13. Cameron
“Hop in, Mills,” I encourage, reaching for a cart at the grocery store.
Shaking her head, she grins adorably and counters, “I walk, Daddy.”
It’s the weekend and although I’d love nothing more than to get through the store, I’m not in a hurry. I give in and go at her pace. “Okay, but hold onto the cart so I don’t get lost.”
The trick with toddlers is to give them something to do. If she has a job, then I rarely need to worry about her wandering off. We’re only popping into the store for a few things and at this hour, the tourists are hardly ever up.
“Want some cereal?” I ask, turning down the cereal and coffee aisle. I’m here for coffee, but we may as well stock up while we’re here.
Her little feet rush down the aisle, stopping where her favorite leprechaun sits on a shelf at her height. She plucks the box off the shelf, then runs back, reaches up onto her toes, and pushes the box into the cart. Once it plops inside, she’s eager to help again. “What’s next, Daddy?”
“Let’s pick up some eggs and milk,” I suggest, turning the corner.
Hmmmm… What else do I need? Maybe I should pick up some Gogurts and some of that coffee creamer I know Lizzy likes while were in this section , too?
The way Lizzy lit up when she saw the peppermint creamer in my fridge makes it worth my while to pop by the store when we’re running low. I may not be able to date her, but there’s nothing wrong with going out of my way to earn a smile from her, is there?
Pointing across the aisle, I add, “I’ll grab the eggs if you want to get some Gogurts.”
“Yay!” She scurries to one side of the aisle, while I open the refrigerator door on the other.
If you’d asked me pre-child if I’d be buying yogurts in a pouch, instead of family-sized containers like I had as a kid, I would’ve laughed in your face.
But those little snacks are worth their weight in gold.
First, she eats the entire thing. Next, when I put some in the freezer, she thinks she’s getting a special treat when I pull it out.
Third, she can get it for herself when needed. That right there is priceless.
While I’m checking to see that all the eggs are intact, I hear Milli shout something excitedly, but I don’t fully catch it over the fan with my head inside the fridge. I turn back in time to catch my daughter jump up and down and throw herself at a man’s leg in a bear hug.
What the actual fuck?
My body’s suddenly on full alert.
Why is she hugging a complete stranger?
Standing to my full height, I quickly approach them.
This man is huge and muscular and towers over my six-foot frame. But he’s got another thing coming if he messes with my baby girl.
My sudden rage dissipates a little when his words register.
“Hey, squirt.” The stranger laughs out, ruffling her hair as she clings to him. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Emilia?” comes out as I shorten the distance between us, making my presence known.
My daughter is as shy as they come with strangers. Clearly, she knows him.
Or she thinks she does?
Fuck, what the hell is going on?
She’s grinning at him like he’s hung the moon, and I’ve never seen this man in my life.
As I approach, the tall man my daughter’s still holding onto reaches out his hand. “Hi, I’m Ryan. You must be Cameron Kruse, Milli’s dad.”
Slowly, I reach out and shake his hand, darting my focus from my daughter to him.
Obviously, she knows him. But how?
When she still doesn’t let go, Ryan laughs once more. “I met this little squirt the other day while she learned to ride her balance bike,” as if that should explain everything. To her, he looks down and asks, “Have you figured it out yet?”
“Uh-huh.” Milli nods proudly. “I can turn, too. My Iz and Daddy help me.”
“Your Iz?” Ryan nods knowingly. “She’s a pretty special lady, isn’t she?”
“You know Lizzy?” I clarify, forcing my brain to connect the dots.
It’s not every day my daughter hugs strangers, but if he knows Lizzy, he can’t be too bad.
But that doesn’t mean I have to like him.
Eyeing him speculatively, I realize he’s closer to Lizzy’s age than mine. Maybe she’s met someone this summer? I mean—it’s possible. She is from Seaside. Maybe they’ve reconnected now that she’s returned. After all, she’s young, single, and extremely attractive.
Hell, she’s more than that. She’s the total package.
When I hired her as Milli’s nanny, we agreed that we couldn’t keep seeing each other, but does that mean she’s moved on?
Why does the thought of her dating someone make me want to throat punch him?
Instinctively, my hands curl into fists as I wait for his response.
“Yeah.” Ryan nods slowly, looking me over with care. When his eyes land on my tightly clenched fists, he quickly adds, “I’m her brother-in-law. I’ve married the only Lancaster that doesn’t work for you… apparently.”
“Work for me?” I repeat.
Damn, my brain is slow on the uptake.
Thankfully, I finally register his actual words— in-law .
Relief washes through me, and the stress I didn’t know I’d been holding onto dissipates.
God, I’m an idiot.
Ryan continues, thankfully clueless of my internal struggle. “I’m Lanie’s husband. I’m not sure when the others will be married, but apparently, almost our entire family works for you.”
“It is a small world,” I admit as all our invisible strings connect in my mind.
“No kidding,” a woman who resembles Lizzy states as she joins us. “Hey, Milli. How’s it going?” To me, she holds out her hand and introduces herself. “I’m Lanie, Lizzy’s oldest sister. You must be Cameron, the proud father of this pint-sized peanut.”
Her smile replicates Lizzy’s as she points to my daughter—who has yet to let go of her husband.
“Yep. I most certainly am,” I say, puffing my chest proudly.
Milli finally releases Ryan’s leg and looks around. “Where’s my Iz?”
“Oh, she’s at home sleeping… I think,” Lanie muses.
“Not everyone gets up at the crack of dawn like you,” I tease my daughter.
Lanie clears her throat, and I catch her nodding knowingly at her husband.
He agrees to her unspoken message with a nod.
She suddenly turns and asks, “Do the two of you have plans today? We’re barbequing and having a bonfire at the beach.”
