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It’s getting harder and harder to ignore my attraction to him. I don’t know if it’s just Drew himself, or the fact that we see each other so much.

If I wasn’t helping with Penny, would I have ever even noticed how his skin has a slightly spicy scent? Or that his chin always has a 5 o’clock shadow, even after he’s just shaved?

Being romantically involved with Drew would be complicated, not just because I babysit for him and rent this apartment, but because he’s a close friend of the family. What if we were together and then things ended badly?

Not only that, but Sam and I agreed to raise Samantha to be independent, and not reliant on my parent’s money or a trust fund. We wanted her to have a normal childhood, free from the expectations of my parents’ social circle. And Drew is an orthopedic surgeon, just like my father. Penny will most likely have everything handed to her, like me and my brothers did.

Although, Drew seems way different from my parents; Penny has a list of chores to complete before she gets her tablet. Small chores, but still, more than I had when I was a kid. Drew has done a great job with her, actually.

I shake the thought. Why am I even thinking about this??

Before I can psych myself out, I shoot Drew a text.

Sophie: Hey! I think I left Samantha’s blankie upstairs. Do you mind if I come up and look for it?

Drew: Of course not, come on up.

Sophie: K! Be right there.

Pulling Samantha from her bed, she stops screaming for a second before she starts crying again.

With a groan, I snuggle her to my chest and tiptoe up the stairs to the main part of the house. I’m trying my best to be quiet since I know Penny is fast asleep, but Sam isn’t making it easy.

Drew meets me at the door with a look of concern. “I thought I heard crying. Someone needs their special blankie, huh?” He says to Samantha in a sad voice. “Here, let me take her while you look for the blanket.”

I’m about to protest when Samantha reaches for Drew. He scoops her out of my arms and she instantly cuddles into his broad chest. I must look baffled, standing there with a slack jaw.

“I got this,” Drew says, laying his cheek on top of Samantha’s head. “I kind of miss Penny being this small.” He smiles fondly.

My heart squeezes at the sight of them. There is nothing as sexy as a big, solid man cuddling a small child. It can’t be beat. It’s probably scientifically proven.

I force myself to turn away from them and begin my search for the missing blanket. After scouring the main rooms for a good ten minutes, I take a moment to think. If I were three … where would I hide my blankie?

Suddenly, it comes to me. The Tupperware drawer. She loves playing with all the colorful lids. I open the drawer in the kitchen, and sure enough, there’s her soft pink blankie.

Stifling a yawn, I grab it from the drawer and head back toward Drew and Samantha. I find them in the dark hallway next to the basement steps. Drew is slowly swaying. As I get closer, I can hear him quietly humming a lullaby. My chest tightens at how sweet they look.

“Found it,” I whisper, causing him to turn around slowly.

Samantha is sound asleep.

He grins, looking very proud of himself. “You want me to lay her down so she doesn’t wake up?”

“That would be great, actually,” I say, trying to withhold another yawn.

I follow Drew down the stairs and into Samantha’s room. He gently lays her down, then runs his large hand over her blonde curls before stepping out of the room. I kiss her chubby cheek then cover her with her blankie before backing out of the room and quietly closing the door behind me.

Drew is waiting at the bottom of the steps. “Glad you found the blanket.”

“Ugh, me too. Thanks for putting her to sleep. I didn’t think she was ever going to calm down.”

He shrugs. “No problem. Let me know if you ever need help, I’m just one floor away.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” I attempt to smile but a yawn finally escapes from my mouth. Pretending not to be wildly attracted to my landlord is tiring.

Drew chuckles. “Goodnight, Soph.”

“Goodnight.”