Where You Belong: A Single Dad/Nanny Romance (The Giannelli Series – Love in Little Italy Book 1)
Where You Belong: Chapter 2

During my last year of school, the college scene held little to no appeal to me anymore. Instead of time spent in the bars or at frat houses, I chose to focus on my classes, my weekends consisting of lounging in my pajamas with a pint of ice cream and New Girl reruns.

As I glance down at my black slacks and white button-down shirt, the couple pounds I gained as a result of my ice cream habits are now obvious by my breasts stretching the material, begging to break free.

Now here I am, a twenty-one-year-old graduate from The Ohio State University and going on an interview for a summer nanny gig. Call it a quarter-life crisis, but it wasn’t until after receiving my degree in finance that I chose it on a whim, believing it would give me the most opportunities. In reality, I have no idea what I really want to do with my life.

I’ve never understood how anyone can possibly know what they want for the rest of their lives when applying for college at the age of seventeen. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent most of my life without anyone considering my feelings, so when it came time to pick something all for myself, I didn’t even know where to start.

I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy the major. I’m just not entirely sure finance is where my heart is.

Alicia has been such a lifesaver. She has a cute little apartment near the city and lets me crash on her couch whenever I want to visit from Columbus—which is often.

Living in my mother and stepfather’s house isn’t going to work for me long-term.

I’ve had my degree for a total of two weeks… am I supposed to have it all figured out right away? I didn’t think so, but they keep incessantly breathing down my throat about when I am going to settle down and replace work.

I think they just want me out of the house. They think I’m a distraction for my half-sister Emelia and half-brother Carter. My dad and stepmom live ten minutes away, but they aren’t much more welcoming.

When Alicia told me to stay with her tonight, I was in my car driving up Highway 71 faster than a puppy chews up a new toy.

‘Why are you so dressed up?’ Alicia asks from her bed as I straighten my shirt in front of her mirror. ‘It’s just a nanny position.’

I laugh. ‘I nannied all of my summers home from school. People with money, who are hiring you to protect their children, want to feel like someone with equal wealth and power will be the ones they are leaving their children with.’

‘That’s kind of ridiculous.’ She kicks off the bed and stands behind me, looking at me through the mirror.

‘Yeah,’ I agree as I put on a subtle pink lipstick. ‘Rich people are insane.’

‘Well, my dad said Gabe is a great guy. He’s apparently kind of young for all the money he has come into recently. Maybe he won’t be a total dick.’

I shrug my shoulders. ‘Doesn’t matter to me if he is or not. I’m just there to watch his daughter and make some money.’

‘If he’s the man I’m thinking of, he’s also fine as hell.’

Alicia raises her eyebrows suggestively.

Even if he is hot, I’m not sure what she thinks I’m going to do. I’ve been around attractive men before, I’m sure I can manage to watch a good-looking guy’s child without catching a crush. Besides, it’s not like I’ve ever felt tempted since my first and only boyfriend. It’s something I’ve never really told anybody, too embarrassed to even talk about.

‘I’m not bothered by that. There are good-looking people everywhere. I still manage to go about my life,’ I counter.

With one last glance in the mirror, I scrunch my fingers into the roots of my hair in an attempt for some last-minute body. I have long, thick brown hair. It’s both a gift and a curse. If I put forth the effort, I can make it look pretty good with long waves cascading down, but it’s so heavy that getting body up top is challenging.

‘We’ll see about that,’ she mutters under her breath, laughing at me. ‘So, he wants to meet you at his office? That’s kind of odd.’

‘Yeah. He said he needs to get some things done at the office and wants to spend some time with his daughter tonight. I guess if things work out, I’ll be starting on Monday. That will give me the weekend to drive home and pack up my clothes.’

‘How amazing would it be if we still get to live in the same city this summer?’ She claps her hands in excitement as she follows me to the front door.

The idea of still getting to spend one more summer with her would be amazing. Over the last four years, she’s become my family. Even her parents have taken me in as one of their own, letting me spend Easters and Thanksgivings with them when my own parents decided to take vacations with their new families.

