Not Just Make Believe

Andrea Peterchef had no plans to be a nanny, but a change in job description lands her in the dubious position with spunky nine-year-old Piper. Even though her first day ends with tomato-soup puke and a sick kid, her outlook improves over a sexy conversation with Piper's guardian, Max. His voice evokes chocolate-scented dreams and the image of her perfect man, but he's a workaholic. No matter what, Andrea wants to give Piper the stability of a family, even if she has to go toe-to-toe with Max to do it. Maxwell Gildenthall is a stockbroker haunted by the 9/11 deaths of his girlfriend and his cousin -- Piper's dad. Deadlines and data define his life -- not baby dolls and Disney videos. When his plus-sized au pair badgers him into spending more time with Piper, he realizes he's been neglecting the child, and the chance to be near his pretty nanny is a bonus. Away from emotion-numbing work, he's racked by guilt and pain, which threatens the fragile relationship he has with Andrea. It will take more than a spoonful of sugar to make these problems go down smoothly.