Page 15 of Curvy Nanny for the Grumpy Single Dad

“That I hope your next boss is better than mine?”

“Dante Rush?”

“Yeah. You know him or something?” I figured he was some type of businessman, but it never occurred to me he might be famous as well. I suppose I should have cyber stalked him as any responsible woman in this day and age should, but there was just no time.

“Uh yeah, so does the entire world. Dante Rush, as in, House of Rush?” At my blank stare she rolled her eyes and reached for her phone as she explained. “ The fashion house that does luxury designer goods as well as fashionable budget brands for regular people. The man is a bona fide bazillionaire.”

I frowned. “He’s a bona fide thing that doesn’t exist? Cool.”

Toni growled her frustration. “Do you live under a rock or something?”

“When it comes to fashion, apparently I do.” The heat of humiliation stung though. “That jerk-face bastard,” I growled. “He knew I had no idea who he was.” Dante had mocked me yet again, and I didn’t like it one bit. Screw his insincere apology.

“And?”

“And I don’t like being made fun of, even if I should be used to it.” My sister and her friends did it often enough, and some might say it was a bit of a trigger for me. “Whatever. Doesn’t matter.”

“Seems to matter,” Toni mumbled under her breath. “How about we go out and drink away your sorrows. Or humiliation or whatever.”

“Sounds good.” A night away from Dante was just what I needed.

Chapter 10

Dante

Lucy didn’t come home last night, and I couldn’t deny that I was worried. Or jealous, my conscience added sarcastically. She had every right to spend the night away from home when she wasn’t on the clock. Still, where in the hell was she? I was half-tempted to call her at around ten in the morning, but an unexpected call from Italy took up time until lunch rolled around.

Lena and I ate lunch at the kitchen table where we had most of our meals unless it was a special occasion, and then we used the formal dining room. The door opened and seconds later Lucy appeared looking fresh and young, and too damn good in capri yoga pants that hugged her body nicely and a loose tank top that showed off plump tits. She was dressed perfectly decent, but my mind was clearly in the gutter when it came to Lucy.

“Good afternoon. I just wanted you to know that I was back.” Her smile was wide but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Everything within me wanted to go to her and ask if she was all right, but Lena rushed from the table and slammed her body against Lucy’s legs. “You came back!”

Lucy dropped down, her brows dipped in concern as she wrapped her arms around my daughter. “Of course I came back. We had fun together this week, didn’t we?”

Lena nodded. “Lots of fun.”

This time her smile was genuine when she pulled back and stared at Lena. “I needed to visit my friend and grab a few of my things to make my room feel like home. Were you worried about me?”

She nodded again and pushed her lip out into a pout. “I thought you were gone forever. Like my mommy.”

“Aw, honey.” She pulled her in for another hug and the gesture was so motherly I felt a pinch inside my chest. “I’m sorry I worried you. Next time I’ll let you know exactly when I’ll be back. Okay?”

“Next time? You’re going away again?

She nodded. “I don’t work on the weekends, so sometimes I might not be here while you spend time with your dad.”

“You could stay with us all the time,” she implored. “Want some breakfast?”

“As delicious as it smells, I need to unload my car and get my things sorted in my room. If I have food now, I’ll probably find another reason to delay. Finish your breakfast and have fun with your dad, okay?”

Lena nodded. “Okay Lucy. But you can come find us anytime you want. Right Daddy?”

My lips twitched. “Of course, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Lena. That’s so thoughtful of you.” She rubbed a hand over Lena’s hair and left the kitchen.

Having her in the house but out of sight was somehow more distracting than having her gone. I knew she was in my house, upstairs, but she stayed in her room for hours. She didn’t emerge even once for a break, which had me reconsidering the small fridge I had Dotty put in the nanny suite.

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