She opens the door wider, revealing her dad, who stands, with only one crutch today, just inside the living room, and my mouth dries up like the Sahara. Gray sweatpants hang off Niko’s hips and my eyes do a slow perusal of just how well they fit. They leave little to the imagination, and I am not mad about it. Not one bit. The waistband of his Calvin Klein boxer briefs peeks out above his sweatpants, and my hands itch to reach inside. I’m unsure of the type of shirt he’s wearing because my eyes refuse to move from the lower half of his body.
Suddenly, working for this man sounds like the worst idea ever.
As if on cue, Sophia runs between us, throwing ice water on a very inappropriate moment I’m not too proud of.
Jumping up and down, she grabs my hands. “Daddy told me you’re going to hang out with me! You’re like a super pretty Nanny McPhee! Oh my gosh, Miss Sadie. I can’t wait to show you all my toys!”
Niko steps forward, placing his hands on Sophia’s shoulders, attempting to slow her bouncing body.
“Slow down, Sophia, there’s plenty of time for that. Why don’t you go finish your breakfast while I talk to Sadie? I need to leave soon for treatment and then you can give her a tour of all your things.”
Sophia grunts out a disappointed, “Ugh, fine,” and then takes off to the kitchen to finish her food.
“Let’s take a seat.” Niko’s hand sweeps into the living room, and I choose to sit at the lone chair next to the fireplace, needing as much space from him as possible at the moment.
He takes a seat on the couch on the other side of the coffee table and leans forward, elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped between them.
Tucking a hair behind my ear, I break the silence first. “I’m sorry I’m a couple minutes late. Ellie needed to talk to me and I lost track of time.”
Niko studies me and I shift in my chair uncomfortably waiting for him to start the childcare conversation.
“Is everything okay?”
His question catches me off guard only because I didn’t expect him to even notice something was off with me. I should’ve known he could see right through me. I contemplate if I should tell him about the predicament I find myself in. On one hand, Lincoln and Ellie are none of his business. But on the other hand, I find myself wanting to confide in him. With both things in mind, I tell him about my situation, but leave out some details.
“The lease is up on our apartment and I need to start looking for a place of my own.” There. Simple enough and Ididn’t need to mention I’m too broke to afford my current place on my own.
Niko’s eyes remain on me, completely void of any type of emotion or reaction.
Nervous under his stare, I shrug. “But it’s fine. I’m sure I’ll find something. Let’s talk about Sophia’s routine so you can head out.”
He seems to be thinking about something. His eyes are squinted and I swear I can see the wheels turning in his head. The energy in here is all off and I blame myself. He distracted me with his gray sweatpants and now I can’t think straight.
I’m nervous. He seems to be nervous. We need to start over.
Just as I’m about to ask again about Sophia’s sleep schedule and routine, Niko surprises me. Again.
“You can stay here.”
I blink twice, trying to understand if I heard him correctly. Sure I must’ve misheard, I ask him to repeat himself. “I’m sorry? I don’t think I heard you correctly. What did you say?”
Niko leans back against the couch, placing one arm over the back of it just like he did the night I came here for ice cream. Memories flash through my mind of how badly I wanted to lean in and kiss him. Him sitting here like that, in those damn gray joggers, is not making this situation any better.
“I said, you can stay here.”
He says it so casually, as if me moving into his home with his daughter is no big deal. This man who has refused to hire a nanny because he trusts no one. What gives?
“I’m sorry. But let me get this straight.” His mouth quirks at the edges but he eyes me, waiting for me to go on. “You want me to move in here. With you. And Sophia. The same man who probably doesn’t even trust the little old lady at the grocery store asking for help to reach something on the top shelf.”
He loses the internal battle he was waging, fighting a smile, and his beautiful teeth flash full and bright my way. Some hockey players may have the unfortunate luck of losing teeth and looking ridiculous, but Niko is not one of them. Thank the heavens because that smile is a gift straight from the gods.
“Yes, Sadie. That is indeed what I’m telling you.”
His voice is calm and collected, only making my brain an even more jumbled mess. I can’t understand how he can be so cool about this.
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea.”
“Why’s that?” he asks.
