Page 28 of Buckin' Around

“Well, they are very high quality, but a tad big?”

Oh shit.

“They’re the wrong ones, aren’t they?”

“Well, no, not if you roll them over and overlap the sticky tabs.”

My forehead hits the desk.

Fucking hell, I am not meant to do this. Not yet, at least. I am not father material. Hell, the thought of having kids has never even crossed my mind till yesterday.

I was all but ready to send her back. Then, one look at my own blue eyes staring back up at me, and the thought of sending her back to a mother who could drop her and run like an Uber Eats order was atrocious.

Needless to say, I need to find care for her during the day so I can work. I may love my fun and independence, but I am not an asshole. I’ll find a way to keep her until her mother wants her back.

A soft knock on my office door pulls me from the insanity of my thoughts.

“Come in.” I sit up, pushing my phone away.

Glenda walks in. “Morning boss.”

“Morning. What’s up, G?”

She leans on the door, the way she always does. “There’s a young Irish woman waiting for you in reception.” Her expression turns curious as she tilts her head. “I see your reputation has crossed an entire ocean, Spencer.” She winks at me with a chuckle.

Irish?

Oh fuck.

Riley.

“Stacey’sfriend, not my... acquaintance, Glenda. Send her in.”

She shakes her head with a soft huffy sound that I put down to amusement. “Alright.”

I rack my brain at why Riley, whose side-eye could have killed a man at my complete lack of baby care taking skills?—

Wait. I need a nanny.

She was brilliant with . . . Ivy.

Guess we’re going with that name.Thanks, Mrs. Henderson.

Riley walks into my office as I stand.

“Sorry to track you down at work,” she says, her gaze wandering the expanse of my office. “But I have a proposal for you. And before you ask, no, Stacey does not know I’m here.”

I fold my arms over my chest.

Be nice, Spencer, you idiot. She could be the person to fix the childcare problem.

“Go ahead. What can I do for you, Riley?” I tilt my chin up. I may have a favor to ask her on the tip of my tongue, but I’m still a proud man. I’m still a Lockwood.

“Actually, it’s more like, what I can do for you. I’m aware you’re needin’ someone who knows what they’re doing to take care of your daughter. I’m looking for a job. One that pays decent that I can fit mostly around my studies.”

Your daughter.

Two words I never thought would be aimed in my direction.