Dr. Desirable

Smiling, Brooke said, “Baby says hi to you, too.”

“I don’t hear baby,” Kelsey stated with a four-year-old’s certainty.

Nick grabbed Kelsey back up into his arms. “Only mommies can hear babies when they’re still in their tummies.”

“And daddies, too,” Michelle added, deciding she might as well join in and get it over with.

Nick glanced from Kelsey to Michelle, shock splashed all over his gorgeous face. “Michelle? What are you doing here?” He slowly lowered Kelsey to her feet. “Did you change your mind about the gala?”

She looked down at her ragged cutoffs and sloppy T-shirt. “Yeah, right. This is the latest in evening wear. Chic grunge. Do you like it?”

He gave her a lingering once-over and a slow-burn smile. “Works for me.”

She should have known better than to ask his opinion. “Actually, I have a date with your daughter this evening.”

Brooke took the opportunity to announce, “I’ll go see if Jared’s ready. And they say women take too long in the bathroom.” She scurried around the corner in record time to make her escape.

“You’re the baby-sitter?” The shock had returned to Nick’s face and resounded in his tone.

Obviously, Michelle wasn’t the only one left in the dark. “Yes, I’m the sitter. And if you’re worried about that, I can give you references.”

“I don’t need any references. I trust you. I just thought you had work to do.”

“I do, but it can wait until after Kelsey goes to bed, in case you’re worried I’ll neglect her for my layouts.” She knelt at Kelsey’s level and pointed to her left toward the sofa table sitting in the middle of the den. “There’s some fresh-baked cookies over there, Kelsey. You can have one if Daddy says it’s okay.”

Kelsey stared up at Nick. “’Kay, Daddy?”

“Sure. But save some for me.”

“’Kay.” Kelsey headed toward the treat, leaving Nick and Michelle alone to face off.

“Maybe I should change my plans,” he said after a few moments of silence.

“Then you don’t trust me.”

“I’m not saying that. I just thought it might be nice to have a visit. Me, you and Kelsey.” He heavily emphasized the “me” and “you” part.

“Why? And waste a good tuxedo rental?”

“I own it.”

He would. “Oh. But I’m sure your presence will be greatly missed,” she added, trying to discourage him from making good on his suggestion. She didn’t trust herself to be alone with him, even with his child present. Children eventually went to sleep. Unfortunately, her unwelcome attraction to him might not.