Yes, it was clear. Nick was in awe of his son. She had better do a danged good job as a nanny, because he was sure to watch her every step.
Jacob threw a furtive look at Ginny, but then he pretended she wasn’t there. He spoke directly to his father. “Oh, Dad, I thought we talked about this. I don’t need a nanny. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. You and Marcia are more than enough for me.”
Wow, wow. Okay, this was definitely not a string of words that Ginny expected from the mouth of a five-year-old. Maybe a childish complaint, an emotional scene, or something less mature. Jacob seemed, indeed, much too aware for his age.
Nick winced, and he kneeled down next to Jacob. “Buddy, I’ve told you. It’s important to have someone you can count on when I’m busy. Marcia has to take care of the house. Soon you start your school preparation, I’d love to follow each step of it, but I can’t always. Ginny”—he pointed at her—“is here for that. Do you want to greet her?”
Jacob’s tiny lips pouted, and he turned back to his Legos.
Nick tapped his shoulder. “Don’t be rude. Come, say hi at least.”
The boy retreated from him and hissed, “Not a chance.”
Ginny’s shoulders slumped. At last. Jacob wasn’t an alien after all, but only a child, who seemed angry at his dad for forcing him into something he didn’t want. This she could take on.
Nick’s eyes flicked to her, an apologetic grimace playing on his lips.
Ginny waved her hand to him, then moved closer to Jacob.
She dropped to the floor beside him and silently grabbed a few pieces of Lego scattered on the carpet. How lucky she’d grown up with two boys who taught her how to construct an impressive cyborg in a few minutes. She began to build while she watched Jacob’s reaction from the corner of her eye.
The kid acted as if he didn’t see her, but he inched slightly closer.
Ginny hummed a tune softly while she added newer and newer elements to her creation. Will Jacob recognize the music?
Jacob snapped his head to her. “You know Steel Jeeg?”
Gotcha!
Ginny smiled inwardly but didn’t answer Jacob’s question. Two could play this game of hard to get. She continued to hum the theme song of the cartoon from Jacob’s door.
Jacob was caught off guard by her reaction. It was clear that he was now interested to know more about Ginny and what she was doing with his Legos, but he didn’t want to say it.
He peeked up at his father. “Dad, this lady”—he cocked his head toward Ginny—“she knows Jeeg. How?”
Nick chuckled. “Well, buddy, I’m not sure. You need to ask her yourself.”
Ginny watched as Jacob scrunched up his little nose. He blew up his cheeks, twisting his lips to the left. Then as if he had come to a conclusion, he exhaled with a loud swish and shifted closer to Ginny.
He stuck out his small hand. “Hi, I’m Jacob. Are you a fan of Jeeg, too?”
Ginny tucked a lock behind her ear. She took the child’s palm and squeezed it slightly. Then she drew back her hand and bumped her fists together, just like Jacob’s cartoon hero would do.
She winked at him. “Hi, I’m Ginny. And I have the feeling we’re going to become good friends.”
Jacob’s eyes ignited with an enthusiastic glint, and he nodded while knocking his own little fists together. “Yes, I think so, too.”
Chapter 5
Nick stretched his legs and looked at his publisher.
Phil was chewing on his pen as he read the document. His forehead creased into severe lines. When he lifted his gaze, the expression on his hamster-like face didn’t promise anything good.
Nick’s stomach knotted. Crap, Phil hates it, too. He inhaled and leaned forward. “It’s still quite messy. I just can’t get into the right writing mood these days.”
Phil put down his pen and the sheets, then cleared his throat. “Yes, I can see that.” The tone of his voice was dry.
Nick couldn’t help but notice a hint of disappointment. His heart dropped to his knees. The last thing he wanted to do was to delude Phil.
Phil had taken a big gamble on him four years ago. It turned out to be a brilliant move for him, but still, the leap of faith on Phil’s part during that stressful time of Nick’s life had been invaluable.
Nick wrapped his arms around himself. “With all the craziness Heather has been throwing at me, I can’t find my muse.”
