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Alex’s eyes widened for a moment, but then he grinned. He spoke to his aunt first, kissing her cheek.
“Have you met Zoe?” Ms. Pam asked, directing her attention to Zoe.
“I have.” He licked his lips. He wouldn’t dare flirt with her in front of his aunt, would he? Zoe opened her mouth to protest, but then Celine squealed in her arms.
Alex held out his arms. Zoe gave him the baby. “Hey, there’s my princess.” He kissed her cheeks and stroked her back. Zoe felt a twinge in her chest, but cleared her throat.
“I see she missed you,” his aunt said.
“I missed her.” He took one of Celine’s small hands and kissed it. Zoe couldn’t figure him out. How could he be so smug but yet show gentleness with a child? Zoe pulled her lips in. It wasn’t her business, and she didn’t care to know.
“This is Celine’s new nanny. I need you to take her to Lisa’s place and show her around. You’re not rehearsing tonight, are you?” his aunt asked.
Alex shook his head. Then his eyes focused on Zoe. “Not tonight.”
“Great,” Ms. Pam said. “I can’t thank you both enough for helping me out. Alex, help me with Celine’s car seat.” Then she reached over for a bag. It had to be Celine’s diaper bag.
Alex handed Celine back to Zoe. “I guess it’s you and me, huh?”
Zoe didn’t answer. She only rested the baby on her hip. Today was not her day.
***
Alex let down his window of his Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, motioning for Zoe to park in Lisa’s driveway. She did, and he backed into his own driveway and cut the engine. He didn’t hesitate to rush over to Zoe’s car, just as she undid Celine’s car seat, who was asleep.
He leaned over and kissed his baby cousin’s forehead. Alex couldn’t believe the news when Lisa moved back to town pregnant with a husband that left her for another woman. He wanted to pound the guy’s face, but he promised Lisa he would help her no matter what. The day Celine was born, the baby girl stole his heart.
“I’ll get the bag if you carry her car seat,” Zoe said.
Alex smiled at her but directed his attention back to Celine. She stirred as he carried her, but she didn’t wake up. “Looks like she’s knocked out.” He dug into his pocket with his free hand for his key, and unlocked Lisa’s door. He turned off her alarm. Zoe trailed in behind him, clutching her purse and Celine’s baby bag.
Alex pointed. “There’s the kitchen. Living room. Celine’s room is the first on the left.” He unclicked Celine’s belt on her car seat and carefully scooped her in his arms. She fidgeted some but relaxed as he massaged her back. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking in her baby smell. Thank goodness she didn’t need a diaper change. His eyes would have watered by the stench, but he loved this baby girl.
“I think I can handle it from here,” Zoe said.
Alex blinked. Then he stared at Zoe. The sun was setting outside, so the beams shone through the curtains. The light radiated off her dark brown hair. Zoe tilted her head to the side. Alex swallowed. He needed to stop staring. Celine whimpered in his arms. “Someone’s hungry?”
Zoe walked to the kitchen and retrieved a bottle. Alex paced the floor, rocking Celine in his arms. He heard the microwave chime and watched as Zoe tested the formula on her wrist. She appeared to approve the temperature. Then she walked over to the couch, joining him in the living room. Alex placed his cousin in her arms. He caught a whiff of Zoe’s sweet perfume. Her own curls looked soft, but he didn’t reach out.
He sat beside Zoe. “I can stay for a bit.”
Zoe cradled Celine. “I’ve done this before so, no thanks.”
“Don’t tell me I make you nervous?” he asked.
She cleared her throat. “No, but I’m on the clock.”
He sighed. “I’m usually here, anyway. Lisa’s... she’s been through a lot. I don’t mind staying, though I’m sure my aunt trusts you since she hired you on the spot.”
“I’ve never been fired and rehired for another job in the same day,” Zoe said.
Alex chuckled. “She didn’t?”
“She did. I didn’t know what to say, but when she offered, I couldn’t resist.”
“How long have you been a nanny?” Alex then reached over and grazed Celine’s hand. His baby cousin wrapped a hand around his finger. His heart melted.
Zoe didn’t make eye contact with him. “Not long, but I’ve always loved kids, so it comes naturally to me.” Celine pulled away from the bottle, and Zoe sat her up to burp her. Alex smiled. He’d burped his baby cousin plenty of times. Two of his favorite shirts ruined because of her spit up.
