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“Absolutely. I’m sure it will work out. Lilly is precious, and this room is beautiful.”
“You have free run of the whole house,” Nathan promises with a smile that makes my heart skip a beat. “And we can work in time off as you need it, as well. I mean, we can both tell you we know how challenging it is to take care of an infant.”
Keaton clears his throat. “I’m still going to be around.” The brothers exchange a look I don’t quite understand. Is Nathan upset at that idea? I’m not. Keaton is as hot as his brother but in a sexier, almost dangerous kind of way. He’s got those bedroom eyes my grandma always talked about when she was swooning over her favorite actors. They promise a lot, those eyes, and when they lock on mine, a tiny shiver goes up my spine.
I need to get serious. I’m here as an employee, and I’m younger than both of them. If they’re looking at me funny, it’s because they’re both half dead on their feet. I’m glad to be able to help them.
“Then we’ll all work out a schedule together,” I suggest. The touch of tension in the air evaporates.
“You have no idea what a huge load off my mind it will be to have you here.” Nathan runs both hands through his thick, dark hair. It’s a little long in the back and on the sides, scraggly enough to tell me it’s been a while since he’s had a haircut. He really has been overwhelmed. I feel sorry for him. No wonder he’s in such a hurry to bring me on as the baby’s nanny.
“I’m really happy this is all working out.”
“I guess you’ll want to go home and get your things together. I mean, assuming the job starts right away.” Keaton looks at his brother and raises his thick eyebrows. “Right?”
There’s a little tension again. I don’t think Nathan likes when Keaton talks for him. “I’m ready to get started whenever is good for you,” I offer.
“I’ll walk you to your car.” Keaton is already on his way to the door.
“Excuse me. I can do that myself.” Nathan almost elbows him out of the way. It would be funny if it wasn’t so awkward and confusing. I’m not used to all this attention.
“Actually,” I pipe up, “I didn’t drive here. I took a bus—I don’t have a car.”
“I can drive you.” Keaton snags a set of keys from the small table next to the front door. “And it’ll mean having an extra pair of hands to help pack up your things.”
I don’t need an extra pair of hands because there’s not that much to pack, but I’m too embarrassed to admit that. He’ll find out once we get there.
Nathan’s face falls. “I guess that’s it, then. I can’t go while Lilly is asleep.” He sounds so disappointed. I guess he wouldn’t mind getting out of the house.
“It won’t take long,” I promise. “And then, when I get back, we can talk about schedules, and you can… you know, show me how to use the washing machine, I guess.” This is all so new, and I’m almost giddy with excitement. No, the house won’t be mine, but it will mean having more space and feeling like I’m earning my place rather than relying on charity. I hate that more than just about anything about my current situation.
The sight of Keaton’s black Lexus makes me whistle in appreciation. “This is a nice car.”
“I know.” His honesty makes me laugh, though I try to keep it to myself. I’m already starting to get a feeling for their personalities. He’s obviously the one who is a little more fun, a little more flashy, a little more flirtatious. Nathan is the serious one. He has all the responsibilities.
The thing about me is when I’m nervous, I talk a lot. “So, you and Nathan are brothers. Have you been staying with him to help with the baby?”
“Yeah. He needs help for sure.”
He hasn’t said anything about the baby’s mother, and I’m super curious. “Is… the mom in the picture? I’m not trying to pry, I swear. But if some random woman shows up, I should probably know in advance who she is.”
“She’s not going to be showing up anytime soon.” His voice goes deeper, tight, like I stepped on a sore spot. “You don’t have to worry about that. She pretty much gave up the baby a couple of days after she gave birth. They were married.”
Oh, that poor man. It must’ve hurt so much. Not to mention how overwhelmed he must have felt. “Poor thing.”
“I’d rather have no mother than a mother who doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.” He makes a good point. “Tell me more about yourself.”
“I love kids. I always have. I guess I sort of understand them.”
“Let me tell you, watching you calm Lilly was like watching a miracle.” He yawns wide before chuckling. “It’s been a long couple of months.”
“I’m sure your brother knows how lucky he is that he doesn’t have to go through all of this by himself.”
“Remind him of that when he’s pissed off at me for some stupid reason or another.” His charming grin makes my stomach flutter dangerously. Chill out. I really don’t need to be getting a crush right now. This job means everything. I can’t afford to lose it because I caught feelings for my boss’s brother… or my boss. I could see myself falling for one of them easily. Not only because they’re both handsome and obviously love Lilly. A man who loves kids and wants to do what’s best for them is always going to be a turn-on for me.
It was the funniest thing when I first walked into that house and held the baby. It was like I was meant to be there. Like I finally made it home.
Which, of course, is a completely stupid idea I need to get rid of right away.
