Dirty Daddy (A Single Dad Romance) (The Maxwell Family)

by Alycia Taylor

  “Everything okay?”

  She nodded as if she were in deep thought. “Yeah. I really liked her,” she said.

  “Who? Kennedy?”

  “Yeah. She’s the one.”

  Uh oh. Of course, Trinity would choose the one person that would probably not end up even saying yes to the job.

  Chapter Six

  Kennedy

  Camille was at my house, looking for some blouse she’d left behind and telling me all about some big wedding that she was planning.

  “It’s going to be insane, Ken. It’s not the biggest wedding I’ve ever planned, but it’s the most extravagant. They’re really letting us go all-out with it.”

  “They must have a lot of money.”

  “More money than I’ve ever seen. In fact, at first I thought they were messing with me. I thought that surely nobody could have as much money as they do. But clearly, I was wrong. They’d have a heart attack if they saw how much money was in my own account. But I’m just letting them throw their money at me. Who am I to complain?”

  “What’s her dress like?”

  “First, it costs more than the venue.”

  “What?”

  “Seriously! She got some fancy designer—whose name she keeps popping into conversation—to make it. I’ve seen pictures and it looks beautiful. But it also doesn’t look like the price tag.”

  “And what about the couple? Do they seem like the kind of people that are going to be happy in life? Or are they just throwing all their attention at the wedding instead of their married life together?” I figured I knew the answer, though. Surely nobody could spend that much money on a wedding and still have time to worry about that other little important thing called love.

  “Ooh, I found it,” Camille said as she held up her blouse. “I knew I left it here. What we were saying? Oh, the wedding. Oddly enough, they seem to be in love. In their own sort-of-messed-up way. They’re very materialistic. But they’re both materialistic, so I suppose they’ve just found the right sort of person to be materialistic with. You see, there’s something for everyone. Hey, what’s going on? You look like you’re getting ready to go out?”

  I laughed. “What’s wrong with that? Am I not allowed to go out?”

  “You’re allowed to go out. You just don’t go out.”

  “You’re looking at a woman who is going out for dinner tonight.”

  “With a man?”

  I chuckled. “With a man! And a girl, actually.”

  “What? Whoa. Are you getting into some weird threesome or something?”

  “No!” I said and burst out laughing. “And it’s no big deal, which is why I haven’t told you yet. But I’m going out for dinner with a potential client.”

  “Really? Ooh, tell me more.”

  “I met him at the grocery store, actually. He was walking around looking like a lost soul with his daughter so I asked if I could help them with anything. Turns out they were trying to make a chicken stew, but all they had was chicken, rice, and flour.”

  “Flour? You don’t need flour for a stew.”

  “Clearly not everyone knows as much as we do about food.”

  Camille chuckled. “Okay, go on, continue.”

  “Anyway, I explained to him how to make it, as well as told him where to get an already made one. Then I handed him my business card and told him that I was a personal chef.”

  “Hey, look at you being all entrepreneurial.”

  “Thank you.”

  “So, he was looking for a personal chef?”

  “Not exactly. Sort of. He was also looking for a nanny.”

  Camille frowned. “A nanny? But you’re not a nanny.”

  “I know. But I figured I’d find out more about the job anyway. I mean, maybe I can convince him to hire me, anyway and to get someone else to look after the girl. Who, by the way, is adorable. Anyway, we’re going for dinner tonight to discuss things further. I think the guy is pretty desperate to find someone to help out.”

  “So, was the guy good looking?”

  “Yeah, actually, he was very good looking. Tall, dark hair, green eyes. Well built. And also a little bookish. Glasses, a little nervous when he talks.”

  Camille raised her eyebrows. “A good looking nerd? That’s totally your type.”

  “Uh, he’s a potential boss, and he has a daughter. This is definitely not the time for matchmaking.”

  “What’s his deal then? Where’s the wife?”

  “I was in the middle of a grocery store. It wasn’t exactly the time and place to ask.”

  “True. Okay, well I think it’s great. I just hope the guy is genuine and not some creep who just wanted to go on a date with you.”

  “He’s bringing his daughter, and we’re going to a public place. I think I’m safe.”

  “If he doesn’t bring his daughter, then you know something is up.”

  Reed did bring his daughter. I met him a nearby restaurant that I had recommended, and when I walked in, both Reed and Trinity were waiting for me. Trinity beamed when she saw me and immediately put me at ease.

  “Hi, Trinity. Hi, Reed. Good to see you both.”

  “Good to see you too. Thanks for coming,” Reed said. “This place is great. We’ve never been before.”

  “You haven’t? Oh, you’ll love it. I know the chef, which is why I recommended it. Very unpretentious food, but still very clever. Everything works perfectly together and you can tell that they spent a lot of time on developing the menu. I definitely recommend the pizzas. They’re unlike any you’ve tasted before. Oh, sorry,” I said suddenly. “I get a bit carried away when I talk about food.”

  “Do you like hot dogs?” Trinity asked me out of the blue.

  “Hot dogs? I love them. But I’ve been ruined by that famous hot dog place in the city. Have you been there?”

  Trinity nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. One time we had it twice in a week.”

