Page 39 of Bad Nanny

“He never told me.” More tears fell and my heart ached.

“They probably haven’t been dating that long.” Leaning across the console, I wrapped my arms around her. “No one was probably worth introducing you and Nora to. If I were back on the dating scene, I’d do the same.”

She pulled away, wiping her cheeks with the backs of her hands. “We’re dating.”

I was sure I’d stuck my foot in my mouth. “Yes, and we both decided not to tell Laney about us yet.”

She nodded and looked out the passenger window. “Can we go home? I need to prepare myself for the conversation I’m going to need to have with him tomorrow.”

“If that’s what you want.” I started the car and buckled my seat belt.

“I don’t know what I want,” she muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.

I hoped this thing between us wasn’t over before it even began.

We pulled into the garage more than two hours before I’d told Noah we’d be back. Josie had been quiet for the entire fifteen-minute drive, but I didn’t push to have a conversation when I could tell she needed to be alone with her thoughts.

“Hey,” I said gently. “Are you okay?”

Josie glanced over at me, the light from the garage door catching the conflicted look in her eyes. She gave a small nod but didn’t speak.

I searched her face, wishing I could read her thoughts. “Do you want me to come in for a bit? Or let you get some rest?”

She looked torn, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words. My instincts urged me to be there for her, but sometimes the best way to be there for someone was to give them the space they needed.

“A lot happened tonight. Take some time for yourself.” I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before finding her lips with mine.

“I had a great time,” she murmured against my mouth.

“Me too.” I gave her lips one last brush with mine before pulling away. “It’s a bit strange to be doing this in the car when we’re both headed into the same house.”

She smiled softly. “It’s better this way, in case Uncle Noah didn’t put Laney to bed.”

I rolled my eyes. “I wouldn’t be surprised... I’m a little nervous to go in.”

She put her hand over mine. “Why?”

The same reasons I had a hard time even leaving the house tonight.“What if she didn’t do okay? What if she was so scared that I wouldn’t come home that she cried herself to sleep?”

“Those are both possibilities, but you haven’t really given her opportunities to build that trust that you’ll be back. It’s going to take time for both of you to step outside your comfort zones.” She rubbed the top of my hand with her thumb. “You had a great time tonight, right?”

“Of course.” I smirked. “Even if I almost got my ass kicked.”

She rolled her eyes. “Then that’s what matters. It’spossible you’ll walk into the house, and she’ll be a mess, but she’ll see how relaxed and happy you are and know everything is okay. She might only be five, but she notices.” She picked up my hand and kissed the top of it. “Want me to hold your hand while you find out how she did?”

I barked out a laugh and grabbed her chin, slamming my lips against hers. The gentle kiss I’d already given her was supposed to be our goodnight kiss, but now I wanted her to know she belonged to me.

She grabbed onto my shirt, and fuck did I want to drag her over into my lap. But I couldn’t risk her butt honking the horn. I broke our kiss, laughing at the thought.

“What?” She was panting and brought her fingers to her swollen lips.

“I was thinking about you joining me over here in my seat, then had a visual of you honking the horn with your ass.”

“I think that with our track record, we need to keep our exploits behind closed doors.” Josie reached down to the floorboard and grabbed her purse. “We should go inside.”

We got out of the car, and I walked Josie into the house and to her door. I was unable to resist stealing one more kiss before she disappeared inside for the night.

I turned and headed down the hallway toward the living room. Noah turned his head as I entered, muting the volume on the television.

---