Page 34 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

Miles mutters something before kissing Lola all over her face, telling her he’ll call her to say good night. She calls after him as he leaves to meet the team, but she seems to be okay with him going. Lola is also pretty young and likely doesn’t understand what’s happening.

I get her back to the table and give her eggs and strawberries before pouring myself more coffee. There’s no way I can eat after that, whatever that was.

The day is filled with a long walk outside so she can show me the flowers and puzzles at the table before she takes her nap. I’m ready to drop by then so I crawl into my bed, leaving the door open and the monitor on.

I sleep fitfully, replaying this morning in my mind. Miles seemed so irritated, and that makes me think he still wants us to happen. He’s a gorgeous, rich hockey player and wouldn’t have any issues getting a woman in bed with him, so does he only want me like I do him?

Maybe he’ll move fast and hook up with someone on the east coast during their trip. I know from Drew there isn’t a ton of free time, but sex doesn’t take that long.

Complicated.

Lola wakes up before I’m ready for her and I keep it low key, just playing inside before dinner. There isn’t a game tonight, but I’ll turn on the one that’s on tomorrow afternoon to watch as much as I don’t want to. She needs to see what her dad does and get to know the sport a lot more over the next few years.

After she’s sleeping in bed, I lie on the couch with the TV on just to make myself think this house isn’t so empty.

CHAPTER 15

THE GREEN MONSTER

MILES

Afucking date?

Delilah was in my bed on her hands and knees for me two nights ago and she already has a date lined up? I drive to the arena to park in the garage with the other guys so we can take our bus to the flight, telling myself to stay calm.

I told her we’re done. Delilah is beautiful and smart, so why shouldn’t someone else snatch her up?

“There he is.” Drew grins when I approach the private area in the back of the arena where fans can’t get to us. “Ready for these teams?”

There are some skilled teams we’re going to battle with, and I need to have my head in the game.

“You know it. We’ve been practicing for this, right?”

I look forward since I don’t want Andrew to see right through me.

“Is Del ready for a week alone with Lola?”

He’s laughing and I take a deep breath, knowing I can’t blow it.

“I sure hope so. She was active this morning before I left to come here. Mom said she’s there to help if needed.”

“She seems to love Del. Lola looks at her like she’s her entire world when it’s just them and even when it isn’t. I am so full of great ideas right now.”

“Why are you wasting that intelligence on hockey? You could invent things and become rich.”

Okay, that sounded a little bitter.

“The hockey world would miss me too much. We have a league to destroy, but if you need any help with your personal life, I am a phone call away.”

“Asshole.”

We board the bus after the luggage is settled and I look out the window as we head towards the airport. I have done this so many times, but it feels like I am leaving a piece of myself behind this time. What if she goes on this date and falls for the guy?

It’s about a five-hour flight and we fill most of the plane. Normally, I sleep on these flights, especially as Lola gets older, and Andrew listens to his crime podcasts. I’ll never understand that, but I am a dad now.

This time, I lean back and close my eyes, but I don’t sleep. Instead, I play back every time I slept with Delilah and all the tension between us before that happened. I have never felt like this before with anybody, and it scares me. Is it because she’s the forbidden fruit?

Before her, I could have any woman I wanted. It doesn’t take much to get them in bed, but I stopped wanting that casual arrangement after Lola came into my life. I still don’t crave it, but after the sex I had with Delilah, can I give it up?

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