Page 48 of Curvy Nanny for the Cougar
I press a hand over my heart, because damn—this kid might just break me in the best way.
“Well, that’s quite an offer, Alex, but I think your dad can pick his friends. Now, time for our story,” I say softly, kissing his forehead.
“Okay,” Alex says seriously, blinking up at me like he’s solving the world’s biggest mystery, “but I think maybe you should ask Dad if you can be his friend.”
I bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing or crying.
Honestly, it could go either way.
“Hmm,” I hum, adjusting his pillow and smoothing back his hair. “Maybe we’ll see where things go.”
I mean, what else can I say to that? How do you tell a kid you’re doing everything you can not to fall completely in love with his dad when you’re already so far gone it’s laughable?
Still smiling and trying very hard not to get all misty-eyed, I reach for the storybook and flip it open to the page we left off on last night.
Alex’s grin softens into something sleepy and sweet. “Good. ’Cause I think you’d make an awesome mom.”
A sharp ache flares in my chest, and my eyes burn. But I blink fast and push the tears back where they belong.
“You ready to start the story?” I whisper, voice thick with emotion.
He nods, already halfway to dreaming. “Yep. Thanks, Tam.”
I turn off the overhead light, flick on the little book light clipped to the headboard, and begin to read.
My voice is soft, familiar, curling through the room like magic.
One hand turns the page, the other curls against my chest, covering the place where my heart has just completely cracked open.
And for the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself hope.
I know this story by heart—every line, every twist—so my thoughts wander.
To him.
To Dane.
Sexy AF dad.
Devoted father.
Unreasonably hot guy.
And apparently, the most confusing man I’ve ever almost-loved.
Who are you kidding? You’re already there, Tam.
I ignore my inner voice and keep reading.
But Alex’s words echo in my mind, little truth-bombs lobbed straight into my chest.
Maybe you could be my dad’s person.
God. If only.
But he’s been so distant.
Kind. Polite. Professional.
