Page 6 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

“All justifiable, Miles. You want to just put Lola into a protective bubble and keep her safe.”

“She was sleeping when Kim left to go to the store. They could have both been in the car.” It’s a thought I didn’t let myself process too often. That would have devastated me to pieces if I’d lost Lola. “What if I mess up and something happens?”

“You know we can’t control any of that, but you’re doing your best. Andrew says Delilah is incredible with Lola and they’re both happy. Lola is recovering from everything, Miles. She’ll be okay. It’s a blessing she’s so young.” Gabe smiles his thanks at Wendy as she drops off our drinks.

“A blessing she won’t remember her mom?” I close my eyes at the darkness in my tone. “Fuck. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. That’s a sad fact about this situation, but all you can do is move forward, Miles. Are you ready to play?”

The news had been full of stories about the accident, causing me to become a single father, and fans were both incredible and callous towards me. It was at the tail end of last season and had we been in a spot for the finals, I might have lost it for the team in my state of mind. It’s died down and now everyone is talking about the chance to get the cup this year.

“I’m ready. New season, right?” I meet his eyes with a smile, and Gabe nods back at me. What I can’t say is how much watching Delilah and Lola together makes me feel things for the nanny. Not just the nanny, but the little sister of my best friend. It is wrong on so many levels, and I lean back, sipping the cold water gratefully.

Maybe it will cool off this forbidden desire I feel for the woman my daughter adores.

I decide to hit the gym when I get home to crush the feelings that flood my mind, and we all have dinner at the table. Delilah has been making some of her family recipes, and tonight’s roasted chicken with root veggies and fresh bread is incredible.

She sets a plate ready for Lola to eat before sitting in the chair beside her. Delilah looks tired but happy, like she’s doing something she loves. It doesn’t go unnoticed that dinner is almost completely healthy for my upcoming season.

There’s a discomfort between me and my nanny. She knows I nitpick everything and barely compliment her on anything, but Delilah is a smart woman. She knows Lola is happy and healthy and, more importantly, she’s thriving. I see her take my comments in and try not to respond, but Delilah is going to break at some point.

I wonder if they hurt her feelings as she builds her wall higher. At least, that’s what I think she’s doing.

Dinner is quiet except for the conversations Delilah and I have separately with Lola, and she takes the dishes to the kitchen as I get Lola ready for bed. I won’t be able to do it as often soon and I want to memorize every moment with my daughter.

When I come back to the kitchen, it’s clean and Delilah is sitting at the counter working on her laptop. She glances at me,and our eyes lock before I look away.

“Are you cool with cleaning and cooking and everything besides taking care of Lola? I can get people to do that. Just hadn’t gotten around to it yet.”

I get water from the fridge and feel the tension filling the room.

“You pay me five thousand dollars a month, Miles. That’s more than enough to do what I do around here and it’s not like cooking in this kitchen is something I hate. It’s perfect.” I watch as she looks around at the new top-of-the-line appliances. “I know you find fault in everything I do, and I don’t get it. I want the best for Lola, just like you do.”

“She’s my daughter and nobody cares for her the way I do.” My eyes flash as they meet Delilah’s stunned gaze. “The only person who did is gone and now I have to feel comfortable just leaving her here with you.”

“I understand, Miles. I do. I do everything in my power every day to keep Lola happy and healthy. Why isn’t it enough for you?”

Delilah stands and we square off for a few moments as something other than heat floods my skin. Her eyes flash and the green color gives way to gold flecks this close that mesmerize me. I watch as her chest heaves and hands coil into fists before I step towards her.

I can’t tell her it is enough for me. My daughter is as happy as I’ve ever seen her, which is tragic and wonderful all at the same time. I just don’t want to leave her for more than a few hours a day to play.

Right now, I want to kiss Delilah and she licks her full lips as she sees my eyes locked on them. I step closer, moving my body to where we’re almost touching, and she can feel my breath on her forehead as she stares forward, not wanting to meet my hungry gaze. I feel the heat between us and suck in a breath as I reach out to cup her face.

Our lips are close to touching when Delilah shoves me away, almost making me fall over from surprise. I lean against the counter as she runs down the hall towards her room, closing the door hard enough for me to hear the sound.

What’s happening?

CHAPTER 4

I HATE HIM

DELILAH

Iwalk into the room and pace the floor as I try to calm my racing heart. The darkness of Miles’s eyes plays through my mind and the raw need all over his face sends chills over my body. I press my hands to my face.

“Damn it. We were arguing about what an ass he is. That wasn’t supposed to happen.” It can’t happen. Ever.

My body wanted him more than anything in the world at the moment, but running away was the best thing for me to do. We can’t go there.

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