Page 27 of The Nanny and the Don
“What if I don’t like him? Did either of you consider that?”
“No, because we knew that you have eyes. Who wouldn’t have a crush on him? Not only is he fine, but he’s also rich. Miguel even swoons over him and he has a sexy ass husband. Under all that hard beastly exterior is a real softie. He doesn’t want to show it, but he can’t help it. When my mom was in the hospital, he gave me the entire two weeks off with pay and even covered her medical bills without me asking. Hell, we didn’t even know until the bill came in the mail showing that it was paid in full. When I asked him about it, he said that he didn’t need me stressing about medical bills when I was trying to do my job. He needed me present and happy so I could do a good job.”
“Sounds like he might have a thing for you,” I teased.
“Girl please. I’ve been here long enough for him to make a move if he wanted to. Most of the time it’s only us here. At first, I thought I was too young for him, he’s almost forty and I just turned twenty-seven. I’ve seen the women he entertains though. Age ain’t the issue. Either way, he barely notices me. I prefer it that way.”
“Why is that?” I wondered.
“For one, I like my job. The last thing I want to do is get involved with the boss and mess this up. Honestly, I find him intimidating. That and the fact that my second wedding anniversary is in a couple of weeks. My husband and I have been together for six years.”
“Happy early anniversary,” I said, smiling.
“Uh oh, there he is,” she said through tight lips.
My heart raced when I saw Mr. Gray walking out of his office. I didn’t mean to, but I almost sprinted back in the house. I didn’t want him to see me outside, but it was too late. The stern look on his face as he walked deeper into the kitchen showed that he wasn’t pleased with my ten-minute break.
“Hey, Uncle Steel,” King said, greeting his grumpy uncle as he leaned against the counter to observe us.
“Good morning, buddy,” Mr. Gray grumbled.
“OK, guys. You ready to eat?” I asked the kids, trying not to sound as nervous as I was.
“Yes!” King cheered.
“Let me make sure your food has cooled off,” I said, moving over to the counter.
The bowls were only warm to the touch, so I picked them up and placed them in front of the kids.
“OK, King, put some apples on top and let’s see what you think,” I instructed.
“What are you giving them? You should have asked them what they wanted to eat! Do you know how long it took Sicily to get the oatmeal off my walls and out of my carpet from them throwing it. He doesn’t eat oat—” Mr. Gray’s words were cut off by the sight of King stuffing a spoonful of the apple cinnamon oatmeal in his mouth.
“You were saying?” I smirked as I looked over at him.
For the first time ever, I saw a hint of a smile play on his lips. Maybe this evil man who’d torn me out of my boyfriend’s house in the middle of the night was human after all. Granted, he must have kept his humanity buried deep down somewhere. Satisfied with his faint smile as a response, I sat down to help Evie eat.
“I thought you didn’t like oatmeal, King.”
“It’s good, Uncle Steel. You got to learn how to make it with apples like Ms. Devy. Uncle Steel don’t put sugar in his oatmeal, Ms. Devy.”
“Her name is Devlan, King,” Mr. Gray corrected him.
“It’s OK for him to call me Devy. I think it’s cute. It’s like Evie,” I said, pinching her cheek and causing her to giggle.
“Where is your watch?” he asked, catching me off guard.
“You took it, remember?” I said, reminding him of how he’d taken my watch and stuffed it in his pocket. I assumed he was deducting it from what he perceived I owed him just for being affiliated with Brendan.
“The one I gave you,” he corrected.
“Oh, I left it upstairs. I didn’t think you meant to give me that. I actually was going to give it back to you later.”
“I’m well aware of what I’m doing. You don’t think I would have missed a diamond watch?”
“Why would you give me a diamond watch?” I frowned.
“Because I wanted you to have it. You are putting the kids on a schedule, and you need to be able to tell time.”
