~ Three Days Later ~
The boys won their game last night, which means they’re officially going to the Stanley Cup Finals. Let’s just say they were beyond ecstatic last night and still are. When Grey called me after the game, the joy he was radiating was blinding and contagious. I had never seen him so happy. It was like a dream come true for him. Which I guess it is, since that’s pretty much the goal when you become a professional hockey player.
Today is Sam’s first official nanny day with us. Even though Cecilia and I will both be around today, we still asked him to come in and spend some time with the kids. They already seem to like him a lot even though they’ve only met him once, and it gives us all an additional chance to get to know him better.
The boys are meant to be home later this afternoon, and we’ll be celebrating together over dinner and drinks later tonight at Morgan’s. Minus Aubrey and Ronnie since they're working this evening. We had also planned to have a girls’ lunch before they needed to head out for work, but Morgan canceled on us, claiming she wasn’t feeling well.
“Do you think something’s up with Morg?” I question Cecilia as we drink our coffee in the kitchen. Sam is running around us with the kids and Daisy chasing after him, while Milo sleeps in the corner on Daisy’s doggy bed.
“I’m not sure. I tried to call her earlier, but she sent me straight to voicemail.” She chews on her lip, which is her tell that she’s worried.
“Is that not a typical behavior for her?” Sam asks, listening in on our conversation as he continues pretending to run away.
“No, not really. Even when she’s sick, she always picks up her phone,” I inform him.
“Even yesterday she seemed off when I saw her, but when I asked if something was wrong, she just smiled and said there was nothing. But it wasn’t her usual smile, like she was faking it,” Cece adds.
“Do you girls want to go check on her? I don’t mind staying here with the kids. I mean, it is my job.” He smiles with a wink.
“We should all go, with the other girls, too. A little intervention might do her some good and help get to the bottom of what’s going on,” I agree with Sam.
“I’ll call Aubrey and Ronnie, see if they’re still free. Then we’ll go over.” Cece picks up her phone.
“Sam, could you change the kids and get them ready? I’ll go make a bag for Gracie and come back to help if you aren’t done,” I ask him.
“Sure thing. Come on, little kiddos. Let’s get you two ready for your auntie’s house.” He picks Gracie up in one arm and Dante in the other, carrying them like potato sacks as both kids shriek with laughter.
Okay, so Sam might not be the most professional nanny there is, but I think it’s exactly what we needed for the kids. We really didn’t want someone super uptight and strict with them.
Thirty minutes later, we’re all on our way to Morgan’s. Cecilia took her car with Dante, and I took mine with Gracie and Sam. We park up the driveway as Ronnie arrives behind us with Aubrey in the passenger seat. Just as we exit our cars and Sam retrieves Gracie from her seat, someone we all recognize comes jogging down the street.
We all turn to watch as he stops in front of us. “Good morning, ladies.” Jessie smiles.
“Hi, Jessie,” we say at once.
“So what’s the plan today? Girls’ party? Am I invited? I promise not to tell your husbands.” He winks, sliding a hand through his drenched hair. He’s shirtless and wearing gray running shorts. He’s clearly been at it for a while with how his body glistens with sweat.
“You know, Jessie, one day you’ll get in trouble for relentlessly flirting with unavailable women,” I tell him, giggling.
“It’s okay, I can take him,” he beams.Yeah, I’m not sure he could. I’ve seen Greyson fight. And that shit isn’t pretty.
“You sure you don’t want to try out the deluxe package? I’d make a fine stepdaddy,” he adds, and all I can do is smile and shake my head.This guy is ridiculous.
“So that’s a no? What about the girl party?”
“There’s no girls’ party; we’re just checking on Morgan,” Cecilia tells him.
“All right then. I understand, you all need more time to wrap your heads around this. I’ll wait. I’m a patient man.” He sighs with fake sadness, then smiles. “Well, I hope you beautiful ladies all have a splendid day. Cotton Candy, give me a call sometime and we’ll go for another round.” He winks at Ronnie and jogs up to his house across the street.
“Wait, wait. You left the gala with Jessie?” I ask, astounded.
“I did.” Ronnie laughs, turning toward the house.
“How was it?” Sam asks. We all turn to him with wide eyes, not expecting that question.From me? Yeah, I totally would have asked. Him being the newcomer? Not so much.“What? Too much? Not very professional, I’m guessing.”
Cecilia and I start laughing uncontrollably.This guy is going to fit in perfectly with us crazy folks.“It’s fine, you just surprised us a little,” I say through my giggles.
Ronnie wraps her arm around his, dragging him up the front steps. “You’re one of the girls now, you’re free to say whatever crosses your mind. By the way, ten out of ten. That man is packing and knows how to use it. I might take him up on that offer for another ride. Although fair warning, if you think you’ve been sore before, no, you haven’t,” she laughs.
