Two men collide at a coffee shop…sparks fly along with the java.
Dr. Adrien Ellet loves his dental practice in Cedarwood. He prides himself on being one-half of the most inclusive office in town. Where he’s an expert in the dental field, he’s not so hot as a father. He knows his relationship with his four-year-old son, Kyle, isn’t great and his nanny, Kelsi, is moving on. What’s a guy to do when he needs a little guidance and could use a hot man in his life?
He goes to the coffee shop.
Nathan Gordon loves children and his career as a manny. But he’s lonely. Being a manny means spending his time with children, not going to clubs or partying. Good thing he’s happy to be a homebody. When he runs into the coffee shop for a quick latte, he meets the man of his dreams—who also happens to be the head of the family he wants to manny for. What’s a guy to do when he’s hired to care for the children, yet he’s attracted to the father, the dentist from the coffee shop?
Can these two make it to forever or will the passion between them fizzle before they get started?
Reader advisory: This book contains references to inadequate parenting, suicide threats, homophobia and homophobic harassment.
General Release Date: 25th February 2020
“You’re leaving me?” Adrien Ellet stared at his nanny, Kelsi, but doubted what he’d heard. She’d worked for him for the last two years. Because of her, he’d been able to focus on his dental practice and keep busy during his divorce from his ex-husband, Gerry. She’d been the parent to his son, Kyle, when he couldn’t and she’d done a great job. “Why? Do you need a raise?” Why are we discussing this at the dental office? Can’t it wait until we get home?
“I’m getting married and won’t have to work,” she said. “That’s the best raise and you can’t provide it. I’m so happy.” She clapped and her curls bounced. “Would you believe it? I’m marrying a dentist.”
He couldn’t stop his pat answer. “Well, you’ll always have—”
“—free dental care,” she said, finishing his sentence. She laughed. “You’re so predictable.” Her eyes shimmered. “I will have the best care and will be happy, so it’s all good.”
“I can tell.” He folded his arms. At least she’d waited until there weren’t any patients present to have this discussion. He had to piece through what she’d said and the consequences. She couldn’t be his nanny if she was married. Shit. “What about Kyle?” Did he sound angry? Complaining?
“I love Kyle, but I can’t spend my every waking moment with him and you,” she said. “First, it’s not like you’re going to marry me and make me his mother. Second, you’re not over Gerry, although you should be because he was a dick. And third, you’re not my type.”
“Because I’m old?” He had to rationalize why she’d decided to leave. Right now, it didn’t make sense. Yes, he understood she wanted to move on and marry, but why not tell him before now? “I’m gay, and that’s the problem?” He wasn’t attracted to her, but he could make things work for Kyle’s sake. She was too young for his tastes, and a woman, but the care of his son came first. “Kyle loves you. He’ll be destroyed when he finds out you’re going.”
“He loves you, too.”
“I guess.” Adrien massaged his forehead. He’d always had a hard time connecting with Kyle. Christ. The kid was four years old. No matter how hard Adrien tried not to, he treated Kyle as if he were older and expected more from him than the child could do. Why? Because Adrien had been raised the same way. He hadn’t been given a chance to be a kid. His mother had expected him to behave like an adult. He processed things like a child would—because he was a child. That didn’t help Adrien’s feelings of cluelessness. Kelsi knew how to reach Kyle and explain things on his level. Kyle had flourished once she’d become his nanny. Now she was leaving.
“You’re an arrogant jerk,” Kelsi said. “Aren’t you going to ask who I’m marrying or congratulate me? No. You’re trying to figure out how to fix this and change it to go along with what you want.” She snorted. “You’re thinking you’re in a bind—not how this is good for me.”
“I—” She had him pegged. “You’re right.” He hated being so callous.
“I knew it. This is your problem. You are selfish. How does the situation affect you—not how will this affect Kyle.” She rolled her eyes. “I know you want to care, but you don’t know how, do you?”
She was right. Again. “I don’t think I’m that bad, but okay.” He wasn’t in the mood to argue with her. “Congratulations. I hope he’s everything you want and you’re truly happy.”
“I am. I can’t wait to be married.” She beamed. “But you’re not off the hook. You must step up with Kyle. He’s a little boy and you can reach him. You’re not a bad guy—you just need rewiring when it comes to parenting. Better yet, you need a man who can work with you to be that better dad, rather than being Gerry.”
She had a point. Gerry had dominated parenting and had kept Adrien out, until Gerry couldn’t handle being a dad. Like Adrien had an idea how to parent? He didn’t. But right now he’d focus on Kelsi rather than his present situation. “Who is the lucky guy?”
“Mike. He says we’re leaving for Vegas tomorrow.” She hopped up from her seat on the edge of his desk. “I’ve never been outside of Ohio, let alone to Vegas.”
Mike? Vegas? “Hold on.” He needed a moment. “Mike? As in Dr. Cline?” His office mate was the only Mike he knew who happened to be a dentist.
She nodded and rubbed her hands on her thighs. “He proposed last night.”
