn’t be the only thing that was hard. He’d been watching her all night like he wanted to devour her and she couldn’t claim she wasn’t tempted to let him. Which made his proposal dangerous, stupid, and… irresistible.
“Does that mean you’re accepting my job offer?”
She did need the money and Drew was an adorable kid. She had no doubt they’d have fun together over the next couple of months. But an apartment in Deke’s building? That was risky.
“Maybe.”
She walked towards his spacious kitchen, wondering if all the apartments looked like his or if he’d taken the largest unit, or perhaps combined two to make one oversized unit. It looked recently renovated, with scraped hardwood floors, custom cabinetry, oversized moulding, and high ceilings.
“This place is beautiful, by the way. Not at all what I expected.” She ran a hand over the smooth quartz breakfast bar that ran the length of the kitchen. “I can’t imagine all of the apartments look like this.”
He shrugged. “Everyone adds their own personal touch, but there are certain features I like, so all of the apartments have them. Stainless, quartz, hardwood, upgraded bathrooms. If you want me to show the apartment you’d be staying in, I’d be happy to.” He pointed to a door that looked like an exterior door. “It’s right through there.”
Her eyes widened. “You mean you can walk through that door into my apartment?” Not that it was her apartment. Yet.
He pinched his lips together, looking amused. “Uh yeah, didn’t I mention that?”
“No, you didn’t. How does that work? I mean, are all of the units like that?”
“No.” He swiped a hand over his mouth. “I was planning to expand my place, add a couple more bedrooms and an office, but decided I didn’t need the extra space after all, so I just made it into a one bedroom. It’s not that big, but it’s perfect for one person.”
It had to be larger than the shoebox she and her bestie were sharing. “Ok, I’d love to see it. Thanks.”
