Page 4 of Curvy Nanny for the Grumpy Single Dad

Lena shrugged, her big blue eyes darted left and right. “I’m good Daddy.” She sighed. “Lisa is gone.”

I hugged my girl tighter. “I know honey but I’m working on getting you a nanny who will stick. I promise.”

“You can stay home?” There was such hope in her eyes.

“I can for a while, but sometimes I’m needed at the office Lena. You know that.” I barely had any time in my day for anything but the necessities, but I made sure we ate dinner together most nights. Still, I felt like I was failing in the fatherhood department.

“I know Daddy.” She sighed and her tone was so sad it was like someone had punched me in the heart.

“How about after I check a few emails, we go out for lunch? Your choice.”

Her eyes and smile both widen with excitement. “Okay Daddy. Promise?”

I nodded, hating that she needed a promise to believe me, but running a fashion empire was more than a full-time job, and there were many times in her short life that I had to break a promise.

“I promise Lena. One hour.”

“Okay.” She squirmed out of my arms and I lowered her to the floor. “One hour!” Lena ran off back to her playroom.

I followed her down the hall at a far more sedate pace and went to my home office to get sixty minutes—no more— of work of done before spending time with my kid.

Hopefully Ms. Majors would call with good news before the day was over.

Chapter 3

Lucy

“Sorry about the wait Lucy.” Serenity sighed and tossed her stylish green framed glasses on her petite glass desk. “Thanks for sticking around.”

I shrugged and kept a smile on my face because I liked Serenity, she was a good employer and made sure we received good wages. “Not like I have anything else to do.” I kept my tone lighthearted, so she’d know I understood she was doing what she could to find me a placement.

“That’s what took so long,” she explained. “I had a family all lined up for you, and you can still interview with them, but I received a call not too long ago from a very frantic father in need of a nanny immediately. I actually think you might be a better match for this family.”

A frantic father. “A single father?” I didn’t have a problem with single fathers in general, but those who used this service could be hit or miss.

“Yes. But don’t worry, one of his main requirements was that you don’t try to, and I quote, ‘worm your way into his bed.’ So,” she sighed and flashed a friendly smile, “you can see why I thought you might be perfect.”

I felt my face heat with embarrassment at the reminder of my first year with Elite Nanny Service. “I’m much better now,” I said defensively. “But I do admit that there might be a hint of bias where wealthy single dads are concerned.” Seriously, how hard was it for a rich, moderately good looking man to find a woman to warm his bed? “And the child?”

“A four year old little girl who is reading at an eight year old level. Loves princesses, unicorns and watching the cloud shapes roll by. Some educational games are required, and it’s full-time. Live-in.” Serenity watched me carefully, and I made sure to keep my expression blank while I mulled it over.

“You think this is a better fit than the original family?”

“I do, but the choice is yours.” Her lips twitched and I arched a suspicious brow across the desk.

“What?”

“He’s offering a fifty percent pay bump, permanent, if you can start before the end of the week.”

My eyes widen at that juicy morsel. “Really?”

Serenity nodded.

I wanted to jump on this opportunity, to grab it with both hands, but experience had told me to look all gift horses in the mouth. “What’s the catch?”

She sighed, but her smile never wavered. “Caught that, did you?”

I nodded and folded my arms, the salary bump all but vanishing before my eyes. “What is it?”

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