Chapter 5 Holly
HOLLY
For a second, we all freeze as Sophie covers her daddy in vomit before she lets out a sob, and Camden, the big, broody bastard of a hot dad he is, presses his lips to her head, calming her like she didn’t just turn his hoodie into a piece of abstract art.
So not just hot dad but good dad.
That I can work with.
“Guess she’s not into auditions,” I murmur as I grab a clean washcloth from the drawer and run it under warm water.
“Not funny,” he groans, his green eyes seeming tired as I approach, and my brother gags.
“It’s a little funny.” I gently clean Sophie up, then dab at Camden’s chest, trying to keep a straight face while he tenses, again.
It’s in the way his jaw is clenched and the tightness pulling at the corner of his eyes. And under all the craziness, Sophie just blinks up at me, huge tears pooling in her pretty eyes. Eyes the same shade of green as her daddy’s.
I’d think this man doesn’t know how to relax based on today, but I’d be wrong. When we met at the pharmacy, it was like he was a different person. He was funny and flirty and so at ease with himself, it bordered on cocky. Completely different from the man standing in front of me now.
“Here,” I sigh, taking a chance and sliding the baby into my arms before Camden has a chance to protest. “You deal with your shirt, and I’ll take care of little Miss Sophie.”
For the first time, his eyes morph from hesitation to something that almost looks like relief before it’s quickly masked, and I get the distinct impression he doesn’t like asking anyone for help. Even if that’s the entire reason he’s here.
Camden pulls his hoodie over his head, muttering a curse under his breath, while I rock Sophie gently in my arms, attempting to ignore the flash of golden skin that nearly blinds me when his shirt slides up his chest with his hoodie.
Dragging my eyes away from the gorgeous man, I press my lips against Sophie’s soft skin until she’s calm and blinking up at me. “I’ve got you.”
She settles instantly, wrapping her chubby little finger around my hair and tugging as her sobs slow and eventually stop.
Babies are a great judge of character. They can smell fear and frustration, and Camden has been broadcasting both like a bad cologne.
When I finally look back up, he’s standing on the other side of the counter, a tight gray T-shirt straightened and back in place and covering the abs I just got a glimpse of, scrubbing his chest with another towel.
His green gaze locks on me with Sophie in my arms, and for a fleeting second, something hides behind his eyes before it’s gone and exhaustion takes its place.
Luke clears his throat, grinning like he’s the million-dollar matchmaker for nannies. “I told you, she’s a natural.”
I shoot him a look. “Smug doesn’t look good on you, Lucas. I haven’t said yes yet.”
“Yet.” He winks and lifts his chin. “You already love her. Admit it.”
I hate when my brother is right, almost as much as I hate the thought of working for Camden. Not because I can’t use the money, or any kind of job that would get me away from the vineyard at Christmas. But because working for a man who looks like this one seems like cruel and unusual punishment.
I haven’t been this attracted to anyone in nearly two years, and I’m not sure what that says about me, other than I’m probably making a really bad decision.
I mean, what can go wrong when you’ve been dreaming about jumping your new boss’s bones ever since he bought you feminine products? “What exactly are you looking for?”
There we go. At least that sounded semi-professional.
The tightness Camden’s holding in his shoulders loosens a smidge, and I’m reminded how good relaxed looks on this man.
“I need someone to take care of Sophie when I’m at practice and games.
You’d need to stay with her when we travel.
Sometimes that’s overnight, and sometimes it’s just late nights.
I’d want you to move in to make things more seamless for Soph.
Days off would vary depending on our schedule, but if I’m home, you wouldn’t have to be on the clock.
I’ll wake up with her at night and in the mornings.
I’m not looking for someone to do it for me, just for when I’m not there. ”
“I’m going to go find Dad while you guys talk it out.” Luke waves before slipping out the side door like a thief in the night. One who might have taken my sanity with him because I’m actually considering this.
I hope Dad asks him to deal with the damn reindeer while he’s here.
“He said you have a degree in babies,” Camden says quietly, completely different from any other version of this man I’ve met so far.
This isn’t flirty Camden or broody Camden. This is protective dad Camden, and I think I like this version even better.
“Early childhood development,” I correct him as I keep my eyes focused on the sweet baby sucking her thumb.
Her daddy crosses his big arms over his damp chest, and I force myself not to drool. Not an easy feat considering the way the thin cotton clings to his muscles. “What does that mean?”
What does what mean . . . ?
Oh shit. Right. He asked a question.
