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She ran into the room with each new outfit, waiting for me to tell her how beautiful she looked. When she left yet again, I said, “She’s amazing. At first, I thought it was just my niece that made me feel that way. But now I’m wondering if it’s all kids. They’re so fun and imaginative.”
Sam shook his head. “I feel that way about my daughter, but no one else’s kids. Maybe you should plan a career as a teacher or something where you’re around kids all the time.”
I laughed, a little uncomfortable with where this conversation had gone. “I’m happy doing this.”
I chewed on my lip. I could watch kids during the day and take classes in the evening. It was doable. The only problem was the cost and the fact that my grades in high school weren’t good. It wasn’t something I’d cared about back then. I never thought I’d go to college.
Besides, college was for someone different from me. Someone smart, motivated, and career minded. All I’d ever wanted was to be famous for being on TV.
Telluride was a different world. Here, no one cared about acting or modeling or being famous online. It was easy to get lost.
CHAPTER4
SAM
The next morning, I showed up early at my current job site, feeling lighter than I had in a while. After spending an evening with Alice, I was more convinced that I’d made the right decision to hire her. She was great with kids, and I didn’t have to worry if she’d show up for work on time because she was living with me.
My brother’s words from dinner rang in my head—my hot nanny was living with me. My heart rate picked up each time I thought of her sleeping down the hall, with only Maggie’s room separating us. Thankfully, she had an en suite bathroom, so I wouldn’t see her coming out of the shower.
Hopefully, she wouldn’t walk around in tank tops and sleep shorts. I wasn’t sure I could resist seeing her tan legs on display. She’d created a new problem—I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
She was my employee. Not some woman I’d meet at a bar and go to her house for an impulsive night. I couldn’t have Alice. She was off-limits.
And if I couldn’t remember that, I’d continue to list all the reasons why giving in to this temptation with her was a bad idea. She lived with me. She needed me for a paycheck. It would be irresponsible to pursue anything with her.
I needed her for Maggie. Not only so I could go to work and not be worried about her safety or what she was doing, but Maggie brightened in a way she hadn’t with anyone else. Not since her mother left.
I wasn’t sure I’d ever get that Maggie back. The one who was carefree and didn’t need to worry about her mom coming and going, thinking she’d never return.
“How’s the new nanny working out?” Mac said as soon as he walked in the door.
He followed me to the kitchen that had seen better days.
“So far, so good. She connects with Maggie.” Remembering the way she’d interacted with her last night, coloring with her and allowing her to decorate her pizza, my chest warmed.
Mac bumped my shoulder. “That’s a relief, huh?”
“For sure.” The only thing was, Alice brought up a whole host of other issues. She was a temptation I didn’t need. Not when I was a single dad and needed her to work.
Mac shot me a knowing smile. “You aren’t being honest with us about how attractive she is, are you?”
“That’s not any of your business,” I said.
“Fuck. You like her,” he said, drawing out his words.
My jaw tightened, but I didn’t respond. It would only urge him on.
Mac shook his head. “That’s inconvenient.”
I lowered my voice, even though the rest of the crew hadn’t shown up yet. “She’s attractive. But it doesn’t matter. She’s Maggie’s nanny, and she’s good with her. Really good.”
“You trust her?” Mac sobered, his expression filling with concern.
“So far. I haven’t seen anything that would raise any red flags. Should I be worried?”
“You said she’s Elle’s sister? The woman who owns Smoke & Mirrors?”
I nodded. “Elle gave me her name when I was in one day getting a haircut.”