‘I can’t even think about it right now. I may cry if I have to go back home this weekend and live with my mom.’

I grab my purse and slide into my black pumps.

‘How do I look?’ I open my arms to Alicia.

‘Hot, yet…professional,’ she says, looking me up and down. ‘Very nice.’

I smile and shake my head at her. I wasn’t going for hot, but I’ll take it.

When Gabriel called me last night, I was a bit taken aback. I knew Mr. Albertini was going to give him my number, but that was two weeks ago. When I never heard from him, I assumed he had already found someone. He is clearly desperate now, though. A phone call at ten p.m. asking me if I would be available for an interview the next morning doesn’t exactly sound like someone who wants to take their time.

‘Okay, I have to go. Wish me luck,’ I say as I blow a kiss.

‘Good luck, girl. You got this,’ she shouts as the front door closes.

I take the elevator down the three flights, not wanting to work up a sweat or trip in my heels.

I put his address into my phone and let navigation lead me to his office in Shaker Square. As I drive through neighborhoods of beautiful homes that look old and yet well-maintained, I’m surrounded by large trees that look like they are going to engulf you if you continue down the street.

When I get to the square, I notice a sign that reads Giannelli Family Selections. As I park my car, I look around at the beautiful architecture, and a flutter of nerves begins to dance around my stomach.

Upon entering the building, I am in awe of the crown molding and what appears to be the original hardwood floors that are still in amazing condition. The large staircase on the left leads up to French doors, and I slowly take the steps one at a time as I look around at the mosaic ceiling. I could get lost in the beauty of this building.

I open the door and am greeted with a beautiful display of wines and barrels surrounding another sign of the company name. As I approach the display, I’m struck by the labels that seem to be from countries all over the world.

‘You can take one, I won’t tell anyone,’ someone says, startling me. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.’

The man approaches me as he extends his hand. I shake it, trying to take in all his handsome features. He is tall and lean, with dark hair. He has a distinct jawline, made even more obvious by his perfectly shaved skin. The most shocking feature is his blue eyes against tanned skin.

‘Hi, I’m Alexis. Are you Gabriel?’

He laughs affectionately. ‘I’m his brother, Marcus. I’m the friendly one. You must be the new nanny.’

I adjust my blouse. ‘Oh, no. I mean, I’m here for an interview. We’ll see if I get the job.’

He looks me up and down, not subtle in his appreciation. ‘Gabe will hire you. He’d be crazy not to.’

A deep voice clears his throat from behind Marcus. I step back from Marcus as another man walks forward, stopping in front of me as my body instantly covers in goosebumps. This man looks very similar to Marcus, with the same dark hair, darker complexion, and tall build. The differences are that he has muscles that show through his suit, a light stubble covering his jaw, and dark eyes. They hold mine as I feel them assess me. I shiver at having this man’s full attention. There is something eerie in his stare…like I can feel his anger as he takes me in.

I’m not sure if I’m intimidated or turned on.

‘Marcus,’ the man says with authority. ‘Mind your business.’

Marcus gives him a serious look. ‘Just getting to know your new nanny.’

This is Gabriel? I’m not sure what I was expecting. Maybe someone like Marcus, a bit more friendly and laid back. Certainly not the man standing in front of me.

‘You can follow me, Miss Moretti,’ Gabriel instructs.

‘Oh, you’re Italian! Ma will love that.’ Marcus smiles at me mischievously.

Gabriel doesn’t acknowledge his comment as he begins to walk back down the hall he came out of. I don’t miss the glare that takes over Gabriel’s, or Mr. Giannelli’s, face. I’m not sure what he wants me to call him after his formal use of my name.

This man is seriously uptight. I want to whisper for Marcus to help me, but I’m not sure he would do anything to save me. Instead, I follow Gabriel until we are walking into a room with Gabriel Giannelli on the door.

He gestures for me to go in first. ‘You can take a seat in front of my desk.’

I walk into a large office with wooden floors, walnut crown molding, and antique-looking furniture. It screams power and wealth, but also someone who has appreciation for history.

