Chapter Five

There was nothing wrong with the house, especially given the zip code, but Trevor didn’t think it was right. Gabrielle was taking each room seriously, standing with her hands on her hips, eyes narrowed like she was a real estate agent, judging every room. She had shaken her head about most of the houses they’d visited, and Trevor was beginning to lose hope they would ever find a house they both liked.

“It’s central,” Nick had said when Trevor showed him the listing. Though he had looked reluctant to offer an opinion, Trevor had pointed out that he would be living there too, even if it was as a nanny, and Trevor’s decision would be final, but he appreciated the input. Nick’s insights had been helpful, talking about schools and travel – something Trevor should have thought about, given the fact that Gabrielle wouldn’t be three forever. He also had some thoughts about neighborhood safety and privacy, both things with which Trevor was mostly concerned.

The last two had Nick’s expression shifting from considering to dislike, so Trevor should have expected them to be less-than-stellar. Nick had proven to be on point with his reactions.

“You’re coming with me this time,” Trevor said a few days later, shoving his tablet across the island and showing Nick the next house.

Nick looked startled, halfway through cutting a sandwich for Gabrielle. Though it was cramped in the small apartment, as soon as the contract had been finalized between them, Nick had moved in, leaving his stuff in the apartment as he had a month left on his lease. If Trevor hadn’t closed a deal on a house before then, his stuff would end up in storage until they were ready to move.

Gabrielle had taken to Nick’s moving in with grace, pleased that her car-playing hero was sticking around, and Trevor had no doubt he would be wrapped around her finger in no time.

“Why?” Nick asked, bringing Trevor back to the moment.

“Why what?”

“Why do you want me there?” Nick placed the sandwich on a plate and grabbed a juice box from the cupboard. There were slices of carrot and a yogurt on the plate as well. “Gabrielle, lunch!”

There was a patter of feet and Gabrielle came into the kitchen. Trevor smothered a laugh at the sight of her. Nick let her choose her own clothes in the morning, wanting to teach her a little independence, and Trevor couldn’t fault the results, even if Jetty had mocked the photos, wondering why Trevor let her out like that. She was dressed in pink leggings, a green dress, and fluffy white cat jumper. It was a clash and hurt Trevor’s eyes, but he would be damned if he made her change just to suit his vision. She was happy.

“Thank you, Mr. Nick,” Gabrielle said, as Nick lifted Gabrielle into her chair. It was something Trevor was used to doing, but he was trying not to interfere, knowing that Nick would be doing this daily when Trevor couldn’t. Once they had settled into a routine, Trevor would take over some of the little things on his days off.

“You’re very welcome, Miss Gabrielle.”

Gabrielle grinned and set into her sandwich. Trevor wanted to pick up the conversation with Nick, so he brought up a cartoon on the tablet and gave it to Gabrielle. He didn’t generally let her watch things while she ate, but once in a while wouldn’t hurt. When she was occupied with the tablet, Trevor leaned against the island. “I want you there because you’re going to live there.”

Nick raised his eyebrows. “I’m the nanny.”

“So?” Trevor asked. Though he asked the question, he suspected that Nick was going to bring up the same thing Jetty had, about misconceptions concerning people and their nannies.

“Everyone’s going to assume things,” Nick said seriously, folding his arms. He looked apprehensive. “I appreciate the job, and I love Gabrielle.”

“I love you too, Mr. Nick,” Gabrielle said. She had no idea what that meant, was in the phase of copying most things people said, but Trevor sighed anyway.

“I know that,” Trevor said, needing Nick to understand. “I’ve been a father for five minutes. I don’t know what I’m doing, but everything you’ve done so far has been for Gabrielle’s benefit.”

Nick’s expression went through a myriad of emotions. “You do a great job with her.”

Trevor checked to make sure Gabrielle was distracted, still swiping through the tablet, looking for videos. “Thanks, I appreciate that. It doesn’t change what I mean. I’m aware of my own faults where Gabrielle is concerned. I want her to be happy and safe. If that means having to ask my nanny,” he said, raising his eyebrows – and trying to let Nick know that he didn’t think being a nanny was somehow less than him. “I trust your judgment.”

Nick gave him a small, tentative smile. “Thanks.”

It was awkward sometimes, the two of them trying to co-exist in the same house when they were both the same age and had vastly different personalities and lifestyles. Not that Trevor didn’t like him, quite the opposite, but it could be difficult acclimatizing to someone else in the house when he’d been so used to living alone – it had been the same with Gabrielle. For the most part, however, they got on well enough and Trevor appreciated his input.

“So, will you come?”

“Where is Mr. Nick going, Daddy?” Gabrielle had a slice of carrot in her hand, frowning at Trevor.

Trevor didn’t want to drag Gabrielle into the conversation, afraid that Nick would think he was using her.

“Daddy wants to know if I’ll come with you to see the house,” Nick said, that same smile on his face. It didn’t seem malicious, and Trevor hesitated before answering.

Gabrielle dropped the carrot. “Are you really, Mr. Nick?”

Trevor raised his eyebrows, not sure what to say. It wasn’t often he was lost for words, but he wasn’t entirely sure Nick was doing this because he’d already made up his mind to come, or if he was doing what Trevor was afraid he was.

“I will,” Nick said, peeling the lid of Gabrielle’s yogurt off and placing it on the tray.

Gabrielle cheered and dipped her carrot in the yogurt.

Trevor wrinkled his nose – it looked disgusting – and matched Nick’s smile. “I guess that’s my answer then.”

Later, when Gabrielle was settled on the couch with a book and some cuddly toys to read to, Nick pulled Trevor aside, both of them hovering in the doorway in case Gabrielle needed them.

“I would never use her to win an argument,” Nick said, seriously.

Trevor flushed. “I know. I didn’t want to answer in case you thought I was doing that.”

Nick snorted, rubbing at his face. “Sorry I was being difficult about the house thing. You make everything seem so normal,” Nick waved his hand around, encompassing the room, “You’re a pretty great guy and it’s hard to remember sometimes that I’m the nanny and not a friend.”

Trevor could understand the thought, even if it set alarm bells ringing in his head. He shut them up quickly; “There’s nothing wrong with being friends with the guy who’s caring for your daughter.”

Nick didn’t answer for a moment, but he didn’t look horrified. The opposite in fact and Trevor wished Nick would smile like that more often. “You’re something else, Trevor Raines.”

“So I hear,” Trevor said, grinning like an idiot.

Laughing, Nick turned back to Gabrielle, who immediately demanded he help her with a hard word. “What do we say?”

Gabrielle sighed, put-upon, but she looked up at him with wide eyes. “Please, can you help me, Mr. Nick?”

“Of course, Miss Gabrielle,” Nick said, with an easy smile.

Trevor really had hit the jackpot with nannies, even though so many voices in his head, that sounded suspiciously like overly-invested family members, were telling him to be careful.