Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Javier Valdez hasn’t had much luck with nannies, and he can’t imagine this one will be any different. Octavia Klein is all sass to his stoicism, free spirit to his hard work. But he’s a widower, and with a career in the NBA, he can’t keep doing this alone.
Despite Javier’s reservations, Octavia turns out to be the best thing for his four-year-old daughter…and for him. But he’s reluctant to admit it. Javier swore off love after his wife died, and Octavia has her own reasons for avoiding relationships.
As their bond deepens far past professionalism or even friendship, it’s hard to deny the crackling tension of something more. They’re both toeing lines they said they wouldn’t cross—and when their pasts come rushing back, there’s no telling which way they’ll fall.
With old wounds reopened, can Javier and Octavia overcome the pain once again? Or will their future together become just another scar?
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
One
Octavia
When I was little, I was a firm believer that love expressed in any form was amazing . . . until I was introduced to the toxic side of it.
At first, you don’t even realize the harm. You ignore the red flags and the subtle twists in the pit of your stomach warning you that something isn’t quite right. Then the person claiming to love you does something unforgivable, and you’re left with no choice but to walk away from it.
It’s heartbreaking when all you’ve ever wanted is to love and be loved.
To feel safe and cared for.
I couldn’t help thinking, after all I’d endured, is it even worth it to be in a committed relationship? Is it worth putting trust into more people, just to either lose them or be hurt by them?
In the end, I came to my own conclusion: Falling in love had to be a joke. Because if love was serious, it wouldn’t have done me so dirty.
Two
Octavia
“Are you nervous?” Davina’s voice poured out of my car’s speakers as I gave my steering wheel a right turn.
“Nervous? Why would I be nervous?” I asked, driving along a single-lane road. I’d gotten off the highway about twenty minutes ago. Atlanta traffic was a pain in the ass, so it was a relief to be on a quieter, emptier street.
“Because, as much as I like Javier as a person,” my sister said, “he doesn’t mess around when it comes to Aleesa.”
“Um, yeah. I gathered that when he freaked out about me tickling her chin in Miami. But no, I’m not nervous. I’m seeing this opportunity like all the others. He’s just a parent who needs assistance.”
“Okay. Well, just do me a favor, Tavia, and don’t piss him off, please.”
“What?” I shrieked, feigning innocence. “How could I ever piss anyone off?”
“You’d piss him off because you love to make fun of people.” She laughed. “To us, it’s all harmless jokes. We’re used to teasing each other, but Javier didn’t grow up the way we did. If you embarrass him in his own home, he’ll probably fire you for it.”
“Fine. I promise to be on my best behavior.” I sighed. “Especially with Mama needing more money for Abe’s therapy.”
Our baby brother, Abraham, was autistic, and after years of trial and error, we’d found the perfect clinic for him. His new therapist was patient, kind, and thorough but insanely expensive. Ever since starting there, though, Abe had built more confidence in himself, was a bit more eager to try new things, and was becoming better at communicating with us. The communication part was important. In my opinion, the therapy was worth every penny. Unfortunately, to keep this good thing going for him, I needed to keep raking in more pennies.
“Don’t worry about money, sis,” Davina said. “I told you I’m helping them. His therapy payments will be taken care of.”
“Yeah, but if I’m going to be away from home for who knows how long, I need to contribute something. I feel guilty every single time for just packing up and leaving when I get a new job. And with Mama’s fragrance shop going downhill . . .” I blew out an exasperated breath. “I just want to support them where I can. If Abe loses his spot at the clinic, they won’t take it well.”
“Everything will be fine,” my sister cooed. “I would never let them sink. They’ll be okay, Octavia. Besides, Mama has dealt with much worse. You are trying to get back on your feet, so just focus on this new job. Everything will work out.”
I released a frustrated breath. I had driven four hours to Atlanta so I could be interviewed by Javier Valdez, an NBA player and the starting center for the Atlanta Ravens. He wasn’t as famous as my sister’s fiancé, Deke Bishop, but people loved him nearly just as much. He was thirty-four years old (four years my senior), and I’d have found him extremely irresistible . . . if he wasn’t such a grumpy asshole 70 percent of the time.
The 30 percent when he wasn’t a Scrooge was when he interacted with his daughter. She was the only person I saw him being genuinely nice to. Well, her and his best friend, Deke.
To many, getting the chance to work with a man who played professional basketball (and who was sexy as hell, might I add) would’ve been a dream.
Javier Valdez was a six-foot-five Argentinean giant with insane attitude. It could’ve been a dream for me for sure . . . if he didn’t loathe me. I was surprised he’d given me a call a week ago and asked if I could meet him at his house, or that he wanted me anywhere near his precious baby girl.
I believe during my brief trip to Miami with Davina a few months ago, he realized I was a good fit for Aleesa. Davina flew out to meet one of her investors, Chester, for lunch, and afterward he invited us to a penthouse party he was hosting. I joined her because I had never been to Miami and it had felt like the perfect opportunity. That’s when I met Javier and Aleesa.