5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
IZZY
Two hours had passed since I’d left Logan's house, and I still couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe I made too quick of a decision when I jumped at Maggie's offer.
In my defense, I really didn't consider the fact that I would have to deal with how much Logan disliked me. Did I think Maggie hiring me would magically make him like me, when his actions proved over the last few months that he didn't? And why the heck did it bother me so much? I sat down on my bed and shot off a text to my sister, Angie.
Me: So I might have done something crazy today...
Angie: Is that supposed to surprise me?
I rolled my eyes. But I couldn't blame her for teasing me. Izzy doing crazy, impulsive things wasn't news.
Me: Crazy, but now I'm second guessing it.
Angie. Oh. That's different.
Her name flashed across my screen and I slid the answer button over to accept her call. “You didn't have to call.”
“Eh. Wyatt's in Boston for meetings until tomorrow so I'm just sitting on the balcony listening to the ocean.”
I smiled, knowing exactly what he was doing in Boston. I'd already gotten two pictures earlier today of engagement rings. I couldn't wait until he actually proposed. He made my sister so incredibly happy. The type of love they had—one for the fairy tale books—was what I hoped to have one day.
“Izzy, you there?”
“Yeah, sorry. Just thinking.”
“Okay, so what happened and why are you regretting it?”
I filled her in on Maggie's job offer and my immediate jump at the opportunity. “The hours are perfect. I can still work at the hospital part-time, and seriously, the money they are willing to pay me is insane. I'll be able to pay off my debt and build my savings back up.”
“So what's the problem? Do you not like the kids or something?”
“The girls are amazing. So sweet and fun. We played soccer in the backyard, and they helped me make dinner.” I was almost surprised at how enjoyable I found the time I spent with them. I took a breath before admitting the real reason I was having second thoughts. “It's Logan. He obviously doesn't like me, and now I have to work for him.”
She chuckled. “I've told you before, I think it's because he does like you, but doesn't want to like you. That's how Wyatt was when I first started working for him.”
I scoffed. Our situations weren't anything alike. “I don't think that's it. He seems annoyed by my very presence.”
“You want this job?”
I leaned back against my pillow and bent one knee, bringing it to my chest and tapping out a rhythm with my fingers. “Yes. It's perfect. And I think I could really enjoy it.”
“Okay. So ignore the moody single dad and just do your job. He'll get over whatever his issue is eventually.”
I blew out a harsh breath. Was she right?
It didn't matter. I shouldn't care so much that he didn't like me.
I wanted—no, I needed—this job. So the days I was there, I'd do my job and not worry about his not-so-pleasant disposition. Easy enough, right?
* * *
Standing outside his front door the next morning, I squared my shoulders and knocked. I could do this. Ignore the big, growly man and his unpleasant attitude. No problem.
The door swung open and I stumbled back. Shocked wasn't a strong enough word for my reaction to what greeted me. Logan Murray was smiling. Not the biggest smile I'd ever seen, and I couldn't be sure it wasn't forced, but he wasn't sporting his normal scowl. I'd take it.
He stepped back and waved me in. “Come on in.”
I followed him inside, shutting the door behind me. Inside the kitchen area that opened to a large great room, he stopped and spun toward me, crossing his arms over his heather gray T-shirt. The smile was mostly gone, but he wasn't scowling. Still a win so far.
“The girls are still sleeping. You need to get them up in the next twenty minutes.”
I nodded. “Okay. Not a problem.”
His jaw clenched, and I braced for the scowl I sensed coming. He took a visible deep breath in and his gaze locked intently on my face.
“They like you.”
He said it like it was surprising. Did he think they weren't going to like me? Frankly, I'd yet to meet anyone, except for this man, who didn't like me.
“Okay...” I wasn't sure what kind of response he expected. “That's good.”
He nodded. “Yes, it is. They’ve had a crappy go of nannies in the last couple of years.” He shifted, almost uncomfortably.
I tilted my head, still not sure where he was going with this conversation or what I was supposed to say.
“I know you're young and...” He stopped, like he was searching for the right word. “Still figuring stuff out.”
I was? What was I supposed to be figuring out? “I'm not?—”
“I just want to prepare them if this is temporary for you.”
Oh. Oh . I softened at the overprotective dad interrogation. I couldn't blame him for wanting to look out for his babies.
“Don't worry, papa bear.” I smiled even though he was now back to scowling at me. “You all are stuck with me now.”
The tic was back in his jaw, and the scowl deepened.
Note to self: Don't poke the bear.
Although teasing him was fun. Just an occasional small poke to keep things interesting.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder as Nikki jumped from the second step from the bottom and they both raced past us into the kitchen.
Assuming our conversation was done, I turned to head after them.
“Izzy,” Logan growled.
A shiver raced down my spine at the way he said my name. What. The. Hell? I shouldn't be turned on by the grumpy dad who definitely didn’t seem to like me. I turned slowly, taking in his piercing gaze that anchored me to the spot. He closed the gap between us in three strides, and I had to tilt my head back to look up at him.
“I'm serious.” His lips pressed together into a thin line.
“I'm aware.” My lips twitched as I fought a smirk. Teasing him was truly a bad idea. Or maybe I wanted to hear him growl my name again. But I couldn't help it. I gave him my best cutesy smile and spun, leaving him standing there as I headed into the kitchen.
“Alright girls, what do you want for breakfast?”
“Pancakes?” Nikki asked a second before Alice piped up with, “Bacon?”
“How about both?”
They smiled, bouncing slightly on their stools that lined the other side of the island.
Logan stepped up behind them, wrapping an arm around each of them. “Have a good day at school.” He pressed a kiss to each of their heads.
“Bye, Daddy,” the twins chimed in unison.
He looked up and inclined his head to the front of the house. “Keys to the SUV and house are hanging by the door.”
I nodded. “Got it.”
He hesitated, staring at me, luckily without a scowl this time. Finally, he grabbed his duffel sitting by the entrance to the great room and threw the strap over his shoulder. One more quick glance our way and he was gone.
Thankfully, the twins would be with their mom for two days starting this afternoon. That would give me a two-day break from this confusing man who went from smiling to growling at me all in the span of fifteen minutes.