I stare at my brother in stupefaction. I don’t remember much about his best friend, but I’m more than certain she’s a college student. Does he expect her to work for me and study at the same time? It doesn’t make any sense.
“I don’t think that’s going to work,” I finally say, and he frowns, a look of confusion crossing his features.
“Why not?”
“Well, I need someone who’ll be able to live here, and if I’m not mistaken, Piper is still in college.”
“She’s not. Pip is taking a year off, and she needs a job. She wants to earn money to pay for college next year.”
“Look, Hayden, I get it.” I take my mug between my palms and stare my brother in the eyes. “She’s your best friend, and you want to help her, but—”
“What the hell?” He leans away, looking at me as if it’s the first time we’re seeing each other. “Do you think my friendship with Piper is the only reason I’m suggesting you hire her?”
“Isn’t it?”
“Fame sucks, I get it, but not everyone’s after your money.” Hayden pokes his tongue into his cheek. “I’m your family. I’m Story’s uncle, and I’m invested in her well-being too. That’s why I think Piper is the best shot you have. Especially after today.”
I lower my gaze to the table, and my mind goes into overdrive. I have a thousand different thoughts and feelings, and the tiniest ray of hope flutters in my chest. I’m always more than practical, yet as an athlete I also believe in luck. Sometimes winning is not just about teamwork. Sometimes it’s a confluence of circumstances—pure luck. What if it’s like that with my daughter’s babysitter?
“Why did she decide to sit this year out?” I ask.
“Pip doesn’t like to talk about it, so let me put it this way: her little sister’s health declined. They visited a ton of doctors, did tons of tests, and finally found the reason. Riley’s good now, but someone needs to pay the bills.”
“She took money from her college fund? What about their parents?”
“Riley’s dad gave them what he had, but it didn’t cover everything. Their mom was looking for a job at the time and couldn’t help at all. Piper’s college money was the only way they could pay for it.”
I set my mug on the table and narrow my eyes. “I’m sorry, but…you have money. Why couldn’t—”
“I tried.” He shakes his head, holding my gaze. “Piper Evans is the most stubborn person I’ve ever met. According to her, the fact that I can lend her money doesn’t mean I should. I can’t even tell you how many times we fought because I wanted to help and she refused to take my money. That’s how she is.”
“Admirable,” I say, and Hayden bursts out laughing.
“Not the word I would’ve used.” He finally stops his cackling. “Anyway, she needs a job, and you need a nanny. It’s a win-win if you ask me. Plus, she’s not a stranger; she’s my best friend. Our parents know and love her. You can talk to them if you don’t trust my judgment.”
“I trust you,” I reassure him. “Though…just because she and Story got along doesn’t mean she’ll be a great nanny.”
My brother sighs and rolls his eyes. “Pip is kind and incredibly caring. She loves kids. She was studying to become an elementary school teacher because she likes spending time with children. It’s not a burden for her. She enjoys it.”
Gawking at Hayden in silence, I weigh my options. Practice starts next week. I could go to another agency and try to find a babysitter before then, or I could hire my brother’s best friend and have it taken care of today.
Dammit, I’d be an idiot to say no.
“Okay, you’re right. She does sound perfect.”
Hayden grins, winking at me. “I told you.”
“When do you think she can start?” The second the question leaves my mouth, my brother’s face drops. I cock an eyebrow at him just as Story enters the kitchen. “What?”
“Didn’t I tell you she’s stubborn?” he mutters. Unbelievable. My daughter climbs up onto the chair beside me, puts her elbows on the table, and lowers her chin into her palms. “I’ll need to figure out how to convince her.”
“So there’s a chance she won’t agree?”
“A tiny, itsy-bitsy chance.” Hayden shrugs awkwardly and then shifts his gaze to Story. “I might need your help, kid. Will you go with me to see Piper tomorrow?”
My daughter instantly sits up straight. Her eyes are round, and her mouth is agape. She looks excited, and my lips involuntarily stretch into a smile. “Can I? Dad?”
“Definitely.” I ruffle her hair, making her giggle. “Seems like you’re going to have lots of fun with your uncle again.”
Sitting on the side of the pool with my legs in the water, I watch Story swim. It’s one of her favorite things to do, and the happy look on her face is evidence of how much she enjoys it. She catches my gaze and swims to me. I help her climb out of the pool, and she nestles beside me, looking at me with a playful smile.
