“Jesus. How did this happen?” he asked out loud, talking to himself.
Light laughter sounded as Quinn joined him in the brightly lit room. “Do you really want an answer?”
Knowing the direction of her thoughts, he shook his head.
She’d changed into a pair of black leggings and an extra-long red tank top. He was used to seeing her dressed for work, and the sight of her wearing casual clothes that showed off her body, her full breasts and curvy hips, had him drooling. When it came to Quinn, it didn’t take much for her to have an impact.
He leaned against the counter and forced himself to focus. “Thanks for the help with the shopping list. And for everything else.” He didn’t know what he’d do if she hadn’t stepped up.
“You’re welcome. I’m not heartless and I won’t leave you stranded without help.”
He gestured toward the table and chairs and they settled in across from each other. He glanced at the baby monitor, which showed a sleeping infant, but his insides were jumping and he was nervous, waiting for her to wake up screaming at any moment.
He glanced at his assistant, who, in the last twenty-four hours, had shocked him with her baby abilities. He’d called her because he couldn’t think of anyone else to help him, but he hadn’t really expected that she’d be a pro.
“So tell me. How do you know so much about babies?” he asked.
Quinn blinked, obviously surprised by the question.
He leaned his arms on the table and studied her. “I mean, you jumped into the deep end with me like a champ. You knew exactly how to make a bottle, change a diaper, and calm a crying baby. Not to mention that shopping list. So where did all this knowledge come from?”
She sighed. “My family. It’s big like yours. Both my parents worked and I’m the oldest.” She shrugged. “They needed someone to watch the younger ones. And when my aunt had babies, it was always Quinn can watch the kids. It’s not that I minded so much as that it was just expected.”
“So while I was busy being pushed harder and harder in football, you were playing nanny.”
Her pretty green eyes opened wide. “Exactly! It got to the point where my parents thought I might as well become a full-time childcare giver. Nobody ever considered I might have other dreams for my life.”
He’d known her for a little over a year, and he’d never doubted her ability to run his office and business. “You’re damned good at your job, Quinn. And what you didn’t know about sports when you signed on, you learned on your own. I’ve always seen your drive to succeed.”
Her cheeks flushed at the intended compliment. “Then you saw something my parents didn’t. Even my brother doesn’t really understand me. I’m glad you do.”
As she met his gaze, an appreciative smile tilted her lips. “Look, I don’t mind helping you out for a while but I love my job. And I never wanted kids. Not after raising everyone else’s. So after you hire a nanny, I’m back to being your office assistant. Agreed?”
He swallowed hard, not understanding why her words caused a heavy weight in his chest. “Of course we’re agreed. Besides, for all I know, Jenny’s mother is going to show up any day and demand her daughter back.”
At that, Quinn frowned. “She doesn’t deserve to get Jenny back. Not after abandoning her on your doorstep.”
“On that we agree.” He didn’t know what he was going to do about Jenny, and any time he thought about it, panic set in. So he’d just take each step as it came. He’d have a paternity test done. He’d hire a nanny. He’d figure things out.
Quinn propped her chin in her hands. “While we’re sharing personal information, I’m curious how you accepted the news that Paul Dare was your father so easily? I started working for you right after you found out but you all seemed to handle it well.”
He rose and walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a can of soda. “Can I get you something?”
She shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m good.”
He popped the top and took a long sip before meeting her gaze, taking the time to figure out how to explain his unusual family situation.
“You know how you said nobody asked you what you wanted to do in your family?” He walked back to the table and sat down once more. “Well, nobody asked me what my dreams were, either. My father, the one who raised us, was a hard-ass bastard, if you want to know the truth.”
“How?” she asked softly.
“He wanted to live his lost dreams through us. He’d always planned to play pro football but an injury derailed him. Then, as we know now, he couldn’t have kids. Suffice to say, he was angry and bitter. But if he couldn’t play, his boys damn well would.” Jesse Prescott’s no-choice attitude had pervaded the household.