Page 97 of A Convenient Secret

“Merged is opening an office in London.” Declan’s voice is rough with a tinge of resignation. He lifts his head, and our eyes lock in the mirror again.

The mention of London spikes my heart rate, but this is not about me.

“And you and Corm have some disagreement over that?”

He closes his eyes briefly and rubs his cheek against mine. He kisses me gently and looks back at me. “It’s me against the three partners. They think I should lead the new branch for at least a year.”

“Move to London?”

He nods.

“And you don’t want to do that because of the kids? You don’t want to uproot them?”

He straightens and steps around me to lean against the vanity. His back to the mirror, he pulls me to stand between his legs. “You get it.” He runs his hands up and down my forearms.

God, I will miss his touch. The thought intrudes on the important conversation and ties a neat knot in my stomach. I push it away, because this man is confiding in me and I want to be present.

“I mean, I believe that living in a new country is a great experience, but there will be plenty of time for that later. They are little and need stability, especially in your circumstances.”

Something akin to awe and relief settles in his expression. “You do get it. Corm’s argument is that with the kids starting a new school in September, it’s the best timing. The problem isn’t just their stability—it’s an important factor, of course.”

“What else?”

He sighs. “I know I’m the best man for the job, but the idea of relocating, finding new schools, a new nanny… just the whole spiel feels exhausting. At least here my mother can help. Or even Corm and Saar. But there? I will be even busier than now, and I will again depend on strangers. I felt helpless and out of control for so long. I will never cross that line again.”

“Those are all reasonable considerations. You value order, planning, and control in your life. You don’t need to apologize for that.”

He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You really are perfect.”

The words hit me hard, especially after the earlier thought about the temporary nature of our arrangement. I really didn’t think this through.

What happens after he doesn’t need a fake wife? Will I stay his nanny? This was less of an issue before this weekend. Now everything is confusing.

“Your kitchen would disagree.”

He chuckles and kisses my forehead. “You really think I’m not making a mistake?”

“I think you have the means to relocate to London whenever you want, if you really want to, but you don’t want to at the moment. It’s your life, your decision. Besides, in your current situation, the whole proposition is mute.” I cup his cheek. I guess I can’t not touch him either.

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

“You’re in the middle of a custody battle. I doubt Kendra would give you consent to take the kids abroad on vacation, let alone long-term.”

His eyes shift down, his jaw ticking. He turns awayfrom me, bracing his arms on the sink. I guess mentioning Kendra triggers him.

I kiss his back. “Talking about kids, when are they coming back? I miss them.”

“You do?” He turns, the cloud over his expression gone.

I nod. “I mean, I love the way you fill my time, but I still miss them. Maybe we can pick them up later today instead of tomorrow?”

I’m so attached to this little family already, it scares me.

He smiles, and from a man whose smiles are so rare, it just wraps me in a fantasy I decide to enjoy while it lasts.

“I think it’s a great idea, little Seagull, but let me do some of thatfilling of your timefirst.”

“For the love of God, there is nothing between me and Xander. We had fun dancing. Period.” Cora shakes her head, her hands huddled around her coffee mug. “It’s not like I knew anyone else there to dance with. I’m not from your world.”