Page 44 of The Nanny and the Beefcake
“At first, we were surprised when he described what you were doing. We know how you feel about competitive sports,” Anders added gently.
Libby squeezed her eyes shut for a second, then released a slow breath. She could feel Raz watching her, but she couldn’t worry about him—not with her brothers listening in. “And what did Briggs say?” she asked, keeping her tone even.
“He said that you’ve been brought on to act as Erasmus Cress’s spiritual advisor and that you’ll also be his son’s nanny,” Anders answered.
So far, so good.
“We told Briggs you’d make an awesome nanny, Libbs. You pretty much raised us single-handedly after Mom died, and when Dad—”
“And did he mention your tuition payment?” she blurted, cutting off her brother. She could sense Raz’s intensity dialing up.
Block out the beefcake.
“Yeah, he said that part of your compensation package was to cover our tuition,” Alec answered.
“Thanks, Libby. Seriously, you’re the best sister in the entire universe,” Anders added.
She blinked back tears. “I promised I’d take care of it. And you know I don’t break promises.”
She couldn’t get emotional.
Not now.
Not with Raz watching her every move.
“He said the company would pay half now and half on the day of the fight,” Alec supplied.
Libby swallowed hard. “And that’s okay with the university?”
“It’s no problem. The final payment is due the day of the fight. Some guys down here just signed up to get the Pay-Per-View package. Are you going to be on TV with the Lion?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so,” she stammered, not daring to look at Raz.
“Did you know that the venture capitalist company was tied in with a sports management agency? You didn’t mention that when we talked this morning,” Anders asked.
They thought she’d gotten the Tri-Derrick deal. And sweet Buddha’s belly! Had it only been hours since they talked? It felt like a million years had passed since she’d last heard their voices.
“They’re actually two different things. The opportunity to work with the sports management agency presented itself after I met with the venture capitalists.”
She could feel Raz’s concentration sharpen.
“How did that meeting go?” Alec asked.
Libby chewed her lip and glanced at Raz. Yep, he was watching her like a hawk.
“It didn’t go very well, possibly a disaster. There might have been some karma cursing involved, but nothing to worry yourselves over. The cosmos has spoken. I’m a bona fide spiritual advisor slash nanny, at least for the next sixty days,” she blathered, cringing at that word salad of a reply.
“Is there something you’re not telling us, sis?” Alec pressed.
Oh no! She couldn’t worry them. She had to alter the trajectory of this conversation.
She met Raz’s gaze. “Do you want to say hello to Erasmus Cress? He’s right here.”
“He’s with you now?” Anders exclaimed.
“Hey, Anders, hello, Alec, it’s nice to meet you. Libby says you two are at uni studying to be doctors,” Raz said, swooping in as he dropped the smug athlete vibe.
“Thanks to our sister,” Alec answered. “And holy shit! This is so cool. We’re on the phone with the British Beast.”
