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I tilt my head, considering her for a moment. Then, before I can stop myself, the words are out—smooth, casual, like I’ve already made the decision in my mind.
"Then let’s go."
She blinks. "What?"
"After Robbie’s done with school," I say, leaning back against the lounge chair, keeping my voice even, like this isn’t a big deal. "My studio doesn’t have any major premieres until mid-summer. Things will be slow for a while. We could go. Spend a few weeks there."
Annie stares at me, completely silent. It’s rare to see her without a quick-witted response, and for some reason, that makes me want to push further.
"Think about it," I say. "A private island. No interruptions. No schedules. Just you, me, and Robbie."
Her lips part slightly, and I watch as a flush creeps up her neck. She swallows, and when she finally speaks, her voice is quieter. "You’re serious?"
I nod. "Why not?"
She blinks a few times like she’s still trying to process. "I mean—I just—I didn’t think you ever actually took vacations."
I arch a brow. "I don’t."
She lets out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. "So why now?"
Good question.
I don’t have an answer that won’t sound insane.
Because I like seeing you relaxed. Because you make things feel easier. Because I don’t want this—whatever this is—to disappear the moment we step back into reality.
Instead, I shrug. "Maybe yourlazyways are rubbing off on me." I say it as a joke, but she doesn’t laugh.
Her cheeks turn pink, and she looks away, fidgeting with the edge of her towel. "I—I don’t know, Cole.That’s a big—"
“What’s there to know? I’m your boss, and we’re going,” I say, settling the matter and not giving her time to overthink it. “My son will be there, and you’re his nanny.”
She hesitates, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip, and something about the way she’s suddenly nervous makes my stomach tighten.
Then, finally, she exhales. "Okay.”
I nod, satisfied. "Good."
For a moment, we just sit there, the sounds of the pool fading into the background. The idea of getting away—of shutting out the rest of the world for a while—it shouldn’t appeal to me as much as it does. But with Annie? With Robbie?
Maybe, for once, it doesn’t sound so impossible.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Annie
The last month has gone by in a complete blur. One minute, I was watching Robbie and his friends splash around in the pool, and the next, I was standing on an airport tarmac, staring up at a private jet that was about to take me to a private island.
How did I get here?
I mean, I know how, obviously. Robbie wrapped up school, Cole wrapped up work—as best he could—and now we’re taking a vacation. Together.
I mean, technically, I’m here as a nanny, but I’m also sleeping with my boss?
Ugh, I’m such a cliché.
But the whole thing still feels surreal, like something out of a dream—or a movie I’m not fancy enough to star in.