“It means I’ve got a master’s degree in babies,” I singsong in a voice that makes Sophie smile, and my heart melts a little in return.
“No, seriously,” I smile at the man in front of me.
“It’s the study of the physical, emotional, and social development of children from birth through eight years old.
I also have a master’s in autism studies as well. ”
“You sound overqualified to be a nanny,” he points out, and I want to laugh, but I don’t want to startle Sophie.
“I am. But I need a job, and you need help. I’m not permanent help, but I’d be willing to commit to the end of the season while I look for something in my field.”
“We haven’t even talked salary,” he bristles, seeming surprised I agreed so quickly.
“The whole city knows how much your last contract was for, Camden. I might not have put your face with your name, because honestly, I don’t really care about football enough to know who the players are.
But I know you can afford me. And my brother is your center.
I’m pretty sure you’re not going to screw me over. ”
He stares at me for a long beat, one light-brown brow furrowed as if in deep thought. Most likely trying to decide whether he’s really okay with the crazy girl from the pharmacy and Sweet Temptations nannying for his baby.
Maybe I can help him with that too. I soften my voice and sway gently with Sophie in my arms. “I think this could work out for both of us, Camden.”
“You sure you want to do this?” he rasps, maybe still looking for an out.
One I’m not going to give him.
I glance down as Sophie’s tiny hand fists one of my loose curls, and a soothing warmth spreads through me before I look back up at Camden. Gorgeous, broody, frustrating Camden. “How about we see how this weekend goes and talk about it after?”
“I’ve got an away game tomorrow,” he warns.
“I know.”
“You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”
“Nope.” I shake my head, smiling. “Easy is boring.”
“I’m sorry. Could you repeat that?” Hadley stares at me in shock as I throw the last of my clothes into my bag. “Hot dad from the coffee shop is Luke’s teammate, and he was just downstairs . . . with his baby, and he wants you to be his nanny?”
Ryleigh’s mouth hangs open as she stares at our sister. “Why should she repeat it when you just did?”
“Do you two ever stop fighting?” Rainey asks from where she’s leaning against the door, her arms crossed over her chest, the ever-present, oldest-sister scowl firmly in place before she turns that glare on me.
Then it morphs into more of a pitying purse of her lips.
“A nanny, Holly? Really? If you wanted to do that, you could do it for me.”
I squirm under her eyes. My sister and I would never be able to work together. Rainey is too much of a control freak, and I’m . . . well, I’m not. “It’s not permanent. Just for a few months until I can find something in my field. And I didn’t make any promises past giving it a try.”
“Exactly how hot is hot dad?” Ryleigh asks Hadley, then lies back on the bed, clutching my stuffed bunny against her chest. “Ohh, and how old is he? I’m trying to get a visual.”
I yank my sweater out from under her head as Hadley hands Ryleigh her phone. “I’m saying he’s at least thirty.”
What the hell?
“Ohhh . . .” Ryleigh hisses as she blows up whatever photo she’s looking at. “Now that’s a hot daddy.”
I grab the phone from her hand and see the playback from one of the security cameras. It’s Camden walking in earlier, holding Sophie protectively against him. The muscles in his arms are bulging, but he holds her so gently, my ovaries ache. My sisters aren’t wrong. He’s definitely hot.
“According to Wikipedia, he’s thirty-two, never been married, has one sister, and is on his second NFL team,” Rainey adds, her face buried in her Google app. “But it doesn’t mention anything about a baby or a baby momma.”
“Well, I’ve met Sophie, and she’s the sweetest little thing.
” I look away and shove the last of my clothes in the bag, then toss in my makeup case.
“He seems . . . private,” I add. “But Luke had good things to say about him, and it’s a job.
One I’m taking, for now. I already let Dad know, and now you do too. ”
“I mean, I guess this was one way to get out of being Mrs. Claus,” Hadley grumbles.
“Maybe Sophie can see Nanny kissing Santa under the mistletoe,” Ryleigh snickers. “I’d kiss him.”
And shit . . . anger flares at that idea.
Anger I have no business feeling.
He’s my new boss, not my boyfriend.
“You’d probably drop to your knees and blow him,” Hadley laughs, and Ryleigh shoves her off the bed.
Yeah . . . I’d probably do that too.
Not that I’m going to.
No blowing the boss.
“I’m not kissing him. I’m taking care of his baby. This is just a job,” I tell them and myself. And maybe if I say it enough times, I’ll believe it too.