Page 38 of Curvy Nanny for the Grumpy Single Dad

“So. Mr. Witter.”

He laughed. “That’s my pops. I’m just Alex.”

“So. Just Alex.”

He laughed again. “I like you, Lucy.”

“I like you too,” I told him. “Except when you’re playing the Tornadoes, you can’t seem to get away from their fullback.”

Shock was written all over his face. “Beautiful and she knows football. Tell me you’re single.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not your type, remember?”

“Those were Dante’s words, not mine. But now that I’ve seen you up close, I know why he said that.”

Ouch. Hurt and anger coursed through my veins at his words. Maybe he was as big a jerk as Dante. “Cool. Good to know,” I said as calmly as I could manage. “Come on Lena, let’s get washed up for lunch.”

Alex was the best running back in the country, so I knew there was no way to outrun him, but that didn’t mean I had to speak to him. “Hey Lucy, you’ve got it all wrong.”

I shrugged. “It’s fine, Alex. No harm done.”

“Bullshit.”

“You said a bad word, Uncle Alex.”

“Sorry honey, I mean to say bull poop.” He smiled and made Lena giggle before she ran off to the kitchen. Alex turned his attention back to me.“What I meant was that Dante only said that to keep me away from you. I mean seriously, what man doesn’t love a curvy blond with a smart mouth and more than a working knowledge of football? If I wasn’t so sure he wanted you for himself, I’d whisk you away to Hawaii for the weekend.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“Put that charm away, Alex.” Because unfortunately there was no spark, dammit. Why, oh why did it have to be Dante who revved my engine?

“Fine. So how’s this new gig coming along?” He asked as we both made our way to the kitchen.

“Great. Lena is a sweet little girl and she’s very smart.”

“A very diplomatic answer.” He smiled wide and dug into Dotty’s delicious three-bean chili with all the fixings.

“Thank you. I try.” I topped my chili with sharp cheddar and jalapenos while Lena requested I add a mountain of cheese to her bowl. “Are you really here to escape trouble?”

Alex shrugged. “More like to escape the temptation of trouble, but also to see how the new nanny was working out.”

I smiled because I knew what he was doing, and if Dante hadn’t confirmed his feelings I might have been tempted to believe he’d said something to Alex about us. “You’re a good uncle to be so concerned about Lena.”

He laughed to himself. “It’s her workaholic father I’m worried about.”

I shrugged and took my time chewing. “Luckily for me, it’s not my job to look after grumpy men.” Dante was more than capable of dealing with—or avoiding—his own emotions. “But Lena and I get along great, so don’t worry your pretty little head about her.”

Alex stared at me for a long time before he let out a bark of laughter so loud it startled Lena. “You’re feisty.”

“I’ve been told that on occasion.”

He continued to laugh. “I’m sure Dante hates it.”

“You would be correct,” I confirmed with the barest hint of a smile.

“Oh man, I wish I could move in just to see it all unfold.” Alex shook his head and I could see that he and Dante had a genuine friendship. And if I was looking to torture myself, I might wonder if Dante was different with Alex than he was with me or the rest of the world. But that was absolute madness and I refused to go down that path.

“Nothing to unfold. I update him on Lena’s days and her progress, sometimes I eat with them and that’s it.”

“Bullshit.” He froze and slid a gaze to Lena. “Sorry, sweetheart.”

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