If You Give a Single Dad a Nanny (Aspen Grove, #1)

by Ann Einerson

For those who have struggled to find their place. Family isn’t defined by those who are biologically related to you. It’s the people who love you unconditionally, support your dreams, and stand by you no matter what.

I’m greeted with a captivating combination of one blue and one green eye. She has a pert nose, full, inviting lips and her cheeks are flushed as she looks down at me. I’m struck by the thought that I’ve never met someone this uniquely beautiful.

I admit I’m an unintentional expert at procrastination.

God, why is she so damn pretty all the time? Even with paint on her face, she’s stunning…

“You’re beautiful in whatever you wear, so a few extra layers won’t do you any harm, if you’re concerned about how you look.”

“Dylan, what are you doing?” she murmurs. “Thinking about what it would be like to kiss you,” I say softly. It’s not the first time. I imagine she tastes like strawberries and pink lemonade, sparking my curiosity to test my theory.

Good morning, sunshine, I hope you enjoy your breakfast. Have a great day. -Dylan

“It’s called playful banter,” Quinn corrects me. “Which everybody knows is just another form of flirting.”

“I want you to listen carefully, sunshine.” He cups my face with his hands and looks me directly in the eyes. “You might not be perfect, hell nobody is, but you are incredible just the way you are. You find the silver lining in any situation and have a gift for making people smile on their worst days.” He caresses my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “And your artistic ability is unmatched. How you can turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece is a rare and remarkable talent. Your differences are what makes you so damn special. “Let’s not forget that Lola worships the ground you walk on, and it’s your unique qualities that she loves most. She’s obsessed with your colorful wardrobe, shares your taste in music, and most importantly, you treat her like she matters.”

“For starters, I really want to kiss you, and if we’re being blunt”—I glance down the hall to make sure Lola’s still in the other room—“I want to strip you bare and fuck you.”

“Mark my words, Marlow Taylor, when we finally get a moment to ourselves, I’m going to do much more than kiss you.”

“I would have paid a million dollars for a Marlow Taylor original. But for this particular piece, I’d give up everything. It’s priceless because I’ll think of you and Lola every time I see it. You’ve brought color into our lives both literally and figuratively, and there isn’t a version of our future without you.”

Dylan might think of me as the color in his life, but he’s the brushstroke and the canvas in mine.