Page 8 of Curvy Nanny for the Nerd

It’s just physical,I told myself as I quickly shook his hand and yanked mine back, far out of his reach.

Far away from that uncomfortable feeling he evoked within me.

Far away from the urge to do something reckless. Something stupid.

Something dangerous.

Chapter 5

Brady

Progress.

Nothing felt better than two full days of uninterrupted work, tweaking code and making adjustments to the story, updating easter eggs and offering better bonus gifts. Day and night for the past forty-eight hours, my ass has been in my comfortable, plush, ergonomic office chair staring at three monitors until my vision started to blur. I didn’t sleep, didn’t rest and I didn’t eat a thing until I felt I made enough progress to reward myself with basic human needs.

The best part was that Toni of the full red lips and ever-present leather jacket, had everything well in hand with Layla. She was confident and competent, and there hadn’t been one damn smoke alarm in two full days.

A yawn cracked my jaw and I knew it was time to venture outside my office and into the rest of the house. After a much needed stop in the bathroom, my stomach roared with the ferocity of a Grizzly Bear and I realized day three was halfway over already, so I made my way to the kitchen. Before I had even taken a few steps in that direction, feminine laughter rang out. I got closer and heard music playing as well. It was a familiarsong, one I’d heard hundreds, if not thousands of times during my youth.

“My mom loved this song,” Layla said. There was a smile in her voice, and when my gaze landed on her, her expression was one of wistful happiness. For the first time in months she seemed lively. Really and truly happy, as evidenced by the wide smile that split her face. “The Ramones just do it right, she always said.”

Toni was still shaking her round ass to the sound as she whipped her hair around, a smile on her face as well. “Your mom was right, and she had excellent taste in music.”

I held my breath and waited for Layla’s smile to fall, for the tears to come, but though her smile dimmed, it turned wistful. “She did. I miss her,” she admitted quietly.

Toni stopped dancing as the music continued. “That’s the part no one ever tells you, kiddo. The pain may lessen over time, but you’ll always miss her. This song will play and you’ll think of her. You’ll see a bouquet of her favorite flowers and you’ll want to buy them for her.”

Before Layla could reply, the loud buzz of the oven timer interrupted whatever she’d been about to say and offered the perfect distraction.

Both females squealed excitedly and bent over at the same time to peek inside the oven.

“Do you think it’s ready?” Layla’s question was equal parts hesitant and excited.

Toni turned to her and even from my spot at the edge of the kitchen, I could see her cheeks spread into a smile. “There’s only one way to find out. Do we risk it or be responsible and give it another few minutes?”

“Risk it!” Layla jumped up and down, smiling when Toni did the same.

“Okay girlie, back it up so I can get this beast out of here.”

My niece gasped when the dish came out of the oven, her eyes as wide as her smile. “It’s so big, Toni! It worked. It actually worked.”

“Of course it did,” she answered with an easy smile that drew me in as much as Layla. “We make a great team.” With the dish in her hands, she set it on the cooling brick and that’s when Toni spotted me. “We made a veggie and nut meatloaf. Hungry?”

“Starved,” I admitted with a frown. “Are you vegan or something?” Nothing on her resume said she was, and I didn’t really care, but Layla might not want to eat food without meat or dairy.

“No,” she sighed as if she was disappointed in me. “But I do like vegetables and I think it’s important to show the tiny humans just how great they can taste.” Her gaze slid in Layla’s direction as if to remind me of my charge.

“I love vegetables,” Layla admitted. “Mom and Dad said that vegetables are better for the environment so we only ate meat a couple times a week.” Her eyes landed on mine, the accusation heavy in them and I couldn’t blame her.

She’s been here long enough that I should know those details. “Of course. Your mom made us all eat vegetarian for six weeks when she was fifteen.”

“Are you joining us for lunch?” Toni arched a brow when I shook my head.

“No, I should get back to work,” I said just as another loud roar sounded deep in my belly.

Layla laughed first and then Toni joined in as she grabbed another plate and handed it to Layla. “Broccoli and sweet potatoes on the side,” she said easily as if I hadn’t just refused her offer. “Sit.”

I frowned. “You’re bossy.”

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