Shit. He’d thought he knew his office partner, but Mike hadn’t said a thing about dating. Hell, he hadn’t mentioned wanting to get married a second time, either. But knowing what Adrien did now explained why Kelsi had seemed to hang around the office so much more. “So…tomorrow you’re flying to Vegas.” Doesn’t Mike have patients tomorrow?
“It’s last minute, yes.” She paced the length of his office. “We’re leaving after his last appointment. When I go to his house tonight, we’re packing so we can grab and go.”
“I see.” At least Mike was being responsible. “Are you going to tell Kyle goodbye? Or just disappear?”
“Disappearing would be cruel,” she said. “I’m going to tell him tonight, but he knew I was seeing Mike.” She paused. “Kyle will be fine. He’s young and I’m not leaving his life altogether. You’ll get a new nanny and step in as more of a hands-on parent…and he’ll be fine.”
“He loves you. He’ll be crushed.” Age had nothing to do with the problem. His son was attached to Kelsi.
“He can love someone else, too.” She tipped her head. “Maybe you could find someone, too. Maybe you’ll see you’re a good father who just needs a nudge in the right direction. If you stop being afraid of parenting and dating and life…you’ll be okay. I know it.”
“I’m not scared.” Not of the things she’d mentioned. Was he?
“You are, too. Ever since Gerry left, you freak.”
“I don’t.”
“You won’t date.”
“I’m busy.”
“Too busy to be happy? Too busy to get to know your kid? Come on,” she said. “Don’t ignore you’ve been hurt, but don’t glom onto that hurt like it’s a lifeline. It’s not.”
She was only twenty-five, but she approached the situation with the maturity of an older woman. He sighed. “That hurt runs deep.”
“I know,” she said. “I heard the things Gerry said. He is a dick. He never should’ve been so rotten, but he was and you have to move forward.”
She’d seen some of the issues, but not all. She hadn’t been around when Gerry had begged Adrien to help him have a child. His ex had wanted a son and had connected with Kyle’s surrogate, but once Kyle had been born and proved to be more of a challenge than a doll or toy, Gerry had left.
“He was never strong enough to be a dad for the duration,” Kelsi said. “You are.”
“I’m a crusty old dentist,” he said. “Who wants to be with a guy like me? Most people hate the dentist when they aren’t trying to date him.” Kelsi was one of the few individuals he knew who liked dentists.
“You’re old, but you’re not crusty. You’re more defined than a lot of guys my age.” She shrugged. “But you’ve got fifteen years on me. You’ll always seem old.”
“Thanks,” he muttered.
“Luis liked you.”
“He wanted us to move. I like Cedarwood.”
“So that was a minor drawback. What about Eric? He was sweet, too.”
“He lived with his mother because he didn’t want to pay for an apartment. I want someone a bit more responsible and independent,” Adrien said.
“Okay, I agree. He might have been an odd choice after all,” she said. “But you can’t ignore everyone because there might be issues. You deserve better.”
He bit back a growl. Not only was she making sense, she wasn’t going along with his plans. Sure, she didn’t know the plans per se, but that didn’t matter. She was leaving when he wanted her to hang around and be there for Kyle until Adrien sorted out his life. Besides that, Adrien hated change. She’d thrown him a curveball and he didn’t know how to deal. Give him an oral issue, an infected molar or lost crown and he could find a solution. In his life? No chance. He wanted the status quo back.
“Hey, you need to give yourself more credit and try harder with Kyle. Things will work out,” she said. “Why don’t you go to that support group? I’m sure they could give you tips for forging a relationship with Kyle.”
“How do you know?” He’d seen the fliers for the support group but had doubted its effectiveness.
“Because I can’t help you forever. You need to be a dad. Stop being scared, like I said. This could be what you need to get you going in the right direction.” Kelsi patted his shoulder. “The group is there to listen and a new man could be the partner you deserve.”
“You going is not what I need,” he blurted. “I can’t do this on my own.” No support group, parenting tip or change would help.
“You have to force yourself to try with Kyle and to not be like your mother. She isn’t his parent—you are.”
He hated when Kelsi was right. “I’ll still need a nanny. I can’t stay home with Kyle and still keep regular hours here at the office.”
She hugged him. “I know it’s scary. Getting married is exciting and scary as hell to me. I’ll be living with Mike. What if we’re not as compatible as I want? I don’t want to be divorced ever.” She shook her head. “You can handle Kyle for the weekend. You’ll take him to preschool on Monday and if you have to reschedule a few appointments, the world won’t end. Just explain to your patients there are a few quirks you have to fix with your life and they’ll understand.”
“Kelsi.” She made things seem so easy.
“I’m not turning down Mike or a trip to Vegas.”
He had to stop being selfish. He could handle being a dad, even if he was afraid. “I’m sorry. Have a great time and enjoy the vacation. You deserve to have your dreams come true. Congratulations and I’m thrilled that you’re happy. Thanks for working with me and Kyle. You helped us a lot and you’ll be hard to replace.”
“Thank you.” She clapped him on the shoulder again. “Take a breath. You can do this.”
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