Temporary Nanny

Chapter 15

"Say Charlie, Stel. Come on, Char-lie." I say carefully to the baby sat in her high chair. "Give it a rest, she's not going to say Charlie and she's definitely not saying it before mine." Michael walks into the kitchen all messy dark hair and rough morning voice.

"Why wouldn't she say Charlie? I'm family." I croon with a grin, feeding Stella more of her banana flavored food. Michael rolls his eyes fondly. "Will you let that go already?" He chuckles. "Nope." I take a bite of my own breakfast.

"Well she's not going to say Charlie." He says matter-of-fact. Then shrugs, "It's too long." "But she has to say my name." I pout. "Then try Char, but not until she says dada! Or daddy or even a mumbled attempt of the word."

"We'll see who wins." I sniff. "Hey I made her, I think I deserve first word." He frowns lighthearted. "That's debatable." I hum, giving Stella her last scoop of food. He responds from across the table with a look that's crossed between bewildered and mock-offense.

"So what's your schedule like today then, are you going in today?" I ask as I head to the kitchen with dirty dishes. "Yeah for a bit." He answers distractedly eyeing me as I come back into the room, lifting Stella from her seat.

"What?" I bite back a smile and ignore the sudden warmth of my cheeks. "Nothing," he shrugs with a smirk. "My clothes just always look better on you." I snort out a laugh and tease, "What a lame line." "Shut up." He mutters with his own pink cheeks.

"Do I look good enough for you to agree on a lunch date with me and Stel?" I ask hopeful. "Always have time for lunch dates with Stel." He grins mischievously. "You're not cute." I roll my eyes in mock-annoyance.

He smiles widely calling out a that's not what you were saying last night as I walk back up the stairs for Stella's bath.

-

As the day goes on I go about my usual routine with Stella, trying to get her to walk or say my name. At this point I'd take either one. But still get nothing.

She has her afternoon nap early so she's not fussy for our lunch date with Michael who conveniently needs to push the time back a bit.

After getting her and myself ready we set off to Michael's work to meet him for lunch.

I'm not really sure where Michael and I are. It's kind of just an unspoken comfortableness that neither of us have wanted to disrupt. If there's one thing I know, it's that it isn't serious. It isn't a relationship. It's just..fun.

Except that it totally isn't. Sure, if I set aside all the pent-up feelings and angst then sure it's fun. I've never had a physical relationship like this where that's all that it is - just purely physical. But I'm positive I'm doing it all wrong.

Maybe if I hadn't started catching feelings before we even started. Maybe if I voiced those feelings before it started.

Maybe if I had just let go of all those feelings.

But I did start catching feelings beforehand. I didn't voice those feelings. And I can't for the life of me seem to let those feelings go.

Part of me knows there's no way this is going to end well for either of us yet I can't seem to care or listen to that sane part of me. No matter how many times it screams out at me.

No matter how many times I have to physically stop myself from running my fingers through his dyed hair, or from greeting him with a kiss or spilling my feelings for him every time he so much as glances at me.