Page 16 of Puck Your Nanny

Calvin opens the car door, placing the diaper bag inside. I settle William into his car seat, buckling him with care. He places the suitcase and stroller in the trunk, closing it before standing close beside me again. The familiar, enticing scent surrounds me once more as he opens the passenger door for me. I have to resist the urge to bury my face in his chest and inhale.What is wrong with me?I have to be ovulating early or something. That's the only time I get horny by dudes like this.

“William’s lucky to have you.”

His words take me off guard as I lift my head to meet his gaze. "That's sweet of you to say. Thank you." I brush past him and get in the car. I'm going to have to roll down the window, so I can concentrate while on the way home.

Nate meets us at the door, his face etched with worry. "How was it?" His gaze goes to William, who's now fussing in my arms.

"We got a good selection of things." Calvin lifts the diaper bag and suitcase. "Clothes, blankets."

"He just needs a feeding." I glance at William. "And probably a nap."

Nate reaches for William, his arms outstretched. "I can take him. I've missed him."

I hand William over, and Nate cuddles him close, burying his face in him's soft hair.

I head toward the kitchen, the need to prepare a bottle a familiar, comforting routine. As I mix the formula, I hear Nate and Calvin talking behind me. Their words fade into background noise as I focus on the task at hand.

I turn around, holding the bottle up. "It's ready." I bring it over to Nate who takes it before he sits down at the kitchen table.

Nate rocks William gently, but he squirms and starts fussing again when he offers him the bottle. A slightly helpless expression crosses Nate’s face. "He's being picky."

I step closer, reaching out. "Here, let me."

Nate shakes his head, gripping the bottle tighter. "No, I've got it." He tries to offer it to William again, but he turns his head away, his cries intensifying.

His frustration builds, his jaw tightening. "Maybe he's not hungry?"

I fold my arms, watching William fuss. "He hasn't eaten since we left. He needs to eat."

Nate exhales, trying again, but William just pushes the bottle away. Nate's shoulders tense, a flicker of defeat in his eyes.

I reach for William. "Let me try."

Nate hesitates, then sighs before handing him over. "He always eats for you."

I settle William in my arms, offering him the bottle again. This time, he latches, sucking contentedly. I lower myself into a chair at the round kitchen table, keeping William cradled close.

Nate watches us, a complex mix of emotions crossing his face—relief, but also something else.

I rub William’s back, my voice softer. "He probably just senses your stress, Nate. It's been a lot in a short amount of time. This time last week, you weren’t dealing with any of this, and he had his parents around. It will get easier once things settle down. The more you relax, the more he will, too."

Calvin, who leans against the island and nods before pushing away and walking over to the table. "She's right. Babies pick up on everything."

Nate drags a hand through his dark blonde hair, then pulls out a chair and sits across from me. "I know, I know. It's just…" His elbows land on the table, fingers pressing into his temples. "This whole funeral planning thing is a nightmare. Even with a planner, it's insane. So many details. Flowers, music, the eulogy, and the cost. Peter's going to have a stroke when he sees the bills."

Calvin snorts, shaking his head. "He probably already knows. He's got his spies everywhere."

Nate grimaces, rubbing a hand over his face. "Yeah, well, he can yell at me later. Right now, I just need to get through this." His gaze drops to William. "At least one of us is calm."

I hum. "He's a good baby. He's just adjusting, like all of us."

Nate exhales. "Adjusting. That's one word for it."

A silence falls. I study Nate's face, he looks like he's aged a decade in the last day.

William finishes his bottle, I set it on the table and gently burp him, settling him against my shoulder. He lets out two small ones before he sighs and lays his head against my shoulder.

Calvin grins. "He's out. You've got the magic touch."

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