Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 141425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Plus, a steady job. A real place to live. No more juggling side gigs or showering at the gym. Maybe I could even afford to see my therapist, Elena, again. But could I really work so close to Tyler without melting into a puddle of lust? The man just exudes hot capableness in a beard and big body.
“I’ll need some time to think about it,” I say carefully, trying to erase thoughts of this woman’s sexy son from my head.
Do not lust after her son in her presence.
“Of course.” Her smile softens. “But I hope you’ll say yes. You’re exactly what Tyler and the kids need.”
As she gathers the children, the weight of the decision presses on me. Turning this down would be a mistake. But living that close to Tyler might be asking for trouble.
Time. I need time.
Except...did I overthink Chad’s cheating? Nope. I handed over the MP3 and marched down the aisle.
And I won’t overthink this either. This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for—and the money I need to finally make it on my own. I am strong. I can commit to this like I’ve committed to practice my entire life.
Just don’t sleep with your boss.
How hard can it be?
I jam on my skate guards and catch up to her. “I’m in.”
She beams. “Can you start next week?”
There’s only one answer.
“Yes.”
And honestly? No more garlic is reason enough.
9
THE MOM TRAP
Tyler
One minute, you’re having a nice Sunday meal at your mom’s house. Chicken and risotto, with sautéed green beans, the kind of dinner your stepdad gets way too excited about. You helped him make it while your mom boasted—understandably—about a new trick she taught her four rescue pups.
Group shake. It’s so absurdly cute that you almost forget the chaos your family can bring to the table.
Almost.
The next minute, your fork is halfway to your mouth when your mom casually drops a bomb that makes you freeze.
“What did you just say?” I set my fork down, staring at her like she’s lost her mind.
My little sister, Charlie, grins like a sweet, sassy devil. “She said she hired Sabrina as the nanny,” she says, overly helpful, like I truly didn’t hear Mom when actually I can’t believe my ears.
At least Luna and Parker are in the other room, giggling over something the dogs are doing, since the kids already ate. Thank god. I don’t need them to hear this.
I drag a hand down my face and meet my mom’s gaze. “You hired Sabrina?” I sound as shocked as I feel. Because I am.
“Why wouldn’t I hire her?” Mom asks it with the same casual air she’d use to say is it sunny outside then she sips her iced tea.
Across the table, my older brother, Miles, looks like he’s choking back a laugh. His fist is pressed to his mouth, and his shoulders shake.
Harvey, my stepdad, catches on. “I have a feeling Miles might know why,” he says, his tone full of unspoken amusement.
Miles schools his expression immediately. “Sabrina sounds like a great idea.”
Traitor. If Leighton were here, she’d rein him in. But his girlfriend is off at a photo shoot. Though, come to think of it, she seems to enjoy trash-talking me too. Another reason they’re perfect together.
Mom sets her tea down, straightening her shoulders like she’s daring me to argue. “It is an excellent idea. She’s fantastic with children. Luna already adores her, and we all know Sabrina well enough. We trust her. She’s great at what she does.”
I groan, dropping my forehead into my palm. “This is bad. This is so bad.” Shit. Did I say that out loud? Now they’ll all know.
Mom’s eyes narrow into an inquisitive maternal stare. “Why is it bad?”
How do I even explain that blue balls are a real thing? Not that I’m going to say that out loud. And it’s more than that with Sabrina—I wanted to date her. I wanted to take her out and show her how a man treats a woman in and out of bed because, clearly, she’d had none of that from the world’s worst ex.
And now I’m supposed to live with her? Every day? Irresistible Sabrina, who finds me completely resistible? “It’s just…a lot of Sabrina,” I mutter weakly.
With an eye roll, Charlie dramatically sets down her fork next to the special meatless risotto made for her and Luna. “Oh my god,” she bursts out. “What he’s trying to say is that he has a raging, unrequited crush on her.” Her voice is sugar-sweet, but her grin is pure devilry. “It’s cute, really. Big, tough hockey player brought to his knees by his daughter’s skating coach.”
I snap my gaze to my pink-haired sister. “Did I say that?”
“You didn’t have to.”
“I do not have a crush on her,” I lie through my teeth.
“You do too,” she says. I’ve never been able to fool her.