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I push a hand through my hair and flop down next to Shayna on the couch. “Last year… probably six months ago, I had a one-night stand with a woman who wouldn’t give me her name or any detail about herself. That same woman just showed up to be Theo’s live-in nanny.”
My dad’s lips press together. “That’s unfortunate.”
“Or fortunate,” Lee says, positioning himself to face me. Shayna does the same. “Brady’s been going on about this girl for months, wondering how he might be able to track her down and see her again.”
I glance at my dad and see he has a single eyebrow raised. “And she’s a gymnast as well as a nanny?”
I glare at Lee. He snickers. I tell my dad, “No, that’s just an… inside joke.”
I’d referred to Violet as a gymnast in humor because she was so damn flexible that night.
My dad nods knowingly but is kind enough not to press the issue. “Are you still attracted to her?”
My hands fist in my lap. I bite my lip and nod.
“Why don’t you just hire another nanny?” Shayna asks. “Then you can pursue the gymnast.” She cringes when she says the word gymnast, probably assuming I’m one of those guys who tells all about my conquests.
I shake my head. “Hannah’s leaving in days. I can’t tell her we need to find a new nanny because I slept with the one she hired.” Jesus, the coincidence. You’d think I’ve nailed every woman in the Bay Area for something like this to happen.
“Why not?” Shayna asks.
My shoulders sag. “Because she’d deny the opportunity for her career and I can’t do that to her after she’s moved twice for my career. This is supposed to be her time and I cannot be the one to take that away from her. I’m just gonna have to deal with blue balls for a few months.”
“Sounds like something to look forward to.” Lee smirks.
I flip him off.
“Have you and the… gym—nanny discussed what happened and how you’ll need to set aside any possibility of repeating the nature of your relationship until after the job is complete?” my dad asks in his most professional manner.
“No, I gave her a tour and bolted out of there. Hannah’s there with Theo.” I glance at my dad’s clock on the wall.
“Well, that’s a conversation you need to have, Brady. If there’s one thing I’ve learned after being married to your mother all these years, it’s that it’s best to confront these things head-on. They can be uncomfortable for everyone involved, but in the end, it’s less complicated and better that way.”
I chuckle. “That’s because Mom has no filter.”
He grins. “You’re not wrong there.”
I sigh and sink deeper into the cushions. “I know you’re right.” I groan. “I’ll do it tonight after Theo and Hannah leave for her place.”
He nods and smiles. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
Fine. That’s not exactly the word I would use to describe it.
Agony is more like it. Living for months lusting after the woman in the bedroom across from mine. Living in the same house, sharing space like we’re a pseudo couple.
Yep. Everything will be agonizingly fine.
Five
Violet
I’m in what is supposed to be my bedroom with the door open, sitting on the comfortable chair in the corner, reading the new thriller I bought yesterday. I hear a noise on the main floor. Brady must be home.
Hannah and Theo left for her house fifteen minutes ago. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. I don’t want to unpack my bags because there is a good chance once Brady returns, he’s gonna give me the boot. Wandering around the house by myself didn’t seem fitting, nor could I figure out how to turn on the TV with the fancy sound system anyway, so here I am.
My hand tightens on the book when his footsteps land on the stairs. I still when his footsteps stop on the landing. I hold my breath when his footsteps make their way down the hall.
He appears in my doorway and all the air rushes from my lungs. Good Lord is this man hot. Dressed in cargo shorts and a T-shirt that clings to every one of his muscles, he looks every bit the hot AF playboy he knows he is.