  “Ooh, I don’t blame you. I’ve done that before too.”

  “Ah, but I don’t want you to think that I only feed my daughter junk. I know those hotdogs are amazing, but we don’t do that all the time. My brother and his girlfriend were visiting, which is why we ended up having so many hot dogs that week.”

  I chuckled. I wasn’t sure why Reed felt the need to prove himself as a good father to me. I could already see that he was. Anyone could see from the way that Trinity looked at him.

  “Oh, I’m a healthy eater too. But I’m a big believer of balance. And it’s fun to indulge every now and again. So, what do you do, Reed?”

  “I’m a neurosurgeon.”

  “He fixes people,” Trinity added.

  He smiled at her. “I certainly try my best to. It’s a pretty demanding job. Which is why I’m currently looking for someone to help out. I love staying with Trinity, she’s a great daughter, but I have to work. We had a nanny for a long time who used to help, but she left recently to deal with her own family things. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a chance to give us much notice. I took the week off to be with Trinity but I have to go back to work next week, and I’m desperate to find someone.”

  “We saw four ladies already,” Trinity said. “One was so tall and so mean.”

  “Yeah,” Reed said apologetically. “We’ve seen a few. I want Trinity to be comfortable with the person.”

  Just then the waitress came, and we ordered two large pizzas for the table.

  “Trust me,” I said to them when the waitress left. “I can eat a lot, but those pizzas are huge. We’ll still have extra. I once made the mistake of ordering one for myself, and I had pizza for days left over. So, what exactly are you looking for?”

  “I just want to know that Trinity is safe. I need someone from Monday to Friday. On the weekends, I can work from home or she can come with me, and I generally don’t work Sundays, anyway. I will drop her off at school in the morning, or else someone can do that for me if they have the time. Then I need someone to collect her and look after her un
til I come home. I’ll sort out her breakfast, and if she’s at school, then she gets lunch there. So I just need someone to sort out the dinners each night. I’ve been making eggs every night, and it’s starting to get a little on the boring side. What work were you doing before? You said you were a personal chef?”

  “I worked for a very nice man who had lost his wife a few months ago. I came over a few nights a week and cooked for him. It was very rewarding. I was sad that it came to an end.”

  “Do you mind if I ask how much he paid you?”

  “Of course not,” I said and gave him the amount. I wondered if he’d be surprised at how much it was for something that was only a few times a week, but he didn’t seem to flinch.

  “Okay, great. Well, I’m happy to double that considering I’ll need you to help out with Trinity too. And of course, I’ll pay you for all the ingredients that you’ll need too. I just . . . I just really want someone that Trinity feels safe around. It’s been difficult . . . you know . . . uh, to juggle work and still find the time to spend with her. And I don’t want her to think I’ve just abandoned her.” He cast a sideways glance at Trinity, and she looked up and smiled at him. I was so touched by that moment that I immediately knew what my answer was going to be.

  “I want Trinity to be happy too. Trinity, I’d love to help out. Why don’t we do a trial run? I mean, if you’re interested. And if we’re all happy with the arrangement then I carry on, and if we’re not then I walk away without any feelings being hurt.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Reed said and beamed. “What do you think, Trin?”

  She nodded. “I like you.”

  “That’s decided then. Trinity is a great judge of character. So if she likes you, then so do I. Would you be able to start on Monday? Trinity has school vacation, so she’s at home, but school will be starting soon.”

  “Of course. I’ll be there first thing in the morning. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “So are we,” Reed said, and I could see the relief written all over his face.

  I couldn’t believe that I had found a job so quickly. It had been the same with my last job. I seemed to find them easily even though I always stressed in between. And if Reed was going to be paying me double, it meant I would finally be able to save up to start my own restaurant one day. I wasn’t sure how I’d cope with looking after a child at the same time, but Trinity seemed like someone I’d get along with.

  Just then the pizza arrived, and Reed and Trinity gasped at the size of it.

  “This is so cool,” Trinity said as she eyed the pizza, which was almost the same size as the table.

  She started giggling, and I could see Reed looking at her fondly. I felt relief wash over me. If today was an indication of how the job was going to go, I had a feeling I was going to be okay.

  “Okay, let’s tuck in. Now, my belief is that manners are important and necessary in life. But when you’re eating pizza, you have to eat it with your hands. Do you agree?”

  Trinity giggled. “I agree!”

  Chapter Seven

  Reed

  I woke up a bit earlier that day. I wasn’t sure why but I felt the need to make sure that the house was clean and that I was presentable before Kennedy came over. I couldn’t remember if I had felt the same way when I’d hired Linda, although I was sure it was just the same. When Trinity walked into the kitchen, everything was clean and a bowl of cereal was waiting for her on the table.

  “Morning, beautiful. Are you ready for your first day with Kennedy?”

  “YES!” she said. “I’m going to wear my new dress.”

  I smiled sadly at her. It was sad that she felt the need to dress up for a complete stranger, but I was glad that she was at least happy with the arrangement. I still couldn’t believe that we’d found Kennedy in a supermarket while all the actual applicants had been so horrendous. It made me think that she was meant to work for us, even though I didn’t normally believe in fate.

