Page 45 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

“Just tired.”

There’s a commotion in the arena and I look up to see the guys skating before the game.

“Let’s go see Daddy.”

I carry Lola to the glass, and she waves at Miles, smiling when he comes to stand in front of us. He’s achingly beautiful and I watch as he taps the glass, drawing a giggle from Lola. Our eyes meet for a moment and then he turns his head as someone calls his name.

Miles places his hand over his heart, sending it towards us before he returns to his teammates.

I could read so much into that, but there’s no point.

We return to the seats and snacks scattered about, settling in for the game. The team plays much better today, keeping in tune with each other out on the ice. I’m sure they got an ass kicking about the last game and I watch closely with Lola in my lap.

When Andrew passes the puck to Miles and he scores a goal, we all start screaming. Lola knows what it means and claps her hands as she looks at us.

“They’re back.”

Keith looks anxious and I smile at him.

“It was just a bad night. That team was messing with them so much. It would get to anybody.”

“You’re right. Maybe you’re his lucky charm, since you weren’t here that night.”

I don’t know whether to tell him I was sitting somewhere else, but he doesn’t seem to know about Colton. Maybe I am more like bad luck.

The game ends with a three-goal lead and I dance with Lola in the seats as they play one of her favorite songs. Linda sends Andrew and Miles a text about dinner since Lola claims she’s starving and seems up for it and Miles suggests a place since he can get a private room for us

It’s a steakhouse. We walk in, and they lead us to a room that could hold about thirty people comfortably.

“Is this where they go for team dinners?”

I look at Linda, and she nods back with a smile. She has Lola by the hand, and I pause, wondering if I should even be here.

We sit down and order drinks, and everyone gives a standing ovation to the guys when they walk in wearing suits and looking incredible. They’ve brought a few friends with them and everyone sits down as we look at the menus.

Miles is next to Lola while I am on her other side, and it’s hard to pretend he isn’t there. Everyone is talking and I just watch them, smiling when I see how happy the team is. When the food comes, the steak and seafood are delicious and I eat eagerly, watching as Lola digs in.

We don’t close the place out but leave past Lola’s bedtime and Miles offers to drive me home. We’re going to the same place after all. When I remind him my car is at his parents’ house and that I can just ride with them and drive it home, his jaw sets in a frown.

“Lola is going to be out on the way home. Just get her there and into bed and I’ll be home before you know it.”

He gazes at me for a moment before nodding, tucking a sleepy girl over his shoulder once he says goodbye to everyone.

I get into the car with his family after hugging mine and lean back, closing my eyes. What should I expect when I get to the house? I do not know.

Part of me just wants to go back to what we were before the kiss and sleeping together. He was bossy with Lola, but I know he was protecting her, as any good father should. We fought over it and tensions built up, which we handled in the worst way. The nights we shared are memories I’ll never forget, but I need to put the memories behind me and just live my life.

I know I won’t be Lola’s nanny forever, but I can enjoy the time I have with her.

When we reach the house, Brynn nudges me awake, and I blink at her.

“Can you make it home?”

She looks worried and I rub my eyes with a big stretch.

“It’s not far. I’ll be fine and I need to be there for Lola.”

Something crosses her face and I try to read it before Linda asks me if I’m good to drive.

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