Page 3 of New Year Nanny

I like a man who takes charge and guys my age tend not to do that. They don’t seem to know what they’re doing. And I firmly believe that if two people come together, one of them should know what they’re doing.

I have no idea what the hell I’m doing. I mean, I know what I want, but I don’t know how to ask for it.

“Maggie?”

The sound of my name on his lips just does something to me. Every time. I realize that he’s still waiting for my phone. I pull it out of my pocket, unlock it, and hand it over. He taps at it, scrolls a little, taps some more, then hands it back to me.

When I look down at my screen, I see that he’s programed his number in under Ezra. Why does that make my heart give a loud thump in my chest? He’s also texted himself with the message —Maggie’s number.

He must not realize that this just encourages my fantasies of him asking for my number for real, as if he wanted to ask me out.

“If you want to make anything for Cole, like…”

We both say the words “Hot Cocoa,” at the same time, then laugh.

“But only one cup,” I say because I know the rules and the reason behind them. Cole hyped up on sugar is not a fun Cole to be around.

“Sometimes I make him two smaller cups,” he says. “He’s too young to understand there’s less volume in each cup. Tonight’s a special occasion, so if you want to make him two smaller cups…”

I nod. “I was thinking we’d play a little and that I’d let him stay up until nine to watch the ball drop in New York.”

My heart rate goes up when he smiles at me. “He’ll love that. He knows I won’t be home before bed.”

And that reminds me he’s probably going out on a date. “Of course.”

“I’m sure my friend will try to make me stay until midnight or later.”

I bite my lip and nod to hold back questions about his friend. Sammy mentioned someone named Keith. But even if it’s just the two of them, they’ll probably be out on the prowl. I’m sure he’ll have no problem finding someone to kiss at midnight.

“You’re welcome to stay up or if you get tired, you can sleep in my bed.”

I choke on my own spit. Did I just hear him right?

His eyes bulge. “What I meant is that the guest room furniture went with Sammy and I haven’t had a chance to replace it. It’s kind of turned into a storage room. Since Cole will be sleeping, you can watch TV, play video games, use my VR headset or if you get tired, you can lay down in my bed.”

The thought of curling up on his bed has me vibrating. I imagine his musky smell surrounding me, along with his blankets.

I try to get words out, but they don’t come. Finally, I’m able to whisper, “thank you.”

He looks at his watch, then swears under his breath. “I have to go. Feel free to use whatever you need. I don’t know what time I’ll be home, so please don’t wait up. If you’re tired, get some sleep.”

I nod. Since he gave me permission, I’ll definitely be curling up in his bed, even if I don’t get a wink of sleep.

ChapterThree

Ezra

“Here he is,” Keith says when I rush in almost an hour late. “I told you he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to meet you, Muriel.”

All three of them turn to me. Keith, his current flavor of the month whose name I know starts with an R, and Muriel — my date.

I can’t deny that Muriel is attractive. She’s a statuesque blonde. She’s pretty enough with all the makeup and styling that you might even picture her on a runway somewhere. And yet, I can’t get my mind off silky raven hair with the rolling curves of an hourglass figure.

“Sorry I’m late. There was a miscommunication with my—“

“It’s fine, Keith interrupts. I explained everything about the miscommunication.”

I smile, relieved that Muriel doesn’t seem put out. She gives me a coy smile. When I sit next to her, she leans into my space under the guise of making sure I can hear her over the drone of conversation around us.

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