Now that I can get a good look at Abigail during the day, I see why Ezra dated her. She has big blue eyes, a heart-shaped face, and long, dirty blonde hair that cascades down in a tangled ponytail. Those glasses don’t do her any favors, but she’s still a beautiful woman behind that shy demeanor and baggy clothes.
Larissa hooks her arm into mine and introduces herself. “Hi. I’m Nick’s girlfriend.”
I lift an eyebrow. Girlfriend is probably a stretch, but I don’t want to embarrass her, so I don’t object. Although maybe we need to have a conversation about where we really stand.
My daughter tries to push her away. “Daddy doesn’t have gulfwends.”
I kiss the top of her head. “Be nice, munchkin.”
Larissa leans closer. “Isn’t it time to break the seal, Daddy?”
Holding back a cringe, I give her a tight smile. I suspect she’s trying to be sexy, but being called Daddy is not a turn-on, especially when I’m carrying my daughter.
Abigail snorts and looks away while Paige tries to hold back a laugh.
Thankfully, the guys pull up in another U-Haul before things get any more uncomfortable.
Jinxy jumps out of the truck with a bag of burgers. “Food’s on, bitches.”
“Dude, language.” I point to my daughter. “Hazel doesn’t need to learn your colorful vocabulary.”
“Oh, sorry, Hazy Daisy.” He trots up to her and hands me the burgers. Pausing, he looks around. “Is Miss Trunchbull here?”
“Who?”
“Your scary-ass nanny who looks like the schoolmistress from Matilda.”
“She’s not that bad.”
“So you say.” He turns to Hazel, holds out his hands, and she jumps into his arms. “Did you miss Uncle Jinxy?”
She nods with a giggle.
“Not too high,” I warn because I already know what he’s gonna do.
“Oh, ye of little faith. I got this,” Jinxy says just before he tosses my daughter into the air. She squeals and laughs. Larissa frowns the whole time, probably upset Hazel hasn’t warmed up to her.
But Abigail watches my little ladybug with a sweet smile.
It catches me off guard because that smile changes her whole face. She instantly goes from pretty to downright gorgeous.
Except her grin promptly disappears the moment our eyes connect.
Yeah, she’s not over losing the nanny job.
* * *
Once all of our crap is moved in, I video-chat my father because if I don’t call him, we’ll never talk. I should also call Gemma’s parents, but her mom always gets so emotional, and it drains me and upsets Hazel.
It takes three tries, but he finally answers. “You okay?” he immediately asks, half-asleep.
“Sorry we woke you.”
Hazel sticks her head in. “Hi, abuelo!”
“Hi, mija. ¿Cómo estás?” How are you?
“Tengo hambre.”
