Page 24 of Single Dad's Hot Nanny

“I think you mean exclusive, kiddo,” Amber said.

I couldn’t help laughing. “You don’t say? I feelsospecial.” I winked at Poppy and she giggled.

“She likes you,” Amber said.

“I do!” Poppy grinned. “Can Mia be my new nanny?”

“Poppy, that isn’t how this works…” Amber’s phone beeped again, and she groaned. “Oh, God… I hope I don’t regret this.”

Poppy and I both looked at Amber, our eyes wide with hope.

“Mia, are you free for the rest of the day?”

I nodded as emphatically as Poppy did a moment ago. “Absolutely.”

“Alright, here’s what we’re going to do.” Amber’s gaze shifted between Poppy and me. “I have to get to the office pronto, and I can’t leave Poppy with a complete stranger.”

“Mia isn’t a stranger. We had tea…”

I smirked. Poppy sounded as if sharing pretend tea made me family. The sweet innocence of kids… She was officially my new favorite person.

Amber seemed as amused by Poppy’s logic as I was because I saw the smile she swallowed before it blossomed.

“Still, Mia isn’t staying here alone with you until I’ve done a proper interview and background check… which we’ll do in the car on our way to the office.”

I blinked, stunned that she was actually giving me a chance. Was my luck finally looking up?

“Yay! Mia gets to come with us!” Poppy cheered.

“Uh-huh, and I hope your dad doesn’t kill me for this,” Amber mumbled. “Go grab your shoes and your bag.”

“Okay!” Poppy took off with the speed only a child could have.

Amber and I had a staredown. “Mia Clarke, if you turn out to be a nut, I’m going to be so disappointed.”

“I’m not a nut,” I assured her. “I’m perfectly capable of being a nanny. I’m very responsible.”Well, I will be from now on.

11

MICHAEL

Present

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped into the foyer. It felt good to be home. Any minute now, I expected a tiny body to come sprinting toward me, but there was no Poppy. I thought she’d meet me at the door to tell me more about the new nanny. Poppy said she hadlots moreto tell me about Mia. What I knew so far was that:

Mia is funny.

Mia does the best voices during story time.

Mia put braids in my hair.

Mia is soooo cool.

Mia. Mia. Mia.I couldn’t wait to meet this Mia, who had enchanted my little girl in just three days.

As I advanced into the living room, there was still no Poppy. There was no Amber and no new nanny either. As I surveyed the room, I realized it wasn’t only people missing. The framed photos on the center table were gone. Even the one of me and the guys, when we were in college, was missing from the wall.

Frowning, I spun in a circle as I tried to solve the case of the missing photos. Maybe my housekeeper moved them, but why…? And where the hell was my daughter, my assistant, and the nanny? Just as I was about to call out to announce my arrival, I heard sounds coming from the kitchen. I dropped my briefcase and jacket and headed in there expecting to see everyone.

---