Page 23 of A Convenient Secret

“No, please, go ahead.” He doesn’t look at me.

I reach for the juice carton and pour myself a glass. He gets milk for his coffee and closes the fridge. The color-coded schedule glares at me from the board. Right. Let’s focus on the job at hand.

Soccer practice for Zach after school, and swimming for both of them afterward. Good, at least there won’t be room for silly ideas like a confetti fight.

“I finished. Thank you, Dad.” Zach slides down from his stool and walksout.

“You’re welcome,” his father says from somewhere behind me. “Zoya, hurry up.”

“I’m done. Can you dwive us, Daddy?” She tilts her head, her eyes pleading. But there is a hint of calculation she can’t hide. She must know what effect she has on people.

“You know I can’t,” Declan says. I guess she doesn’t affect all people.

“But why?” She pouts.

“Zoya, we can’t talk about this every single morning. Lily will drop you off. Go get your things.”

She pouts more, her lip practically covering her whole chin, but she doesn’t argue and leaves.

The minute we’re left alone, the air changes, charged with something. Something I’m surely imagining.

“I better go and get them to school.” I don’t look at him and start leaving.

“Lily,” he says.

I pause. “Yes?” I breathe. I freaking breathe.

Is he going to talk about the confetti mess? About my nanny fuck-up? About his erection?Don’t be silly, Lils.He may want to discuss the kids’ schedule. Something normal. Like my employer. Jesus.

I turn.

“Your juice.”

What? Declan is pointing at my still-full glass. Inmy nervous awareness of his presence, I filled it to the rim and forgot to drink it.

I don’t want the juice, but I don’t want him to think I’m crazy. I take the glass gingerly, putting it to my lips, and really hoping I won’t embarrass myself by spilling it all over me.

I gulp it down, painfully aware of Declan’s gaze. Sonowhe is staring at me? I turn slightly, and he disappears from my peripheral vision. There is a kitchen island between us, but he feels indecently close.

Can this morning be any more awkward?

Putting the glass down, I try to walk normally to finally get out of the kitchen.

But I learn that the morning can indeed get more awkward when Declan asks, “Is this what you are wearing?”

Chapter 5

Declan

Have I really just asked that?

What the fuck?

As if it wasn’t enough I sported a semi in front of her yesterday, now I’m commenting on her clothes.

She looks hot in that dress. But for fuck’s sake, everyone could almost see her… That dress is too short.

Longer than her shorts yesterday, but it’s all flowy, and as she moves, it shimmies around her, drawing attention to her beautiful legs. But to her other parts, as well. They remain hidden, but so within reach in her indecent dress.