“Because regardless of what they say, they want that ring on their finger.” Jake lifted a hand and motioned for the waiter to bring him another drink. “I know you’ve got this thing against marriage but I think you should reconsider.”
Dan took a sip of beer. Jake had it all wrong. He didn’t have anything against marriage. He’d loved being married to Tess. From the time he’d first laid eyes on her, he’d known she was the one. When they’d said “I do” he’d happily planned on spending the rest of his life with her. His heart twisted.
“You’d have someone to warm your bed and that little girl of yours would have a mother,” Jake continued.
Dan shoved aside his memories and smiled at the thought of his daughter. Of all the things he valued most in his life, his six-year-old topped the list. “Emma is coping with the loss of her mother. Amy takes good care of her.”
Amy had been his daughter’s nanny for three years and Dan knew she loved Emma as if she were her own. She’d made the house a home for both of them.
“Which is all well and good,” Jake said. “Until ‘nanny’ finds a man and decides to get married and leave you.”
Amy wouldn't leave me.
Dan bit back the words, shocked at the strength of emotion the thought evoked. He started to say Amy didn’t even date, but stopped himself again. There had been one guy recently...
He’d been surprised—stunned would actually be closer to the truth—when Amy had casually mentioned she was going to the movies with someone she’d met at her cooking club. In all the years she’d lived under his roof, Dan couldn’t remember her dating before. Amy just never seemed like the dating type.
Not that she was ugly or anything. Far from it. With her brown hair, green eyes and a smattering of freckles across her nose, Amy had that natural, all-American look that any man would find attractive. She was smart. While she always had an opinion on the latest current events, she also liked to listen. Any man would be lucky to have her for a girlfriend or wife.
A tightness filled his chest. Jake was right If she left, he’d be stuck. He’d never find another nanny like Amy. He might even have to do what Jake suggested and remarry. A chill traveled up Dan’s spine.
Since he’d been fifteen, Tess had been the only woman Dan had ever wanted in his life. His wife had been beautiful, smart and a rising star in the fashion world with her innovative clothing designs. For the first five years of their marriage, life had been wonderful. Their careers had flourished and the old house they’d purchased in Lincoln Park was perfect for a growing family.
After Emma was born, Tess had decided there would be no more children. She loved her daughter but her pregnancy had been difficult and Emma was a fussy baby. When her new line took off like a skyrocket, her career began demanding more of her time and energy.
Dan had reluctantly put away his dream of a large family, but he hadn’t given up completely. When Emma was two he’d convinced Tess to have one more, promising her a full-time nanny. That’s when Amy had come to live with them. The second baby he’d wanted so much had died along with Tess.
Guilt washed over him, mixed with an overwhelming sense of loss. He’d give anything to be able to go back and tell Tess he didn’t care about having another child or a playmate for Emma, he only cared about having her in his life.
“Mark my words, it’s going to happen.” Jake, appearing to revel in his role as a prophet of doom, pulled Dan back to the present. “It’s just a matter of time.”
“Amy isn’t going to get married.” Even if he didn’t fully believe them, saying the words out loud made Dan feel better.
She couldn’t leave. He depended on her to keep his household running smoothly. He liked having her around. Over the past couple of years they’d become good friends. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like if she wasn’t there.
“She’ll get married.” Jake nodded his head to punctuate the point. “I've been thinking about asking her out.”
The comment set Dan’s teeth on edge. "Forget dating her. I know you too well to let that happen.”
Jake just laughed.
“Can I interest you two in some wings?” The waiter leaned across the table and slid Jake’s second drink in front of him.
Dan’s stomach growled and he realized with a start that lunch had been hours ago. He glanced at his watch and swore. Reaching into his pocket, Dan brought out a couple of bills and tossed them on the table.
“I’ll take a plate of the barbecued ones,” Jake said to the waiter before shifting his gaze to Dan. He lifted a brow. “You’re leaving?”
“I’m late.” Dan grabbed his briefcase and rose to his feet. “Amy will have dinner on the table.”
“I forgot.” Jake sat back in his chair, an inscrutable look on his face. “Superwoman does it all—cleans your house, cares for your kid and makes your meals. If you could just get her naked, you’d have it made.” Dan ignored the crude comment—and the hint of envy in his friend’s tone—and simply smiled.
It was true. Amy had breakfast waiting for him every morning and dinner ready every night. The house was always spotless and, when he entertained, she worked behind the scenes making sure every little detail was covered. Best of all, she cared for Emma as if the child were her own.
No, as long as Amy was in his house, all was well in Dan’s world.
“Dinner was fabulous, Amy.” Dan wiped the corners of his mouth with the linen napkin and heaved a contented sigh. “That dessert—”
“It was good, wasn’t it, Daddy?” Emma’s blue eyes sparkled the way they always did when her father was in the room.
“It certainly was, princess.” Dan’s fond smile lingered on his daughter. “Amy is a great cook.” Amy pushed back her chair and rose, unable to stop the warm flush of pleasure at the compliment. There was nothing she enjoyed more than trying new recipes. She hadn’t been sure how Emma and Dan would react to the citrus-glazed salmon, but she’d been fairly certain they’d love the sour cream peach pie with homemade ice cream.
“Can I get either of you anything else before I clear the table?” Amy’s gaze shifted from Dan to Emma.
“No, thank you,” Emma said.
Amy shot the little girl a smile of approval. She’d been working with Emma the last couple of months on her manners and it was obviously paying off.
“How about you?” Amy’s gaze settled on Dan. She’d lived in his house for over three years and sometimes felt she knew him better than he knew himself. Like now, she couldn’t help but notice the lines of fatigue edging his eyes. Lately he’d been working too hard...and socializing too much.
Last Friday night, she’d lain awake until 1:00 a.m. waiting for him to come home before she’d finally fallen asleep. She wasn’t sure what time he’d come in but the next morning he’d been at the table at eight, ready to take Emma to the zoo as promised. Saturday night he’d stayed in. They’d all gone to the park and had a picnic, then came home and played board games on the porch until it was time to go to bed.
Being home on a Saturday night had been just one of the signs that another of Dan’s relationships had come to an end. It hadn’t surprised her. Melinda had been calling a lot and trying to cozy up to Emma. Amy could have told her such behavior was the kiss of death. Once a woman was too eager, Dan lost interest. That’s why Amy had kept a tight lid on her burgeoning desire for him. As far as he knew, she didn’t feel anything more for him than simple friendship. She was his housekeeper, his daughter’s caregiver and his friend.