Page 45 of Nanny for the Athletes

“The tab is getting long. Eventually you have to settle up!”

“So what do you say?” I asked, turning back to Beth. “Drinks on the town with me and the guys, while Christian watches Claire?”

I could see the excitement in Beth’s eyes. She wanted to say yes—and not just to a date. It was immediately obvious that she wanted to pick up where we left off last week.

But then she hesitated. “I’d love to, but… I’ve got to get all the dogs ready for bed, and update all their paperwork. Most of your teammates are picking them up first thing in the morning, so I have to do all of that tonight.”

“If you’re making an excuse because you don’t want to go out, then I totally understand and respect that,” I replied. “But if that’s the only thing keeping you from going out, then I can stay and help. It’ll go faster with two.”

“I’ve been helping!” Claire announced.

“Yes, you’ve been my amazing helper.” Beth turned back to me. “It’s not just an excuse. If we can get everything done relatively quickly…”

I clapped my hands and then began rolling up my sleeves. “All right, then. Claire, can you get Pickles and Heidi ready to go? Uncle Christian is going to have a slumber party with you tonight.”

“What’s a slumber party?” she asked.

I shared a look with Christian. This poor kid.

“It’s only the most fun thing in the world,” Christian said. “We’re going to put pajamas on, and make a blanket fort, and eat popcorn.”

“As long as we don’t watch sports,” Claire said. “Ihatesports.”

Christian deflated a little bit. I grinned at him and said, “You guys are going to have a blast.”

“Yeah!” Claire agreed. “A blast! What’s a blanket fort?”

“It’s a fort made of blankets. I’ll show you how to build one when we get home.”

“You have tobuildit? Like a house?”

Christian laughed. “Yes, but it’s really easy. I’ll show you. It’ll be fun.”

And Beth and I are going to have even more fun picking up where we left off.

20

Beth

I hadn’t expected to go out tonight. In fact, I hadreallybeen looking forward to finishing up what I was doing and relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine or three. The idea of showering and putting on makeup and getting dressed made me wince.

But with Braden standing there, grinning at me like he had allsortsof fun planned, I couldn’t possibly say no.

“Thanks for your help today,” I told Claire. “Can I get a hug?”

“Hugs are only for family,” she said.

“That’s not true! Friends hug, too.”

She shook her head. “No. Hugging isonly for family.” Claire wasn’t saying it from a place of trauma; she was simply stating a fact, like the sky was blue. Once again, I wondered what kind of environment she had been raised in.

“I’m your Uncle Christian. Do I get a hug?”

“You’re not arealuncle,” she replied while they got into the car with Heidi and Pickles. “You’re just a pretend one.”

“Oh. Okay then.” Christian gave me a smile and a wave. “You two have fun. But nottoomuch fun.”

“No promises!” Braden replied with a huge grin. As soon as they were gone, he turned to me and rolled up his sleeves. “Put me in, coach. Tell me what needs doing.”

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