Page 17 of One Pucking Life

“A little girl. Four months old. Her name’s Caroline.” Iris smiles. “Cade said Max looked like he was going to cry just trying to put her in the car seat the other day. He’s clueless, but he’s trying.”

My heart pinches a little. Dammit. “I have a soft spot for clueless dads trying their best,” I mumble.

Iris smirks. “I know you do. That’s why you’re perfect for this. I swear, he’s a good guy.”

I rub my hands over my face. “Okay. Fine. I’ll meet him. But I’m not promising anything.”

She beams and claps her hands together. “That’s all I ask. Just meet him. I’ll call Cade and set it up.”

I point a finger at her. “If he’s as douchey as I think, I’m out of there.”

She winks. “Deal. But he won’t be.”

As she picks up her phone to call Cade, I lean back against the sofa again, staring at the ceiling. What am I getting myself into?

CHAPTER

SEVEN

DELANEY

What am I doing here?

I stand on the front porch of Max Park’s house, staring at the oversized door like it’s about to bite me. A job is a job, right? That’s what I keep telling myself. Sure, I have an aversion to cocky assholes—and everything about a professional hockey player screamscocky assholeto me—but I also have a brand new car with a hefty payment, insurance, and a growing pile of bills that aren’t going to pay themselves.

So here I am. Swallowing my pride. Pushing down my judgment. Getting ready to ring a doorbell I’m not sure I want anyone to answer.

Iris swears this Max guy is different. “He’s not like the others,” she says. “He’s a good guy.” And maybe that’s true… but I can’t help thinking,If he’s so different, how did he knock someone up and not find out about it until a year later?That doesn’t scream “upstanding” to me. It screams exactly the kind of womanizer I’ve spent my adult life avoiding.

Am I being judgmental? Absolutely. Do I care? Not really. I know myself—and I have very little patience for a certain kind of man.

Then again, I stuck it out with Mr. Newmeister a lot longer than I should have, smiling through lingering stares and brushing off less-than-subtle advances. I did it for the job. For the kids. Because I loved those boys, and they needed me.

The same thing applies here. Max is offering a paycheck I can’t turn down. And there’s a baby involved. A four-month-old little girl who didn’t ask to be dropped into this mess. I haven’t met a baby yet that I didn’t fall for.

So here I am. Ready to work. Ready to meet Max Park.

I take a deep breath and press the doorbell.

It only takes a few seconds for the door handle to turn, but it feels like an eternity.

When the door swings open, my heart plummets straight into my stomach. My mouth falls open. Because while I knew his name… I realize Idefinitelyknow his face.

He stands there with an adorable baby girl perched on one strong arm, her tiny fist curled around the collar of his T-shirt like she owns him. His free hand runs through his dark hair, ruffling it in a way that makes him look annoyingly effortless. And those bright blue eyes? Paired with a slow, knowing grin that stretches across his full mouth?

Shit. I’ve seen that grin before.

“I’m sorry,” he says, his voice warm and amused, “are you here to try to steal my car again?”

My mouth opens and closes. No words form. Not one.

I blow out a breath and shove my hand toward him. “Hi. I’m Delaney. Iris’s friend.”

His lips twitch as he takes my hand in his. His grip is firm, his skin warm. “Interesting. So… are you a car thief who moonlights as a nanny, or is it the other way around?”

I shrug, fighting back the flush creeping up my neck. “It was an honest mistake. Could’ve happened to anyone.”

He chuckles, deep and low. “I’ve gotta hand it to you—you committed. I wasthisclose to giving you the keys to my Bronco.”

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