Page 98 of A Convenient Secret

She took a break after a busy lunch hour, and we’ve been teasing her relentlessly. I welcome the distraction because my mind is on Declan, and I needto start functioning without constantly thinking about him.

“Sorry, none of us besides Saar is from that world.” Celeste smiles at her.

“Now I feel like an outsider,” Saar huffs.

“That’s not what I meant.” Cora sighs. “I didn’t know anyone else besides you at the gala, so Xander actually stepping up and treating me to a fun night was exactly what I needed after spending the last three years here.”

“We need to take you out more often,” Saar says.

“Also, you and him dancing was the most scandalous thing that happened.” Celeste peeks into the stroller. “Beside my boobs leaking.”

“That is pretty sad.” Cora smirks.

“Where did you disappear to?” Saar turns to me.

My cheeks heat up. So much for trying to distract myself from Declan. “I was too tired.”

“Declan was probably grateful to get out of there. He hates these things.” Saar takes a bite of her wrap.

“I didn’t fire the night nurse, and now I feel guilty about it.” Celeste fortunately changes the topic.

“Because you didn’t fire her? I’m sure she’s grateful,” Saar points out.

“Guilty about having her. About not being there for Amelie at night.”

“I’m not an expert here, but I think you gettingbetter sleep allows you to be more present with her during the day,” I say. “You can be a zombie with her twenty-four seven, or you can be a hundred percent with her for twelve hours.”

“Wow, look at you, a nanny for a month and already such a pro.” Saar pokes me. “Are you enjoying the job?”

“I do. I really do.”

I’m also enjoying my boss very much, but I’m not ready to share that with them.

“I’m happy for you,” says Cora.

“I met someone, and he’s a bit older and more experienced than me,” I blurt out, surprising everyone, including me.

“Whoa, and you’re only telling us now.” Saar drops the wrap and turns to me. “Spill the beans.”

I chuckle. “There is nothing to say, but he’s a dirty talker and he wants me to… Well, to talk, as well.”

Cora tuts, and Celeste elbows her before turning to me. “And you don’t feel comfortable doing that?”

“Oh, I’m uncomfortable, but only because it’s so new, and I don’t quite know what to say. But his talk feels good.”

“You must have loved Declan’s kiss,” Cora says, wiggling her eyebrows.

Heat covers my cheeks. What? How does she know? “What are you talking about?”

I try to sound nonchalant while panic rises inside me.No one can know about this.I know he meant our pro forma marriage, but I’m still freaked out.

Cora shrugs, grinning. “If you found yourself another daddy.”

Jesus. I look away, not sure how to respond.

Luckily, Celeste picks up the conversation. “Unlike an orgasm, you can’t fake dirty talk. It needs to be genuine. Otherwise it kills the mood.”

“Just voice what you’re feeling when he’s doing something right,” Saar suggests.