Page 25 of One Hot Daddy

"What would you like, Charlotte?"I ask.

She shrugs."Whatever."

I nudge her gently."Afraid 'whatever' isn't a flavor last time I checked."

A hint of a smile cracks her carefully constructed teenage indifference."Fine.Mint chip.In a cup, not a cone."

"Good choice."I step up to the counter."One mint chip in a cup, please.And I'll have..."I scan the flavors, deliberating."The lavender honey, single scoop."

Fletcher raises his eyebrows."Adventurous, eh?"

"I'm not always buttoned up, you know."I wink before I can stop myself.

I catch a flash of something in his gaze that I can't quite identify.Interest?Surprise?Whatever it is, it makes my pulse quicken.

"I'm a woman of mystery," I add, trying to sound casual.

Fletcher laughs."That you are, Jennifer Cordell.That you are."

The way he says my name makes my tummy flutter.But I focus on paying for our order while Fletcher wrangles the children into a booth by the window.

"Can I try yours?"Charlotte asks as I slide in beside her, careful not to spill my lavender honey scoop.

"Only if I can try your mint chip."

"Yours tastes like Grandma's soap," Charlotte declares, wrinkling her nose.

I laugh."That's the sophisticated palate talking."

The sun has sunk lower in the sky, and the kids are getting sleepy.Joshua insists he's wide awake.When I see Amelia yawning, I know it's definitely time to go home.Fletcher insists on tucking the kids in himself once we get back to the house, and I love that he takes such care with his children.He's a good father.No it's more than that.He's an incredible dad.

Fletcher sidles past me, accidentally brushing his arm against mine.A faint shiver rushes over my bare arm.Yes, okay, I want to have sex with him again---but I won't do it.My job is to take care of the children and the household in general.Heck, I even dug out a steam cleaner I'd found in a closet downstairs and gave the whole house a good cleansing while no one else was around.

When the weekend comes around again, things get super hectic in the Murgatroyd household.Fletcher's parents and in-laws, who live in the same general neighborhood, finally decide to pay us a visit.What if they hate me?No, they won't.I'm sure they're wonderful people.But I've never lived in a household where two sets of grandparents lived nearby.

We don't receive any notice of their impending arrival.They simply ring the doorbell and wait until Fletcher waves for them to come inside.The kids are thrilled, naturally.

I plaster on my most professional smile as they file in---Fletcher's parents first, followed by his ex-wife's parents.Talk about awkward.I'm suddenly very aware of my casual outfit---jeans and a light sweater that seemed perfectly appropriate for a Saturday at home but now seems woefully inadequate.

Fletcher walks over to me and settles a hand on my shoulder."Let me introduce you to these lovely people, Jennifer."He points toward each parent in turn."These two are my parents, Florence and Edmund Murgatroyd.And the other couple are Claudia's parents, Patricia and Robert Sullivan."

"It's wonderful to meet you all," I say, extending my hand."I'm Jennifer Cordell."

Florence Murgatroyd is a petite woman with silver-streaked hair---and sharp eyes behind her wire-rimmed glasses.She gives me a once-over, like I'm being scanned by airport security."And what exactly is your role here, Miss Cordell?"

Fletcher jumps in before I can answer."Jennifer is our new nanny.She's been a godsend for all of us."

My throat tightens at that statement.A godsend?That's going a little overboard.But I keep my head up and offer my hand to Florence."I'm so glad to meet you, Mrs.Murgatroyd."

She sweeps her gaze over me, her brows lifting.When she finally shakes my hand and speaks, her British accent is no surprise to me."Well, dear, I must inform you that I can tell a person's character with one glance."

"How did I do?"

Florence winks and grins."You can call me Florry.As for Fletcher, I've never seen my son this relaxed before.I've also never known my grandchildren to behave like such perfect little angels.Fletcher is right.You are a godsend."

Before I have a chance to respond, the other set of grandparents marches up to me.

I paste on a pleasant smile."It's wonderful to meet you too, Mrs.Sullivan."