My daughter squeals, “We see my Iz?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose.”
Batting a hand in the air, Lanie shakes her head. “Don’t feel obligated, but honestly the more the merrier. My sisters, their fiancés, and Ryker are joining us.”
Milli puts her hands together and pleads, “Please, Daddy? I wanna see my Iz.”
“Honey, it’s her day off,” I warn, not wanting to intrude.
Lanie quickly assures me, “Oh, she won’t mind. Besides, you’re new in town. You’ve already met everyone, and we’d love to have you.”
“If you’re sure,” I draw out, wondering what Lizzy will think of our sudden invasion.
“Perfect. Why don’t you pop by the house anytime after three this afternoon. You have our address, right?” Lanie asks.
Nodding, I admit, “I do. Should I bring anything?”
“Nothing but yourselves. We’ve got everything covered. We’re picking up last-minute things now.”
“If you change your mind and need something, let me know. I can easily pop into a store if needed,” I offer.
“You’ve got a tiny human to care for. I’m sure being at the store once in a day is more than enough. Besides…” Her brows waggle as she looks to her husband. “We’ve got plenty of other gofers to fetch anything we’d need. Just bring hoodies and warmer clothes for when the sun goes down.”
Compared to California, the weather in Seaside is much cooler. I swear it’s hoodie season all summer. However, it’s unusually warm this week, or so I’m told. I’ll pack appropriate things for Mills and myself, beyond her usual diaper bag.
We say our goodbyes and get back to shopping. Just as they reach the end of the aisle, Ryan turns and asks, “Can Milli bring her bike? I’d love to see her riding solo!”
Milli beams in excitement, and I’m certain Ryan’s just become her new favorite person.
*****
Milli is so eager to see “Her Iz” as she refers to Lizzy, that I can hardly get her down for a nap.
Of course, that means she is out cold when it’s time to finally leave for the barbeque.
Knowing she’ll never sleep tonight if she doesn’t get up soon, I opt to wake her instead of letting her rise naturally.
As I approach her door, I pray to the toddler gods, she won’t be cranky.
The moment she hears the door snick open, my worry is forgotten as she bolts out of bed and gasps with excitement, “Is it time to see My Iz?”
“Yes, baby girl. Let’s get you ready.”
The moment her feet hit the floor, she bolts to the bathroom and changes from her Pull-Up.
While we’re in there, I convince her to let me brush her hair and teeth.
In a well-practiced move, I quickly pull her hair back into two braids to keep it from being a tangled mess from the ocean breeze.
The moment we’re done, Milli shouts, “Let’s go, Daddy! I wanna see My Iz.”
You and me both, kiddo.
I’m not sure if it’s Milli’s eagerness or the mere thought of spending the evening with Lizzy that’s got me amped up as well.
As weird as things started, we’ve settled into a routine.
She shows up before I need to be at work, I join them in any activity they have going on if my schedule allows, and she goes home at night.
I know my daughter thinks she’s incredible, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss her on days we don’t see her either.
For the last week or so, I’ve taken to working late at night once Milli’s asleep, just so I can catch an outing at the aquarium or the bookstore with the girls during the day.
Sure, I want to spend time with my daughter, but I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit Lizzy factors into my new late-night work routine.
Pulling into her driveway, my pulse quickens.
I’ve tried keeping things professional between us, and I truly hope our coming today isn’t a mistake.
But there’s no way I could disappoint Milli—or myself for that matter if I’m being honest. Even if I can’t act upon my feelings, I find myself drawn to Elizabeth Lancaster in a way I’ve never experienced.
Fuck, that right there is why I shouldn’t be looking forward to seeing her.
She is Milli’s nanny, dipshit.
Milli’s obvious attachment to “her Iz” should be reason enough to keep my distance from Lizzy. I’ve never seen her bond with anyone like this—my family included. I can’t afford to fuck up our arrangement. We agreed to put things on ice for the sake of this job.
But what about when the summer ends?
Geez, man, get it together.
You have no business thinking about Lizzy like this.
She’s your daughter’s freaking nanny. Hell, who am I kidding?
Seeing how she interacts with my daughter makes her more intriguing than when I joked around with her at the coffee shop.
I look forward to spending time with her any way I can—even if it is with her entire family at this freaking barbeque.
By the time Milli knocks on the door, my nerves are fried.
Why the hell did I agree with this?
When the door flies open, Jax puts my nerves at ease, “Hey, man! It’s good to see you.” Reaching out to shake my hand, he pulls me in for a man hug and thwacks me on the back before turning his attention to my daughter. “You must be the infamous Milli! I’ve heard so much about you.”
“My Iz here?” Milli asks, looking around his legs into the house.
“She sure is!” Jax beams. “I hope you’ve brought that bike of yours. I need to see for myself how fast you can ride that thing!”
“Is that you, Mills?” a voice I recognize as Ryan’s calls from inside.
That’s all the invitation she needs.
My sprite of a child darts by Jax into the house, clearly making herself at home.
“Apparently, she knows where she’s going.” Jax chuckles. Turning to me, he asks, “Do you need help bringing anything in?”
“Nah, I’m good. But I’d better get her bike, or I’ll never hear the end of it.” I chuckle. “That girl has been on a mission all day. No one had better get in the way of seeing ‘Her Iz.’ She’s had a one-track mind since receiving the invite.
“I sure hope Lizzy knows how much Emilia has taken to her,” I say more to myself than to Jax as I watch her disappear around the corner.
Jax pats me on the arm and says, “Oh, I’m certain the feeling’s mutual. Liz raves about her any chance she gets. Go get that bike. I hope you brought your appetite.” He thumbs over his shoulder. “They’ve been cooking all day.”