Page 10 of Mistletoe Meet Cute
I watch the curiosity flicker in Holly’s eyes as she deflates in front of me. Me, she can hate, but Sophie just might have won me the game.
“Yeah, something like that,” I groan, wondering how the hell I’m supposed to salvage the situation.
Holly takes a step closer, her eyes locked on my daughter. “What’s her name?”
“Sophie,” I offer tightly just as my baby spits out her binky and pukes all over me.
HOLLY
For a second, we all freeze as Sophie covers her daddy in vomit before she lets out a sob, and Camden, the big, broody bastard of a hot dad he is, presses his lips to her head, calming her like she didn’t just turn his hoodie into a piece of abstract art.
So not just hot dad but good dad.
That I can work with.
“Guess she’s not into auditions,” I murmur as I grab a clean washcloth from the drawer and run it under warm water.
“Not funny,” he groans, his green eyes seeming tired as I approach, and my brother gags.
“It’s a little funny.” I gently clean Sophie up, then dab at Camden’s chest, trying to keep a straight face while he tenses,again.
It’s in the way his jaw is clenched and the tightness pulling at the corner of his eyes. And under all the craziness, Sophie just blinks up at me, huge tears pooling in her pretty eyes. Eyes the same shade of green as her daddy’s.
I’d think this man doesn’t know how to relax based on today, but I’d be wrong. When we met at the pharmacy, it was like he was a different person. He was funny and flirty and so at easewith himself, it bordered on cocky. Completely different from the man standing in front of me now.
“Here,” I sigh, taking a chance and sliding the baby into my arms before Camden has a chance to protest. “You deal with your shirt, and I’ll take care of little Miss Sophie.”
For the first time, his eyes morph from hesitation to something that almost looks like relief before it’s quickly masked, and I get the distinct impression he doesn’t like asking anyone for help. Even if that’s the entire reason he’s here.
Camden pulls his hoodie over his head, muttering a curse under his breath, while I rock Sophie gently in my arms, attempting to ignore the flash of golden skin that nearly blinds me when his shirt slides up his chest with his hoodie.
Dragging my eyes away from the gorgeous man, I press my lips against Sophie’s soft skin until she’s calm and blinking up at me. “I’ve got you.”
She settles instantly, wrapping her chubby little finger around my hair and tugging as her sobs slow and eventually stop.
Babies are a great judge of character. They can smell fear and frustration, and Camden has been broadcasting both like a bad cologne.
When I finally look back up, he’s standing on the other side of the counter, a tight gray T-shirt straightened and back in place and covering the abs I just got a glimpse of, scrubbing his chest with another towel. His green gaze locks on me with Sophie in my arms, and for a fleeting second, something hides behind his eyes before it’s gone and exhaustion takes its place.
Luke clears his throat, grinning like he’s the million-dollar matchmaker for nannies. “I told you, she’s a natural.”
I shoot him a look. “Smug doesn’t look good on you, Lucas. I haven’t said yes yet.”
“Yet.” He winks and lifts his chin. “You already love her. Admit it.”
I hate when my brother is right, almost as much as I hate the thought of working for Camden. Not because I can’t use the money, or any kind of job that would get me away from the vineyard at Christmas. But because working for a man who looks like this one seems like cruel and unusual punishment.
I haven’t been this attracted to anyone in nearly two years, and I’m not sure what that says about me, other than I’m probably making a really bad decision. I mean, what can go wrong when you’ve been dreaming about jumping your new boss’s bones ever since he bought you feminine products? “What exactly are you looking for?”
There we go. At least that sounded semi-professional.
The tightness Camden’s holding in his shoulders loosens a smidge, and I’m reminded how good relaxed looks on this man. “I need someone to take care of Sophie when I’m at practice and games. You’d need to stay with her when we travel. Sometimes that’s overnight, and sometimes it’s just late nights. I’d want you to move in to make things more seamless for Soph. Days off would vary depending on our schedule, but if I’m home, you wouldn’t have to be on the clock. I’ll wake up with her at night and in the mornings. I’m not looking for someone to do it for me, just for when I’m not there.”
“I’m going to go find Dad while you guys talk it out.” Luke waves before slipping out the side door like a thief in the night. One who might have taken my sanity with him because I’m actually considering this.
I hope Dad asks him to deal with the damn reindeer while he’s here.
“He said you have a degree in babies,” Camden says quietly, completely different from any other version of this man I’ve met so far.
