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He’s all lean muscle in low slung jeans hugging his plump ass perfectly. A dishtowel is hanging off of his back pocket, and I’ve never wanted to be an inanimate object as much in my life. The thin white Henley he’s wearing is stretched out over the planes and ridges of his back.
He runs his long fingers through his wavy sable hair before turning his neck toward me with his signature toothy grin. “Good morning, Ms. Keller. How did you sleep?”
I’m so taken off guard I can’t form words. My mouth works in all directions, but only spit drools at the cause of the smell—eggs with extra crispy bacon sizzling away on the skillet.
Either Jay is manifesting for me or I’m in the twilight zone. But I get to eat, so I’m all in.
“Ms. Keller, is something wrong?”
“Oh. Um, no. I just forgot you were, like, starting today and … stuff.” Oh my God, why am I sounding like a teenager from the Valley? I do not use “like” and “stuff” to describe things. “Coffee?”
He wipes his hands. “I’ll put it on now. I didn’t want it to get cold.”
I watch in amazement when he proceeds to make me a French press. I didn’t even know I had a carafe for that.
“Should be done in about four minutes. Sit, and I’ll serve you breakfast.”
He’s so natural in the kitchen. It’s almost as if he belongs there.
“I—” I bite my lip, abandoning the urge to speak to him. I’m rattled, and nothing good will come out of my mouth in this state. He’s Isabel’s nanny, not my housemaid.
My daughter gives me a cheesy grin as I walk toward her. She looks so cute, rumpled and sleepy. Isabel holds out a squashed banana in her hand to me. She loves to share. My perfect girl. And she’s absolutely content. All that worry was unnecessary.
I release a breath, pretend to eat her offering and then proceed to be the cookie monster, nom-noming up her arm to her cheek. Her giggles are contagious, and for the first time in a long time, I’m not rushed. I can take this little moment to be playful with my daughter.
My chest aches when I realize I haven’t had the chance to play with her in a while. If I miss it, I can’t even imagine what she feels.
Only, I can. Because I’ve been in her shoes. I always wanted little moments like this with my own mom yet never got them.
Am I doing the same thing to Isabel? Not giving her enough quality time? Always too busy to stop and do the little things that brighten her day?
My heart twists.
Remi’s soft voice pulls me from my musings. “I made eggs and bacon, but there are waffles too.”
I pinch my arm because I’m sure I’m still dreaming. In a daze, I slump in the dining chair. “You made waffles too?
“Yeah, I wasn’t sure what you liked. I got fresh fruit from the market on the way home from your office yesterday too.”
Remington—formerly the hot nanny, now known as the scorching panty-melter—sets a full plate of breakfast in front of me, along with my French press coffee and a gorgeous platter of fruit. With a cute lopsided smile, he sets a silver sauce boat next to my plate. “Can’t have waffles without warm maple syrup.”
I blink several times. No, I guess not.
After he’s done with me, he brings Isabel a small portion of scrambled eggs and waffles. She squeals with delight.
“What time did you get here?”
“A little before six. I know you said seven, but I wasn’t sure of Isabel’s routine and I wanted to get the lay of the land, so to speak.” He makes a silly face and plays with something on Isabel’s tray. She peels with giggles. “I hope you don’t mind that I got her as I heard her fuss. I thought you might want to sleep in a little.”
Oh. My. Goddess.
I haven’t had a decent sleep in two years. It’s like I’m in a daze or a really beautiful daydream. Whatever it is, I never want it to end.
“Oh, thanks.” Taking a sip of coffee to hide my bewildered state, I slide my eyes shut and moan as soon as rich notes of caramel and chocolate hit my tongue. “This is the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had.” It’s not a lie.
I take a bite of waffle—freaking . Which elicits another obnoxious groan.
He clears his throat. “Glad you like it.” Dark umber eyes turn shy, and he lowers his face to hide a small smile.
