Page 60 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

What am I hearing in Gabe’s voice?

“It worked out perfectly having a family friend take the job. I’ll always be grateful to Andrew for the suggestion.”

“There’s nothing between you?”

Shit.

“Nope. She’s the nanny and we communicate about Lola well. I mean, she’s a friend, too, but I don’t feel more than that. I think she mentioned something about being set up with someone soon.”

That’s a good thing to say. It’s already happened in a sense, so I know how it works.

“Andrew would lose it if there was more, and I’m sure you know that. There’s protective and then there’s Andrew with Delilah. Has she ever been in a serious relationship?”

“I get it with Brynn, my sister. You want to bubble wrap them from the entire world like I do with Lola. I’m not sure if she’s dated anyone since she was off at college for a while. Delilah is probably too busy for it right now. The season makes free time so rare.”

“Someone will snatch her up. From what I’ve picked up, she has beauty and brains.”

“You forgot sarcasm.”

Did I add that too quickly?

“Oh, yeah. With her brother, there is a lot of that. It’s fun to watch, but I doubt she’s like that with Lola.”

I slip on my shoes and grin.

“No. She’s got the patience of a saint with Lola.”

It’s when we’re back on the road that I sense something different with Delilah. She’s withdrawing a little and seems to sleep more than usual. I’m sure Lola keeps her incredibly busy, and Delilah deserves the rest, but I enjoy our text chats and there have been less of those.

I can’t complain because she’s been great at keeping me in touch with Lola, but I miss Delilah and there’s no one to tell.

I drag through the week, and I know it shows because Gabe gives me several curious glances over the next few days. I’m not slipping enough to cost the team a loss, but also not playing to my best ability.

I swore I’d never let a woman get to me like this beyond Lola.

“Let’s get some lunch tomorrow.”

I can see the growing annoyance in Gabe’s eyes after a loss, and I nod. We’re not going home until tomorrow night, so there will be some time to do this. I just know it isn’t a friendly lunch between a couple of guys.

This is business and it sucks.

I arrive at the place Gabe suggested the next day and find a seat in the back to wait. Andrew was all questions about this lunch and wanted to come, but he saw the way I was playing. My best friend knows when I am off.

“This is between me and the captain. It’s not even a friend’s lunch, as far as I know.”

I pulled on a team sweatshirt as I prepared to leave the room with Andrew hovering around me.

“He’s going to find out what’s bothering you. Anything you need to talk about?”

“No. I’m sure I’ll cover that today, but there’s not really anything going on you need to worry about.”

I order something to drink and take a deep breath. Gabe is a good guy and kind about things like this, but the bottom line is that I am messing up. He’s the captain above everything else.

When I see him walk in, I straighten up like a kid in trouble with his parents. How long has it been since I felt that way?

“Thanks for coming.”

Gabe sits down with a soft smile, and I nod, leaning forward.

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