  “Great idea,” I said to Trinity. I looked at my watch. “We still have about half an hour until she gets here. Eat up.”

  “Aren’t you eating?” she asked.

  “I already had something. I got up early today.”

  Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and when I opened the door, I saw Kennedy standing there. I’d forgotten how pretty she was, and for a brief second, I was taken aback.

  “I’m a bit early,” she said apologetically.

  I smiled and finally snapped myself back to reality. “One of my favorite qualities in someone. Come in, come in. Trinity, look who’s here,” I said, but when I turned around, I saw that Trinity was gone. I peered into her bowl and saw that she hadn’t finished her food. “That’s strange,” I said. “She was just here.”

  “Oh dear, has she run away from me already?” Kennedy asked.

  “I’m here,” Trinity said. I turned around and saw that she had run upstairs to get changed. She was now wearing her favorite pink dress and twirling around to show Kennedy.

  “Oh, you look beautiful,” Trinity said.

  I smiled. “She wanted to wear that dress for you.”

  “Really? I am absolutely honored.”

  “Well, I better get going. Thank you again for coming early. That makes a nice change from the last nanny. I hope you don’t mind, but I have to work a little late today just to catch up on all the work I missed out on last week. I know that’s asking a bit much on your first day.”

  “That’s what I’m here for,” Kennedy said and smiled. “Seriously, don’t worry about it.”

  “Thank you so much. My work number is on the fridge as well as any other number you might need. But call me if there’s a problem.”

  “I’m sure we’ll be fine. But thank you,” she said.

  I walked out of the house feeling confident, and when I got to work, I felt relieved that it was a problem I wouldn’t have to worry about anymore. I went straight to my office and started working on the backlog that I knew would be there. Even though some of the other members of staff had helped me out, there were certain things that only I could do. I was able to work so much better now that I didn’t have to worry about Trinity too. She was a good girl but having her at work was such a big distraction for me.

  At lunch time I made my way to the cafeteria to get something to eat. I got a sandwich and a cup of coffee and found a table to sit at. Sometimes I didn’t take the time to eat, but I always felt worse at the end of the day because of it. I forced myself now to take the break because I always came back from lunch feeling ready to continue with my work. It used to be a bad habit of mine that I was glad that I had broken. Not that it was easy, though. It was sometimes difficult for me to force myself away from my desk, especially when I was so busy. Thankfully my next client was only due in an hour, so I had a bit of time to myself.

  “Earth to Reed.”

  I looked up and saw Warren with his own lunch and coffee. He sat down opposite me and grinned.

  “You’re in your own world.”

  “I was just enjoying the break. It’s been a crazy morning. Hey, listen, thanks for all the help last week. Today would’ve been even crazier if you hadn’t helped.”

  “Ah, no sweat, man. But a lot of your patients refused to see anyone else but you. I managed to reschedule all of them, but I think you’re going to have a busy few weeks. It’s good though; they obviously all really like you.”

  I smiled. “Oh yeah? That’s good to know.”

  “You seem happy today. Oh, where’s Trinity? Did you manage to find someone? I remember you said you had a list of people to see.”

  “I did actually find someone. But not from the list. I cannot believe how awful some of those people were. And because I decided to let Trinity help with the decision, it wasn’t as easy I thought it was going to be. She’s so easy going and I figured she’d be happy with anyone. But none of the women seemed nice. Trinity was a lot fussier than I thought she was going to be, although that’s proba
bly a good thing. I mean, one was downright scary. She came in with a list of her attributes to show me but didn’t once even look at Trinity.”

  “Seriously? So, how did you find someone?”

  “I found her at the grocery store.”

  “What? You asked some random woman at the grocery store to look after your child?”

  I chuckled. “Not quite,” I said, and I explained to him how Kennedy had found me looking lost. “Turns out she’s a personal chef. She gave me her card, and we got talking. I invited her out for dinner and gave her a chance to get to know Trinity. She’s not a nanny but she’s very likable, and Trinity took an instant liking to her, which always helps. So, she agreed to come on a trial basis to see if it’s something she wants to do. She was there bright and early this morning. I cannot tell you how relieved I feel to have her there.”

  “Is she hot?”

  “Seriously? Is that really all you have to say after all that?” I asked even though I wasn’t at all surprised. Warren loved nothing more than being surrounded by beautiful women.

  “Is she?” he asked again.

  “Actually, she’s beautiful.”

  “Oh yeah? So maybe she can be something more than just a nanny.”

  “Uh, no. Definitely not. I doubt she’d be into someone like me. And anyway, I’m looking for someone for Trinity, not for me.” The last thing I wanted was to blur the lines. “Also, if something went wrong, it wouldn’t be fair on Trinity. She’s been through enough already.”

  “Yeah, that’s true. Oh well, something nice to look at every day at least. But listen, speaking of dating. I have someone for you.”

  “You have someone for me? What do you mean? I’m not looking for anyone right now. You know that.”

  “Oh come on, if I don’t step in and help you, then you’re going to be single forever. It’s time, Reed. You deserve to finally start thinking about yourself.”