“Would you please agree with me that finding the nanny is the most important thing?”

He scowls, staring down the driveway. It has been a long time for him too. Cole’s mother broke his heart. In fact, Boone just started talking about women again this year. That means it took him two and a half years to get over what she did to him.

But I am not going to go dragging him through that again. What is the point?

“Yeah, it would be nice to know the kids were taken care of. Focus on getting that gig in Ireland.”

“Now you’re talking,” I agree enthusiastically. “And who knows what could happen in Ireland, right?”

“Yeah, who knows,” he agrees sullenly.

“Yeah, who knows,” I smile.

That’s cool. If Boone and I are on the same page, we can keep an eye on Harrison and make sure he isn’t nailing the nanny. As long as we have a majority, we can stay on track.

And as long as she doesn’t stare at me with those sky-blue eyes too hard. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to resist that.

Chapter 5

JOLENE

As it turns out, Emily was right. Iamamazing at this.

And the guys work all the time. So even though it looks like the start of a porno every morning, with three shirtless hunks walking around the kitchen drinking coffee and posing (sometimes, I swear they are actually posing), I have been able to resist.

I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

But it does help me concentrate on the kids. Who are absolutely adorable.

Emily actually helped me pack and everything. It only took a couple of hours. She whistled the whole time. I didn’t even know she can whistle. Wow, the things you find out about people.

The next day, some other guy showed up at Emily’s apartment and offered to carry my stuff to the truck that was idling in the driveway. I didn’t even have to carry anything.

Emily toasted my exit with a Coors Light at 10 a.m.

“Good luck! You’re going to be great!”

“Yeah, okay!” I answered enthusiastically.

That was all it took.

With all my stuff in a new room, in a new house, I was on a totally new path. Brand-new life. Kind of a do-over, even.

Later that day, Amber arrived. I was just standing in my new room, looking at my new closet and dresser, wondering where to start.

“Hey, hi!” she called out from my doorway, waving. “I’m Amber… I thought it would be helpful if I showed you the ropes?”

“Oh my God, yes, totally!” I sighed in relief.

Harrison’s ex-wife, I knew, and I was prepared for it to feel weird somehow. But it wasn’t. She showed me around, cradling Harmony in her left arm while Cole and Alexis bounced along happily behind us.

Sort of like baby ducks, really. The kids just organized themselves into a line behind us, naturally staying in a safe distance.

“So, all the formula is in here,” Amber explained, holding open a cabinet door in the kitchen and waving her index finger back and forth in front of the shelf of matching canisters.

“Formula, right…” I repeated dutifully.

“Yes, and you love it, don’t you!” she cooed gently at the infant, stroking the bottom of her chubby pink cheeks.