Chapter 6

Javier’s POV 

 

I made an offer that I was sure she wouldn'trefuse. I know I was ruthless about it, but what could I do? I’m really desperate here. When I called her later in the evening, I had a feeling she wouldn’t refuse my offer. 

I don’t know what I would do if she doesn’t accept my offer. I don’t even have a Plan B. 

I can get some work done today because Lucy is with my brother Joseph. He would have been my last resort for a babysitter, but I didn’t have a choice. 

The last time Lucy stayed with Joseph for a day, he fed her enough chocolates to last her a lifetime. I don’t know anyone who loves chocolate and ice cream as much as he does.

As it turned out, I was right to be wary about Joseph and his sweets. When I went to get Lucy after work, she was covered in chocolate, just as I feared she would be. She looked like a little monster covered in brown gunk on Joseph’s kitchen counter.

“Dada,” Lucy cried the moment she saw me.

I couldn’t help but smile at her words. I am still in awe of her calling me that.

“How is my favorite girl doing?” I asked, smiling at her, but I no longer had her attention.

“She is doing just fine, as you can see. I mean, she is with her favorite uncle.”

I rolled my eyes. Meet my brother Joseph.

“You really shouldn’t feed her so many chocolates.”

“Chocolates are good for the body, right, champ?” He was asking Lucy, but she was offinto her own baby world. “You got a nanny yet?” He opened another package of chocolate.

I shook my head. “I think I might have found one. I just need her to say yes to my offer.” I told him about Melissa Brooks.

“That’s the lady who got Lucy to quiet down the other day?” 

“Yes, that’s her.”

He snorted. “For sure she will take that offer. Nobody can ever say no to you.”

I raised my eyebrow. “I know, Joe, but we can’t be too sure, right? I really need her. What if she says no?

The very idea of it scared me because I’d never get any real work done ever again if I kepttaking Lucy to the office. 

“Then you and Lucy will just have to become inseparable,” he said with a mocking grin.

He just had to say that didn’t he? “That wasn’t funny, Joseph.”

The asshole laughed, anyway.

“Are you going to spend the night here?” he asked.

“Why would I spend the night here?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe because you are still here chatting with me. Which I know you won’t do naturally.”

“Just shut up, Joseph.” I sighed.

“It is a good thing that you are here. Just take that little champ home and give her a long and warm bath. She really needs it.”

We looked at Lucy who was licking one of the chocolate wrappers clean.

I chuckled. “Why should I be the one to bathe her? You fed her the chocolates.”

“I am not ready to get soaked from head to toe,” he said, snickering. 

“And you claim to be her favorite uncle.”

He smirked. “I’m her only uncle.”

“Whatever.” I plucked Lucy from the counter and made our way to the door. “Say bye to JoJo.”

She babbled something in response.

“Bye, champ, and please give daddy dearest here a hard time for me,” my smartass brother called out.  

I scoffed. “Goodnight, bro, and thanks for today.”

“Anytime, big brother!”

After giving her a bath, I put her in PJ Mask jammies and set her down in her crib.  I practiced some self-care myself by taking a shower and changing into my PJ pants. I turned off the light and got ready to sleep, making sure that the baby monitor was on.

Tomorrow is another day. I just hope Miss Brooks accepts my offer.