Phil’s face softened. He patted Nick’s knee. “I know, Nick. I can try to push back our deadline a few more weeks, but you need to up your game. Do whatever you need, but you better find your inner voice again. Your readers are expecting the new release.”
Nick rolled his neck and sighed. “Sure, sure. If you extended my time another month or so, that would really help. Maybe you could keep the buzz with some scoop about another writer? Tom Higgins is coming out with a novel soon, isn’t he?”
Phil inspected his fingernails, then brushed with his thumb on his index finger. “Yep, he is. But his books are far less popular than yours, you know that. My company needs something that will go gangbusters before the summer is over. I told my boss that your new book can do that.” His eyes darted to Nick. “Don’t put me into a position where I have to go back on my word.”
Nick rubbed his hands on his thighs because they were becoming moist. Leave it to Phil to ease the pressure on him. He hadn’t missed a deadline in four years. One would think that should’ve earned him the benefit of the doubt. Well, obviously in the tight schedule of the publishing business it didn’t.
Phil pointed at a passage. “I like this new female character your investigator meets. She seems intriguing. Maybe you could bring her more into your story. Your fans are craving some romance.”
Nick’s scalp prickled as his eyes followed Phil’s hand. He’d added that paragraph to the draft two days ago. He’d meant to delete it but somehow couldn’t bring himself to. This character had way too much in common with his new nanny. From the dark mane to the bright blue eyes and witty comments.
He recalled the image of Ginny kneeling beside Jacob, her eyes sparkling with the sheer satisfaction of having conquered his son’s trust. Somehow the appearance of this woman had awakened his imagination.
But integrating a romantic relationship into his story? No, he couldn’t do that. He shook his head. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea, Phil. Romance and I are two different worlds. I would fail to make it believable to my readers. Also, Detective Riley didn’t get his nickname ‘Diamond Heart’ for nothing.”
Phil smacked his lips. “There isn’t anything more enticing to readers than when a hero discovers a new aspect of himself. Riley could reveal himself to be a softie when he meets the right woman.”
Nick’s nostrils flared. He wasn’t going to turn into a softie. Women shouldn’t change the personality of men. But then he inhaled. What was the matter with him? They were speaking about his fiction for crying out loud and not about Nick’s life.
He nodded. “Okay, I’ll see what I can do. But I can’t promise that the woman will stay in the final script.”
Phil seemed satisfied with the answer because he rubbed his hands together. “Very well, this is enough for me.” He peered at his watch. “Oh, heavens. I need to get going. When is the hearing about Jacob again?”
“In two weeks. But it’s only the first discussion. After that, we’ll have the final meeting scheduled.”
Nick’s belly twisted as he pronounced these words. He only had a few days left before he let the cat out of the bag with Ginny. He needed her to come to that meeting with him. As his girlfriend.
Phil’s cough pulled Nick out of his contemplation. “I wish you the best of luck. Nobody deserves to get full custody of his son more than you do, Nick. You’re the best father I’ve ever met.” He shook Nick’s hand and picked up his bag. As he went to the door, he asked, “Shall I close it?” before stepping out.
“No, you can leave it open.”
“Oka
y, bye. Talk to you soon, Nick.” Phil went into the hall where Marcia’s loud chatter guided him toward the exit.
Nick collapsed back into his seat, thinking about what Phil had said.
Was he really a good father? He knew why he’d excogitated this crazy plan. There was no other way to defend his family against Heather’s sneaky strategy.
He still couldn’t believe the new judge was dazzled by his ex’s charms. Wasn’t it evident that Heather had as much maternal instinct as an ostrich? Even less, probably. At least a female ostrich would come back once in a while to check on the male guarding the eggs. Heather, on the other hand, had disappeared completely.
Nick’s pulse slammed in his neck at the memory of her first contact after three years of absence. It had been after Nick received the International Young Writer’s award. She had shown up on their doorstep as if nothing had happened. Poor Jacob didn’t even know who she was, but when he heard she was his mother, he ran up to her anyways.
