Page 17 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

I want to tell her that Lola loves her more than anyone, but I just smile.

“My girl is hard not to love, isn’t she?”

CHAPTER 8

ARENA

DELILAH

It’s the night of the first game and I want it to be perfect. Miles is already nervous, and I can see how torn up he is about being away from his daughter the other night. He’s like a different man, and I know now that there is a heart in there somewhere, even if it’s only for Lola.

I guess that’s how it should be.

He leaves early in the day for a pre-game practice and dinner with the team and I make Lola a special early meal before getting her ready for the game. I know we’ll eat something there, but it’s better to fill her up with healthy food first.

The jersey is adorable, and I pull her hair into high ponytails with ribbons that match the team colors. Since she might want to run around, I dress her in some leggings that complement the jersey and some soft boots after she’s cleaned up from dinner. I am so nervous to be bringing her, but our families will be there, and kids are everywhere at games.

Miles’s family offers to take us in their big SUV if I want to drive to the house, so I won’t have to find parking and deal with all of that. They have a parking pass, so if I need to leave for any reason, his dad can take us back to the car and go right back to the arena. I can’t see any reason not to accept the offer and we arrive an hour before the game will start, walking into the house as Linda opens the door.

“She looks so cute. That little jersey is adorable, Delilah. Does Miles know about it?” She picks up her granddaughter in a hug and I watch with a smile.

“I mentioned it, but he hasn’t seen it yet. That part will be a surprise.”

I am wearing my brother’s name on my back even though I’d like it to be Miles’s last name. How would I explain that, especially since we’re all sitting together?

Everyone congregates in the living room in their matching jerseys, and we pile into the luxurious SUV for the short ride to the arena since their house is closer than Miles’s cabin. I’m anxious and excited all at once and my hands shake when we go inside and meet my family in the seats.

There’s already a crowd cheering the guys on during their pre-game skate and I take Lola to the glass, showing her Miles. Lola calls for him as fans look on and Miles looks over and a gorgeous smile crosses his face. He skates over and taps the glass with his glove, talking to Lola as she claps her hands. This man as a hockey player is sexy, but the dad thing almost kills me. Based on the expressions of the surrounding women, they notice it, too.

Miles doesn’t notice anyone but Lola and he slips a puck to her through a slot in the glass.

“Have her be careful with that. It’s heavy.”

I nod and he smiles at her.

“Of course. Good luck tonight.”

“Thanks for the jersey. I love it.”

Miles smiles at me and waves as he joins the team to shoot some pucks at the net, and I grin at Lola.

“Did you see your daddy out there? He’s so important to the team and we’re going to watch him tonight.” I carry her back to our seats and everyone comments about the puck after gushing over her.

“She’s going to have a pile of them in her room the first year.” Keith laughs and turns it in his hand thoughtfully.

“There’s no doubt about that.”

Linda bounces in her seat and smiles as she watches the action on the ice.

“You’ve been to games for Andrew before, haven’t you?” Miles’s sister looks at me with a warm smile.

“Tons, but when I was in college, I missed so many. I have only met Miles a couple of times and even then, it was brief. I love this sport and it’s in my family’s blood.”

I can feel that same blood flowing through my veins now, but there’s something different in the way my heart beats faster. When I watch Miles on the ice, there’s something so raw and sexy about the control he possesses out there that Andrew just doesn’t have. Granted, he’s my brother and shouldn’t have that kind of effect on me, but Miles is different out of all of his teammates over the years.

All the surrounding people distract Lola, and I swear she keeps looking out on the ice for Miles. I point him out every single time and Lola giggles.

When the game starts, we all settle in to watch it. Everyone helps with Lola, and we pass her around so the others can focus on the ice. It’s like a dream and I picture my future with my own child just like this when the time happens.

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