Chasing His Nanny: A dad's best friend, age gap, single dad romance (Chasing Her Book 1)

2. Bree

“Hello, Bree. Did you enjoy your time away?” Mrs. Smyth asks as I walk into the kitchen.

“Yes, thanks. I had the best time, but I missed everyone. And I really missed your food.”

“Sit down and I’ll feed you.”

That’s what she does. It’s like she loves to feed everyone—me included.

She’s worked as a cook and cleaner for this family since the twins were born. Dr. Havers initially employed her to help his wife, Madeline, when she suffered from post-natal depression.

She places a hot coffee and a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and an English muffin in front of me. My eyelids drop as I chew on the smokey rasher.

“You need a nap,” Doctor Havers says when I finish my plate of food.

I really do. “Thank you, that was delicious.” I yawn again.

Mrs. Smyth’s mischievous eyes meet mine as she takes my plate away. “Did you meet a nice man?”

“No. It was a girls’ trip.” My eyes wander to Dr. Havers, who gives me a look that says, “are you going to tell her what you did?”

Ignoring him, I yawn, again slamming my hand over my mouth. “I need my bed.”

“Go. I’ll wake you in an hour,” Mrs. Smyth says. “You won’t be able to sleep tonight if you sleep any longer.”

“I doubt that. I could sleep for an entire week straight. I’m exhausted.”

Mrs. Smyth waggles her eyebrows. A small snigger before she asks, “Are you sure you didn’t meet anyone?”

I grin at her. She’s always telling me to date, but I don’t. I don’t know why. I suppose I’m not ready. “And I told you it was a girls’ trip.”

She nods, knowingly. Not that she does. “That’s not what I asked you. You’re very evasive. It’s just a yes or a no.”

Bast clears his throat. “It’s just a yes or no answer, Bree. Put Mrs. Smyth out of her misery.”

She pats the top of my hand. “You know I want to live vicariously through you.”

I chuckle. “You need to find a better candidate, because I’m the most boring person in the world.”

“Is that a yes or no?” Dr. Havers arches an eyebrow.

I wave my hand in the air dismissively. “It’s a no.”

He narrows his eyes, because he thinks I’m lying. I turn back to Mrs. Smyth. “I’m only tired because of the flight and late nights in New York. Jeez, that city is something else. One day, I’m going back to see everything I missed.”

Dr. Havers grunts behind me. “Are you going to bed?”

What’s his problem?

I nod and go to grab my suitcase, but Dr. Havers doesn’t let go. “I’ll take your suitcase to your room before I go to work.”

“Thank you. I’ll just get a glass of water,” I say, striding across the ivory porcelain tiled floor where I stare out at the garden as I pour myself a drink.

“Make sure you put your dirty clothes in the laundry,” Mrs. Smyth calls out as she leaves the room.

I wake hours, maybe days later, and still so utterly tired that my bones feel like they’ve gone soft and squishy, and don’t want to move. So I don’t. I stare at the ceiling before I glance around my room.

My bedroom is on the same floor as the children. One of three on this level.

Dr. Havers bedroom is on the floor above. His room is out of bounds, so I’ve not been up there since he was sick, and I took him a bowl of soup and some aspirin.

His bedroom is more like a suite with a sitting area, walk-in closet, and enormous bathroom. It’s so big it covers the entire top floor.

I lean across the bed and grab my phone, which I muted before I went to sleep. I check my messages. The first from my mother. I groan as I read it.

Mom: Can you come for dinner on Saturday evening? Dan and Belinda’s son is coming, and I thought it would be nice for you two to catch up.

Did you have a lovely trip, Bree?

I sigh.

My father wants me to study for what he thinks is a respectable job. Or more importantly, following him into law. But my mother would like me married off and give her the grand babies she seems so desperate for.

I’m not interested in going for dinner, but know if I respond to her now, she’ll not relent, so I right now I hold back on my reply.

There’s a knock on my door.

“Come in,” I shout, pulling the covers over my naked body.

I was so tired I don’t remember taking my clothes off.

The door creaks open and Dr. Havers stands in the hallway. The overhead light casting a warm hue over his perfect face. He is wearing a suit. The pants fit perfectly over his muscular thighs—I know they are muscular. I’ve often spied his body when he’s gardening or playing with the children on his days off.

He could wear anything as far as I’m concerned. I’ve seen him in his scrubs, and he looks just as sexy. “I’m going to work, but I thought I’d check on you.”

“I’m fine.”

He clears his throat. “And about what I said earlier…” He coughs to clear the stickiness in his throat again. “I was out of order.”

Deep down, I’m upset he’s no longer bothered. I wanted for once, for him to feel something for me, but I know he’ll never look at me the way I want him to.

Maybe I should date other men. I’m wasting my life and time waiting for him to see me.

Amber is so, so right.

Maybe Daniel Junior is a good start. My mother told me how well he is getting on at his job in finance in the city. And I know he is looking mighty fine.

“Honestly, forget it. I already have.” I glance away from his whiskey eyes and stare at the ceiling.

“Okay.”

“Oh. Will we be back from the zoo in time for me to go to my parents’ for dinner?” I ask, turning back to him.

He narrows his eyes in confusion. “I would imagine so.”

I nod. “Thanks.” I laugh. “My parents are trying to marry me off to Dan and Belinda’s son. You know Daniel junior, don’t you?”

He chews on his lip as he nods slowly. “I was going to ask you to look after the children. I have a function on Saturday evening.”

Really? This is the first I’ve heard about it.

“You’re going to a function after the zoo?” I ask, surprise lacing my words. I’m giving up my day off to take his children out for the day and he’s already roped me into looking after them for the evening.

What a fucking nerve.

I narrow my eyes but try to stop the snarl on my mouth and the words I want to tell him. Yes, I’m jealous. I hate he’s got another date.

I really need a new job.

I can’t do this.

I can’t see him every day and know he’s actively looking for a partner when he always claims he doesn’t want anyone else.

“What will you do if I don’t change my day off? You know what my mother is like,” I ask.

“Their grandparents have asked to see the children more often. I’ll ask them.”

I swallow. “I’ll let you know.”