When I take a seat in one of the leather chairs, Gabriel sits in his chair across from me. The desk divides us, reminding me that he is going to be my boss if I get the job. The other people I nannied for were a bit more laid back. We discussed my qualifications at their house, sitting on the couch or at the kitchen table with children running around.

I feel like I’m interviewing for a position at this company, not to be the nanny.

‘I see you already met my brother, Marcus,’ he says as he straightens his tie. ‘I assure you the rest of the family is normal.’

I smile. ‘He seems very kind. I didn’t realize he was your brother.’

Gabriel nods his head at me. ‘This is a family-run business. I started it with my siblings four years ago.’

‘It’s a beautiful building you have here. I love the history it portrays.’

He nods his head but doesn’t offer any further comments. ‘Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice.’

‘It’s no problem. It worked out that I was in town already.’

I squirm in my seat, still not sure how to act around him.

‘I’ll get right to the point. I need someone to be a live-in nanny for the summer to help take care of my four-year-old daughter, Sienna. My mother took a fall a couple weeks ago and needed surgery, so I need help while she recovers.’

‘I’m so sorry to hear about your mother,’ I sympathize with him. ‘But I would be happy to help you out this summer. I have a lot of experience with kids as I used to nanny during my summer breaks.’

His eyes are looking at me all dark and broody again as he assesses me. ‘How old are you, Miss Moretti?’

‘I’m twenty-one,’ I say with a smile. ‘And you can call me Alexis.’

I think I hear a grumble come from his throat. ‘Okay, Alexis. I’m gonna be honest, I’m not the most trusting person. I’m only coming to you because I’m desperate. The idea of leaving my Sienna with someone I don’t know makes me nervous, but I can’t be picky at this point, and Allen speaks highly of you. If I hire you, I would need your full cooperation. This is not one of those summer gigs where you can show up hungover to take care of my daughter or bring around other party-going college kids.’

I sit up straight in my seat. I don’t care how intimidating he is, I won’t let anyone talk to me like that. I’m not sure who he thinks he is.

‘With all due respect, Gabriel. I am not some teenage babysitter. I would never behave that way. Mr. Albertini would never vouch for me if he didn’t think I was a responsible adult.‘

I put emphasis on the last word because I’m not sure he understands that I’m not a sixteen-year-old who is going to invite her boyfriend over and sneak in beers.

‘Very well,’ he says, offering no apology. ‘What was your major at Ohio State?’

‘Finance.’

‘And you didn’t want to replace a job in finance instead?’ he asks condescendingly.

‘I just didn’t want to make a rash decision without weighing all of my options first.’

It’s getting exhausting explaining myself to people. Why are we expected to have our job lined up the day after we graduate? I’m not interested in taking the first job that comes my way just to quit within the first year.

Before Gabriel can speak, his door swings open, and a little girl with beautiful dark brown hair comes running in, chuckling.

‘Daddy.’ The girl smiles as she throws herself into the stone-cold man in front of me.

His eyes sparkle for her as a small smile spreads across his face.

‘Sienna, I told you that you can’t come in here right now. Daddy’s busy,’ shouts a man I haven’t seen yet as he barrels into the room.

This must be another brother. The genes of this family have blessed these men with incredible features. It’s really quite difficult to see this many attractive men in the span of fifteen minutes.

‘Who are you?’ the little girl asks me while sitting on her father’s lap.

I smile at her, taking in her adorable outfit. ‘My name is Alexis. What’s your name?’

‘I’m Sienna. Alexis is a pretty name.’

‘Thank you. I think your dress is very beautiful, Sienna. Did you pick it out yourself this morning?’

Gabriel is silent as he watches me interact with his child.

‘I did. Daddy picked out boring clothes. I told him I wanted to dress up for work. I’m helping them today!’

I chuckle at her answer. She is completely serious, and it’s adorable.

I can understand why Gabriel is so set on replaceing someone he trusts, but he has been trying to dissect our conversation, looking for something to criticize me about. The dude needs to chill out.