Page 55 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

Mom always tells me that, and I nod with a smile.

“I couldn’t do it without both her and you guys. These away games are taking a lot out of me lately. I just worry about Lola.”

“Of course. Any good father would, but you know she’s happy and safe here. We all work together to keep Lola that way.”

Mom pats me on the shoulder, shaking her head.

“What is it, Mom?”

“You’re a father. It still amazes me to this day.”

Her eyes are full of love, and I chuckle and wrap my arm around her.

“Now you need a woman to settle down with so I can have more grandbabies. Brynn is only eighteen.”

All she needed to do was suggest Delilah, and I’d fall to the floor. Mom never pressured me for more kids since I wasn’t in that place. I’m still not.

Am I?

CHAPTER 22

PART OF THE FAMILY

DELILAH

“You’re here!”

I look up to see Brynn and smile at her from my spot on the sofa.

“Why are you in here? Is Lola okay?”

I’d been lost in my thoughts and wondered how long I’d been here. Lola is fine, but I sat down and left the planet.

“She’s fine. I just got comfortable.”

“Tired?”

I can’t tell Miles’s sister I had wild sex with him just hours ago after doing it the night before, but I can nod, so I do.

“I guess. Isn’t that the norm with a toddler?”

“Probably. I don’t need to know that for a long time. Come on. Dinner is almost ready, and I want to see my brother.”

I stand and glance at Lola with her doll before following Brynn into the kitchen. Miles and his parents are chatting away in there as Linda stirs the chili, looking like she’s in heaven.

Miles looks at me before Brynn bounces over to him.

“You were awesome on that road trip. The team couldn’t have done too much better than you all did. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. It was a long week, but worth it. How are you?”

Brynn grabs some water as she talks about her life and classes, reminding me of college. It feels like yesterday, and I remember I have a degree, but I am so happy with this job. Well, with Lola and Miles, to be exact.

We get the chili to the table and Linda piles the bread on a plate before following Keith to the dining room. I feel so welcome here, as much as I do with my family. What would it be like to be here as Miles’s girlfriend? Would it be any different for him to be with my family like that?

So much so. Andrew comes to mind, and I smile automatically as I spoon chili into my bowl, setting it on the table with a few pieces of cornbread. Everything smells great, but my stomach twists and I look at Lola with her tiny bowl and spoon as she makes a mess all over her bib. I think she’s dropping more than she’s eating, but based on the smile on Lola’s face, she’s having a blast.

I feel eyes on me and look up to see Miles looking at me from the seat on the other side of Lola. He’s frowning and I smile before taking a bite of food, knowing he’s trying to read me right now.

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