I held back a wince, knowing she was saying the right things. But if I were that kid? I’d be ducking behind someone, feeling like I had broken the faith of the best woman out there.
“I’m sorry. I just saw Leo, and my brain got scr-amb-led.”
He sounded out the word as if he had heard the phrase before but didn’t quite know what it meant.
From the twitch on May’s lips, she agreed with me.
“Okay, Luke. But I’m going to have to tell your mom and Leif that you ran away from me. Because we don’t keep secrets. You’re not in trouble right now because you ran to someone you know. Someone who isn’t a stranger. But let’s not have this happen again, okay?”
“I promise,” Luke said as he held up his pinky. May smiled as she linked her little finger with his. Then they kissed their thumbs, and I smiled at the fact that these two seemed to have a secret handshake.
“Sorry for almost yelling at you,” May said as she looked up at me. “Leo, right?”
I swallowed hard, trying not to look down at her curves. Or the sweat slowly trickling between her breasts. I did not need to notice that. This was Luke’s nanny. She was not for me.
Even though I couldn’t help but want more.
What was wrong with me?
“I’m so sorry for all of this. I knelt to try to fix my shoes since the strap broke, and, well, you know what happened next.”
I looked at the shoe in her hand, then at the one still on her foot, and nodded. “I think I can fix that. At least to get you home…”
May’s eyes widened. “What? You can?”
“Oh, yes. My brother is pretty handy,” Caroline said as she came to my side.
I completely forgot that my family was watching, and now I needed to duck because I was sure my sister would not let this go. Whatever this was.
“Your brother.” May looked between us, then down at the kids, her eyes wide. “Oh. Brother.”
Had May thought this was my family? My kids? I had hit on her at the tattoo shop. What kind of man did she think I was?
“I’m Caroline. These are my daughters.” My sister introduced her kids, who all started talking to Luke at once. Luke giggled.
“Fast friends,” I mumbled.
“Seems like,” May answered.
“Anyway, if you hand over that shoe, I’ll see what I can do.”
As if in a daze, she gave me the shoe. I knelt at her feet, working the paperclip I randomly had in my pocket into the tie of the sandal so she could wrap it around her ankle like the other.
The heat of her skin against my calloused fingers did something to me, and I swallowed hard. Such delicate ankles, such soft skin.
There was seriously something wrong with me. I did not have a foot or ankle fetish. But right here and now? I had to question why I didn’t.
I looked up at her, aware I was kneeling at her feet and putting on her shoe as if she were Cinderella or something.
She stared at me, her mouth parting. I swallowed hard.
Dammit.
She was off-limits. She was not Cinderella.
And I was damn well not Prince Charming.
Chapter 3
May
Round four hundred and thirty-two of my dating experience.
I didn’t know the exact number of first dates I had been on, but that sounded about right.
Brian sat in front of me with a sweet smile as he spoke about his job. He was a pediatric nurse who worked long hours and loved children.
We had hit it off immediately, given our interests in the development and well-being of children. We smiled and laughed over our desire to enrich our lives and the lives of the children in our care.
We were careful not to talk directly about those under our wing, aware of privacy issues, but there were certain stories we could share. Anecdotes that let me know more about Brian.
His dark hair was swept back from his face, slightly graying at his temples. He had kind, bright blue eyes and a square jaw that looked strong.
He was gorgeous, his skin a light brown. He’d told me that he tanned easily whenever he was in the sun but that he hadn’t done much of the outdoor thing lately due to the demands of his job.
That might be a con on my list of pros and cons because dating would be difficult if we never had time to spend with each other, but he was also starting a new job soon that would cut back on his overtime hours.
“You’re okay with that? I don’t mean to pry.”
He smiled at me. He had such a great smile. And that spark? Oh. I felt it. Or maybe I was trying too hard. Either way, there was something here. Something that hadn’t been there on my previous dates. I’d really only felt something like this once before. But I wasn’t thinking about that. It had been adrenaline and confusion. Not a spark.
“I’m excited about this new phase. I loved the hospital, but it was hard for me to step away when I needed to. With the way they’re restructuring, it’s going to be great for the children, and now I’m able to work with this new practice. Yes, it’s still long hours, but not so many that I forget what my bedroom looks like—or not have time to actually show someone else.” His eyes widened, and he spluttered. “I did not mean to sound as creepy as I did just then. I’m so sorry. I’m not saying that I want you in my bedroom. Not that I don’t want you in my bedroom. But this is a first date. And now I’m rambling.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “At least I’m not the only one who gets rambly and awkward on first dates.”
“That makes me feel a little better. I’m sorry I put you on the spot there. Back to the subject. I know this practice well, and I’m happy to start working with them. It also means more time for other people in my life.” He smiled as he said it, and something in me warmed.
That was another pro. He was kind and excited to have time for others. Yes, he seemed to put work first, but so did I. Finding the balance was key, and he looked to be trying. That was a plus.
“Anyway, how did you like the fish? I can’t believe they got grouper all the way out here.”
“I know, right? The best I ever had was near Clearwater, Florida. A friend took me to a place on a pier. I don’t remember how we got there or what it was called, but I had the best fish tacos there. And everyone kept pointing down, saying they just go out and pluck the things from the water.”
He smiled. “Considering the size of grouper, I don’t really know if that’s quite accurate.”
“That was exactly my worry. I remember one time when I was in the Atlanta aquarium—did you know you can go scuba diving in the big shark tank?”
His eyes went wide. “You went scuba diving in the big shark tank?”
I shook my head, laughing. “Not even close. I am certified, but considering we’re in a landlocked state, I don’t use it very often.”
“I’m certified, as well, though I don’t use it that often either, like you said.”
I smiled, thinking that a trip with friends could be fun. But that was far off. We hadn’t even made it to a second date. I needed to stop thinking so hard. “Anyway, my friend went into the tank and said the sharks weren’t hostile. They didn’t even bother them. But the guide said they had to be careful with the grouper and had a stick of some sort to keep them away from the divers. I don’t know if they bite or try to drown you. Either way, it always put me off it.”