Chapter 31 Emma #2
“Yes, I can show you proof if you’d like. I have pictures on my phone with my ex.” He shrugs, taking out his phone.
Cecilia looks at me with huge eyes as she places her hand on his arm, stopping him midway. “That won’t be necessary. We believe you.”
“All right. So now, if I’m not mistaken, you’d like me to start at the beginning of June, right? And your organization launches at the end of July?”
“Yes. We thought it would be good for the kids to get used to being around you with us still being there. It wouldn’t be every day, but maybe two or three times a week, if that’s okay with you?” Cece asks him.
“Of course,” he nods.
“Oh! We should take him on vacation with us. We’ll probably want to have a night off alone with the boys or just have a romantic dinner without the kids.
We’re leaving the first week of July and going to a private island resort for two weeks.
Everything would be paid for you, and you’d also get paid for your time with us, too,” I say.
“Ooh! That’s actually a really good idea. Yes! Say you’ll come?” Cece clasps her hands eagerly.
“A free vacation? Where I get paid to be there?” Sam laughs. “How could I say no?”
Just then the baby monitor turns on, and Gracie’s roars come through.
“Seems Little Tulip is up. Which means Dante won’t be far behind.
Ready to meet the little ones?” I stand from my stool, bouncing on my heels as I walk backward toward the stairs, spinning back around when I see Sam and Cecilia following me.
An hour later, we end up heading over to Morgan’s place after she invited the whole gang over for some pool time and dinner.
Even if we’re only halfway through April, it’s one of those rare and warm sunny days.
Besides, Morgan and Clay’s pool happens to be heated, so we’re taking advantage of the beautiful weather.
Since the boys are due home from their away game near 5:00 and we really wanted Grey and Sy to meet Sam, we decided to bring him along and have him stay for dinner, giving the men a chance to get to know each other.
“Are you sure it’s all right for me to join you all?” Sam questions from the passenger seat.
“Of course. We’re always all together, so you’ll be around everyone often.
Might as well meet them now. Plus, I’d really like my husband to meet you ahead of time.
But if you have other plans for the evening, then it can wait,” Cecilia reassures him from between the two car seats.
She’s tiny, so it made sense for her to sit in the back.
Sam had offered, but there was no way he could fit back there.
“No other plans. I’d be happy to meet all the people involved in the kids’ lives. It helps me see how they interact with others and pick up on little things they may associate with movements or sounds,” he says, smiling back at the kids.
As predicted, Gracie was a bit reluctant when he first came to her, but within minutes, she was crawling to him and asking to be picked up. Dante was happy to have a new friend to play with and instantly ran to Sam with his hockey stick.
When we arrive at Morgan’s and climb out of my SUV, Sam immediately goes to the back door and unclips Gracie, taking her out of her seat while I go to the trunk and collect the diaper bags.
When I close the trunk, I notice Cecilia holding her son’s hand but looking across the street with a hint of a flush and smile.
When I turn to see what has caught her attention, I find Morgan’s new neighbor standing by his door, leaning against the frame with a stack of mail in his hands and a silly, way too small and exposing robe barely holding onto that muscular body.
He must sense us staring, because he instantly looks up from the mail, gives us a devilish smirk, and waves. Cecilia turns around and walks toward the house quickly while I giggle, shaking my head and waving back to the mostly naked man.
What is it with all these ridiculously gorgeous men around here?
“Well, isn’t that a sight,” Sam says with a laugh, but I don’t miss the slight lust in his eyes when he looks back at the neighbor as we make our way to the door. Yup, definitely into men.
“Yes, it sure is. Although the boys aren’t too pleased with it.” I laugh as we enter and lead Sam to the rest of the girls.
“HA! Oh, Jesus! This is too good! Silas is going to lose it!” Ronnie bursts out laughing, and Morgan places her hand over her mouth, suppressing her giggles.
“Silas? Have you ever seen the violent look Grey gets in his eyes every time the twins touch Em?” Aubrey tells her with wide eyes and a worried expression.
“I’m about to have two very angry men in my house, aren’t I?” Morgan asks, still giggling.
“Hey! Don’t blame us. It’s all Ronnie’s fault. She’s the one who gave us the idea to hire a male nanny.” Cecilia narrows her eyes toward Ronnie. “Now I’m about to die because of you.”
“Oh, stop it. Silas will be mad for all of two minutes. Then he’ll bring you home, carry you up those stairs like the caveman he is, and spank you until you’re unable to sit for a week.” I give her a knowing look while the girls all nod in agreement.
