Page 13 of Chasing the Sun

“Sure.” She stepped away from the doorway to give him some privacy, but she still heard every word.

“Goodnight, sweetheart. I love you.”

“I love you too, Daddy.”

Then she heard him kiss her, and she melted. Bryce might be distant and reserved with her, but he was fully engaged with Molly. It was the sweetest thing, and it reminded her of being tucked in as a child. Of course, back then, she’d had two parents tucking her in…

Bryce came out into the hall and closed the door softly behind him, plunging them into semi-darkness. All the upstairs lights were off except for a nightlight in the bathroom across the hall. She assumed that was in case Molly had to get up in the night.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and eyed her closely. “I hope I didn’t sound too harsh earlier when we were discussing the car.”

His apology caught her off guard, and her eyebrows shot up.

“I admit I’m a bit…overprotective sometimes. But Molly is my only child, and…”

At that moment, he was simply a single dad trying to do the best he could for his daughter, and his attractiveness shot up a thousand-fold. She looped her arms around her back to prevent herself from hugging him.

“You don’t have to explain. I’d probably be the same way if I had a child, which I don’t, but still…”

He chuckled and looked down at the floor.

“If it helps, I promise to be really careful when we’re in the car, or in the pool, or wherever.” She found herself wanting to convince him that she would take the utmost care of his daughter.

He held up a hand. “I believe you. I know Jamie and Elle wouldn’t have recommended you if they didn’t think you were right for the job.”

While she appreciated the vote of confidence from her friends, she wanted Bryce to reach that conclusion on his own, but this was only day one. She had the next three months to prove it to him.

“Speaking of Jamie and Elle, I’d like to go see them tomorrow if you don’t need me here.” Technically, she didn’t start work until Monday, so she didn’t think he’d mind.

“That’s fine. I planned on taking Molly to visit my parents anyway.”

“Great.”

“What time do you plan on leaving?”

“Around eleven.”

“Maybe you’d like to join Molly and me for breakfast, then. Sunday is pancake day.”

“Pancake day?”

“Yes. Molly and I make pancakes every Sunday we’re together. It’s become a tradition.”

“I like pancakes.”

“Good. We’ll see you downstairs at nine o’clock.”

He walked away without another word, but she didn’t mind. He’d apologized to her and invited her for pancakes. What more could she ask for? A back rub would be nice. Stop it!

I don’t remember my bed being this comfortable, Chloe thought as she slowly awakened the next morning. When she finally cracked open her eyes, it took her a moment to remember where she was.

Naples. Nanny. Pancakes. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table and saw it was quarter to nine. Crap! Pancakes were served at nine, and she didn’t want to miss out.

Shoving off the covers, she stumbled out of bed and went into the bathroom. She splashed water on her face and quickly ran a brush through her hair. Since she’d brushed her teeth the night before, she decided to let that go. No need to tell the dentist, though! Then she went into the walk-in closet and took out a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.

If she’d been at home in the apartment she shared with her friend Renee, she would have eaten breakfast in her pajamas, but she wouldn’t dare do that here.

In her haste to get dressed, she forgot a bra. Good thing she’d glanced in the full-length mirror on the back of the closet door before she’d gone downstairs. She wasn’t quite awake yet, but her nipples were!