He already had his first Jeeg Robot figure, and he’d clenched it in his tiny palms to show it to Heather. And what did that miserable piece of woman do? Discarded Jacob, like he was a burdensome intrusion. She’d only wanted to talk money with Nick.
A low growl escaped Nick’s throat and his fingers hardened on the sofa’s fabric. There was no chance he was going to let Heather back into Jacob’s life. Not now, not ever.
A polite little cough sounded behind him, and Nick whirled around.
Ginny stood there with her hands clasped behind her back. The peachy color of her cheeks pointed at the fact that she must’ve been standing there for a few minutes now, trying to be noticed.
“I’m sorry, Nick, for the interruption. I’ve brought over my stuff. Would you mind showing me my room? Marcia is busy baking muffins with Jacob, so I thought I could use the time and quickly unpack.”
Ah, right. Tonight was the first night Ginny would sleep in their house. She’d been traveling back and forth for the past three days, so Nick hadn’t been able to find a good occasion to catch her alone without his son being around.
Maybe with her living here, he would finally have a chance to speak to her about his plan.
What would she think about his insane proposition? Would she understand and accept? Or get angry and move out of his house immediately?
At the thought that this might happen, a cold shiver ran down his spine. Jacob had already been missing her when she went back to her apartment to pick up her things.
Nick wanted Jacob to like Ginny, but the way his son was getting attached to her in such a short time was alarming. After all, Ginny wasn’t going to stay in their life forever. What was Jacob going to do once she had to leave?
“Nick, if you don’t have time now, it’s okay,” Ginny fiddled with her blouse.
He needed to stop diving into his preoccupations with the others around. It made him forget the basic rules of politeness. “No. I mean, yes. No, you aren’t disturbing me, and yes, I have time now.”
He jumped up to show his eagerness. Maybe his quick movement would make Ginny forget the imbecile staggering he had just done.
Ginny smiled, and her eyes squinted as she did.
Detective Riley stood in awe, admiring the perfect almond shape of the woman’s eyes.
Nick shrugged. Did his muse just decide to pay him a visit? There was something about Ginny that made his creative juices pump. A web of intriguing events flashed into his mind that he could present to his protagonist. Maybe he could keep his deadline after all?
Nick’s gaze moved from her eyes to her soft neckline. She had an adorable nook between her clavicles.
She swallowed and the spot Nick had been watching quivered. Heat swamped his chest. It was a feeling he hadn’t had for a while. It eerily resembled that of desire.
Yes, being close to Ginny could definitely inspire him to write better love scenes. Phil would surely be in heaven if Nick managed to enhance the romantic edge of his story.
He withdrew his gaze and turned to the door. “Well, let’s go then. Your room is situated between Jacob’s bedroom and mine. Come, I’ll take you there.”
He bolted to the door without waiting for Ginny’s reaction.
He’d already embarrassed himself with his words and gaping. It was time to whip himself back into the role of a serious employer.
Chapter 6
Ginny’s heart was still pounding as she glanced around her room.
Holy powers of all. She shouldn’t be reacting to her boss like that. She was going to live in his house. If her heart did this wild dance each time their gazes crossed, she was going to be the victim of a heart attack at the age of twenty-seven.
She kept her hands busy opening her valise so the slight tremble that had taken possession of them wouldn’t show. She was behaving completely irrationally. But she couldn’t help it. The intensity of Nick’s eyes was somehow beyond words.
However, it didn’t matter. He could have saggy eyelids and stinking breath. The only result she needed was his endorsement. And to have that, she needed to do an excellent job as Jacob’s nanny instead of acting like a swooning teenager.
“Do you like it?” Nick’s voice startled her.
Was he still in the room?
She whirled around and found him standing only a few steps away, watching her. His arms were folded across his chest, making his biceps flex and his shoulders broader. His dark hair was tousled in a way that gave him that enigmatic artist look.
Ginny gulped. She liked what she saw, alright. No, she was doing it again. He wasn’t asking if she liked his looks.