When I look at Sam, he simply watches us with an amused smile on his lips. “Anyway, everyone, this is Sam. Dante and Gracie’s new nanny as of June. Sam, this is Aubrey Ford. Gracie’s aunt and Greyson’s sister,” I introduce with a gesture of the hand in her direction.
He puts Little Tulip down on the floor and walks over to Brey, taking her hand in his and shaking it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I could tell you were family by the striking resemblance you have with Gracie,” he says with a warm smile.
“Oh God, he has an accent? You two are so screwed,” Morgan giggles again.
I shake my head with a grin. “This here is Morgan Burkley. She’s married to Clay Burkley and is usually the one in charge of cooking.
She’s amazing, but if you’re nice, she might let you take over tonight,” I tell Sam before turning to Morgan.
“Sam wants to open his own restaurant one day. I thought he could show us what he’s got tonight.
Maybe it will appease the men a bit with the news. ”
He takes her hand next. “Thank you for having me in your home. And it would be my absolute pleasure to cook for you all.”
“As long as you make more than enough, I’m willing to lend you my kitchen for the night. Hockey players have the appetite of a lion.” She offers a genuine smile in return.
“And this here with the hot-pink hair is Veronica Masters. But her hair probably won’t be the same color next time you see her. Love the hair by the way, girl,” I tell her.
“Yeah, lost my job, so I’m now back to my crazy self.” She shrugs before taking Sam’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Sam.” She studies him for a moment before a humored smile takes over her face. “You’re gay, aren’t you?”
Sam throws his head back and laughs. “That obvious?”
“No actually, it’s really not, but I’m good at reading people. Plus, you haven’t looked at Cecilia’s rack once.”
“Ronnie!” Cecilia shrieks in horror.
“She’s right, though. Every man we encounter looks at your breasts, sweetie. I’ve even caught Clay looking once!” Morgan says as we all laugh.
“At least having that bit of information will settle Silas and Grey easily,” Brey adds.
“Oh, no. We aren’t planning on telling them. It will just make it funnier,” I say to her.
Aubrey’s mouth drops open with shock. “You aren’t going to tell them? That’s just evil.”
I shrug my shoulder. “What can I say? I like watching your brother go all possessive over me.”
Two hours later, we’re all in the backyard enjoying the sun with Brey and Ronnie suntanning on lounge chairs.
Cecilia and Morgan are sitting by the poolside with their feet dangling in the water, sipping on their margaritas.
While Sam and I are in the pool with Gracie in her floaty in front of me and Dante in Sam’s arms.
“What the hell is going on here?!” We all look toward the back door and find five pairs of eyes on us. Three looking very angry, and two looking both confused and amused. “Who the hell are you? And why are you holding my son?” Silas says aggressively.
Oh God, this is too funny.
Cecilia scurries to her feet quickly as Sam brings Dante over to her. She bends at the waist and takes him, then hurries over to her husband.
I wiggle Gracie out of her floaty and walk over to the steps, Sam not far behind me. My foot catches on one of the steps, and I almost lose my balance, but Sam quickly places one hand on my lower back and the other on my waist, steadying me.
“Get your hands off her!” My eyes widen at Greyson’s barbaric tone.
Oh damn, I am definitely getting punished for this later.
Sam’s hands swiftly rise to his sides, showing he means no harm.
I manage to get out of the water without falling and make my way to Greyson’s side.
His hand cups the back of my neck with a little squeeze as he leans in closer, his hot breath fanning against my ear.
“Bunny,” he growls. “Mind telling me why you’re half-naked in a pool with another man? ”
I simply giggle but don’t grant him an answer. Not yet.
We watch Sam step out of the water, running a hand through his wet hair as water drips off his abs.
He comes to stand before us, and Silas instantly wraps a hand around his wife’s waist, pulling her closer.
Grey stands straighter at my side, widening his stance while his hand still holds my neck possessively.
“Honey, this is Dante and Gracie’s new nanny,” Cecilia informs Silas.
Sam reaches out a hand toward Silas first. “Hi, Samuel Castello. Pleasure to meet you both.”
Silas stares down at his hand with fury running through his eyes, then turns to his wife next. “You said her name was Samantha,” he says through gritted teeth.
“No, I said his name was Sam. If you came to the conclusion that it was a woman, that’s on you. Not me.” She narrows her eyes at him.