“What’s wrong, Daddy?” my daughter asks.
“I think I’m a bit worried.” I drape a hand over Story’s shoulders and haul her to my side. My tee is instantly soaking wet, but I don’t care. These simple moments are what I love the most, and I’d do anything to prolong them. “I’m going to start practicing on Monday, while you’ll be left with someone you barely know.”
“It won’t be the first time!” Her laughter is melodic, but shivers run down my spine. I failed this kid so many times, always reassuring myself that at least she had her mom. While in reality Amelia was on the road more often than I was over the last few years. Her career took off two years ago, and she’s in her prime now, taking project after project.
“This time it’ll be different. Piper is nice.”
“You really like her, don’t you?” I squint at my daughter, and she nods, cuddling closer to me. “Well, I look forward to meeting her today, even if I was skeptical about her agreeing to work for us. I didn’t think your uncle would be able to convince her to accept my offer.”
“That’s why he took me with him. Piper couldn’t say no when I told her I’d love for her to be my nanny.” Story grins, batting her eyelashes at me. “Uncle Hayden said I was his secret weapon.”
“You definitely were.” I laugh wholeheartedly, leaning down to plant a kiss on the top of her head. She smells like strawberries and coconut, and I can’t help but smile wider. “I haven’t seen Piper in six years, and even then I never talked to her. So I hope we get along.”
“You will.” Story pats my knee, wiggles a little, and jumps back into the water. “She’s great.”
I stand up and walk to the table, where I left my phone. It’s almost two p.m. already. “Sweetie, you need to get out of the pool. Your uncle will be here in five minutes.”
Story nods curtly and climbs out of the pool. She takes a towel and wraps it around herself, puts on her flip-flops, and goes into the house. I wasn’t often there for my child, but I was still able to form a bond with her. She trusts me, respects me, and always listens to me. I treat her the same way, explaining my decisions to her when I say no or forbid her from doing something. I earned her love, and it’s the most precious feeling in the world.
I follow my daughter inside and head to my bedroom. I pull off my tee and halt in my tracks, seeing the front door open and my brother step inside. First, he’s early. Second, maybe I shouldn’t have given him a key. I don’t like when people barge into my house, even if they’re family. It feels like an intrusion. I want to be the one to decide who enters. Let the right one in, not the other way around.
“Hey, Hunter.” Hayden waves, and I nod in greeting. “This girl is as punctual as the spring tide. You can never be late with her.”
He moves aside, and his best friend walks into my house. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t this. She’s lean, with full breasts and round hips. Feminine and petite with a narrow curve to her waist. Piper is not how I remember her, and, based on her shocked expression, I don’t think I look the way she remembers me either.
“Fuck…” she whispers.
Well, fuck, indeed. How on Earth did I agree to hire someone who looks like that? This is going to be a disaster.
I clear my throat and force a smile. “It’s very…um, nice to see you again, Piper. Please, come inside. I need a few minutes to change.”
“Sure,” Hayden chimes in. He grabs Piper’s hand and drags her to the living room. She keeps her eyes zeroed in on the tile, not allowing herself to look at me.
Could this be less awkward, please?
I hope Story is still changing. That will buy me some time to get used to Piper. She’s completely different from how I remember her. Where did her glasses go? What the hell happened to her always pale face? Dammit. Looks like my best friend, Angelo Russo, was right—not having sex for months has made me way too agitated. I’m acting so out of character right now.
Quickly, I put on a white T-shirt and black sweatpants and go back to the living room, my brother’s voice gets louder. He’s going on and on about my house, my future with the team, and Story’s classes. He’s overloading this girl with information I was planning to share myself. And I don’t think I like it. I shouldn’t have agreed to him joining us today.
I linger in the doorway. My eyes land on my brother’s best friend. She sits on the couch with her legs crossed; her blonde hair is in a high ponytail, bouncing up and down as she swings her leg back and forth. I let my eyes wander over her form, taking in her tight pink tee and bleached blue jeans. Piper looks simple and effortless, and I like it. She doesn’t need fancy clothes to bring out her beauty.
She meets my gaze, and her rosy lips part. A sparkle flashes behind her chocolate brown eyes, and her cheeks turn pink. Her fingers fly to a little pendant on her necklace, toying with it. The best testament of her nervousness. Apparently, it can get even more awkward than it was.