She quickly let her eyes travel around and nodded. “It’s gorgeous, thanks. I’ll feel at home here.”
He came closer, his mouth moving into a ravishing smile. “I’m glad to hear that.”
The warmth of his body radiated to Ginny’s bare arms. Or at least, that must be the reason she suddenly felt like fanning herself.
She shifted from her right leg to her left. “I’ll just start unpacking then.”
He pointed at his chest. “Let me help you. We’ll be quicker together.”
Ginny shook her head. “That’s really not necessary. I didn’t bring that many things.”
Nick stifled a snort.
Her glance fell on the four heavy suitcases Nick had carried up the stairs. Fine, maybe she had brought a bit of stuff. But she could easily arrange those alone. She didn’t need Nick anywhere near her clothes, especially not her underwear. Just the idea of him touching them triggered a few inappropriate thoughts in her head.
She seriously needed to get ahold of herself. This wasn’t the Ginny she knew. In the future, it would be best to keep Jacob around at all times. The boy was sweet, and his chatty nature kept Ginny’s mind occupied and unable to summon any out-of-line ideas.
Nick strolled to one of her suitcases and lifted it to the bed. “You start with this,” he turned back and pointed at a bag that was stuffed with books and such, “ and maybe I could empty that one for you?”
Why was it so vital for him to help her? Didn’t he have something else to do instead of lending a hand to his nanny? Like another bestseller to write?
She was about to refuse again but his eyes had such a hopeful glint.
She blinked at him then shrugged. “Fine, if you really have nothing better to do, then that bag is a good place for you to start.”
He grinned and fetched it. He walked to the bookshelf and began putting her books in proper order.
Ginny opened her valise and hung her clothes in the closet beside her bed. It was almost as large as Ginny’s kitchen. It would be a perfect hideaway if she decided to play hide-and-seek with Jacob again.
Nick let out a startled gasp.
“What happened?” Ginny hurried to him.
Hopefully, none of the picture frames she’d put beneath the books got broken. She should have packed them among her clothes.
But Nick was holding up a book to her, his brows arched. “The
Enigma of the Diamond. Do you read my books?”
Ginny’s throat swelled. What was the right answer to this? “Uhm, not really. I must admit, I’m not a fan of your genre.”
She’d bought this book because she wanted to get a feel of the man she’d be working for. But somehow she hadn’t found the time to thumb through it yet. Every time she tried to read one of these novels loaded with spooky secrets, she had a hard time falling asleep.
Nick laughed. “Don’t look so frightened. It’s not an obligation for people living in my household to be my hardcore fans. Marcia never lets me read things to her because she says it makes her hear noises at night.”
Ginny wiped her forehead. “Phew, thanks. I’m just like her. Mysteries frighten me. Do you write about murders and things like that?”
Nick nodded. “Sometimes. But not always. The detective, who is the main character in my books, investigates all kinds of cases. What kind of books do you read?”
Ginny bit her lip. It had been a while since she’d had the leisure of reading a book. She’d only quit her secretary gig three weeks ago, and before that, her days had been busy keeping her old boss’s schedule up to date. “I usually like uplifting stories. Historical or contemporary romance.”
Nick’s lips twitched. “So you like a happy ending?”
Ginny nodded. “Sure, who doesn’t?”
Nick shrugged. “I don’t. It’s unrealistic. In life, those things never happen. Thus I don’t feel compelled to write about them.”
Ginny studied his jaw. It was clenched, as if the words he’d just said had a second layer of meaning he didn’t want to reveal.
Why was Nick so pessimistic about relationships? Ginny realized she hadn’t even inquired about Jacob’s mother. Should she dare?
Curiosity took control of her mouth, and before she could consider her words, her lips were already moving. “Does it mean you’ve been unfortunate in love? With Jacob’s mother?”
Why did she have to ask such a personal thing? And this awful choice of words. Unfortunate in love? It sounded condescending and nosy at the same time.
Fake-Dating The Single Dad (Gems 0f Love Book 3) Page 3