Page 13 of Puck Your Nanny

The smell of food hits me as soon as I step out. Something savory, with a hint of spice. Not Calvin's usual. I follow the aroma toward the kitchen.

As I enter, I see them. Nate and Calvin are seated at the round kitchen table, plates piled high. Daisy sits across from them, holding William. He's awake and content, a binky in his mouth, his gaze fixed on Daisy's face. The scene is domestic. Disturbingly so.

Nate looks up, smiling. "Peter! There you are. We were about to send out a search party."

My jaw tightens. "I was resting."

Calvin gestures toward the steaming dish with his fork. "Daisy made lasagna. Smells amazing, right?"

I move toward the counter, grabbing a plate before taking my seat. Daisy shifts William slightly, a small, hesitant smile on her face. She's wearing an apron, I notice, a frilly, floral thing. That perfume she wears is stronger now.

She dips her head. "I hope you like it. I wasn't sure what everyone preferred."

"It's fine." The words sound sharper than I want them to, but I can't take them back now.

I take a bite, expecting to be unimpressed. But it's good.

Really good.

Damn it.

I keep my gaze fixed on my plate. "It's good."

"Thank you." Even without looking up, I can hear her smiling.

Nate clears his throat. "So, Peter, how was the trip?"

My grip tightens on my fork. "Productive. The Peterson deal is completed. We should see a significant return within the quarter. You'll both be doing brand deals with them in the fall."

When he doesn't respond, I glance up to find him with his eyes locked on Daisy as she smiles down at William, making goofyfaces at him while she absentmindedly cuts a bite off her piece of lasagna.

"Daisy was just telling us about her old job. Sounded pretty fancy." Calvin pipes up.

Daisy pulls her gaze away from William to offer a sheepish grin. "They were well-off. Traveled a lot. I got to see some amazing places."

Calvin nudges Nate. "See? We could use some of that worldliness around here. Broaden our horizons beyond hockey and spreadsheets."

I scowl. "Someone has to keep the finances in order." I take another bite of lasagna.

Calvin shrugs, unrepentant. "True, true. But a little culture wouldn't hurt. Right, Daisy? You must have picked up some amazing recipes on your travels."

Daisy laughs, a light, musical sound. "A few. I'm always happy to experiment in the kitchen."

Calvin throws his hands up. "Experimenting is my department, but I'll let you assist."

Daisy lets out another soft laugh. "I look forward to it."

Nate gazes at Daisy with soft eyes. I, however, can't stand to look at her.

"Just focus on William. That's all we need from you." My words come out harsher than I intend.

Daisy's smile vanishes. She looks down at William, nestled in the crook of her arm. She sets down her fork, her hand moving to rest lightly on his tiny chest. "Of course." Her voice devoid of its earlier warmth. "That's what I'm here for."

I push my plate away, my appetite gone. I stand. "I have work to do." Ignoring Nate's exasperated sigh, I head back toward my room. As I close the door behind me, the unsettling feeling that there's something about Daisy Johnson that I can't quiet put myfinger on deepens. As long as she doesn't hurt my family, I can put up with her.

Chapter 5

The weekend arrives two days later. Calvin is back from hockey practice, talking about drills and puck handling. I'm happy for him, but I have no clue what he's talking about. Nate has been at the dining room table all day, wrestling with funeral arrangements and paperwork. I want to offer to help, but it doesn’t feel like my place when it’s for his father and stepmother. Plus, I’m here for Will. Calvin said we could go get his things today, and I think it will be good for him.

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