Page 173 of Bang

"Because you do it all the time."

"Yeah, so?"

"So I'm not used to it."

By now, heshouldbe used to it. I'd been smiling for months – sure, not all the time, because, hey, I still had a business to run.

And besides, Chase was the charming one, not me – well, normally, anyway. But he wasn't looking so charming now as he said, "Shit, maybeIneed a nanny."

Chase didn't need a nanny. What he needed was a swift kick in the ass. Over the last few weeks, he'd been getting plenty, thanks to the marketing blitz that was driving his foul mood.

But hey, this washisarea, not mine.

He'd figure it out.

As for myself, I had somewhere to be, and I didn't want to be late. With a smile, I stacked my papers and stood. If I were a better guy, I would've resisted tweaking the smart-ass brother who'd been tweaking me for years.

But the way I saw it, payback wasn't all bad.

So yeah, I whistled on my way out.

Hey, someone had to, right?

Chapter 64

Cami

I'd just pulled into Mason's garage, and I knew something was up the moment I got out of my car. It was the time of day I'd normally be bringing Willow home from school. But Arden had surprised both of us by swooping Willow up in the school parking lot for an impromptu Easter cookie bake-a-thon.

Until now, I hadn't even known therewassuch a thing as Easter cookies.

But I did know they'd be delicious, because when Arden and Willow got together, theyalwayswere.

As far as this particular bake-a-thon, Willow had loved the idea, and I'd agreed on the spot. These days, I didn't even need Mason's permission.Arden was family.And in a way, so was I.

Even though I was still technically the nanny, I wasn't feeling like an employee at all. Mason and I weren't hiding our relationship – not from Willow or from anyone else, including his brothers who I was becoming fonder of every day, even Chase, who was probably the biggest trouble-maker I'd ever met.

As far as Mason, he and I still clashed occasionally like any couple, but for some reason, it only seemed to make our relationship stronger. No matter how spirited our discussions became, we always ended up in exactly the same place – in each other's arms.

Now, standing in the garage, I couldn’t quite figure out what was different. Butsomethingwas. And then it hit me. It was the scent of flowers – and not justanyflowers.Roses.

I smiled. For the last few months, Mason had been surprising me with them on a regular basis.

My gaze strayed to his favorite car, parked right next to the nanny-mobile. Obviously, he'd left the office early and – judging from the scent of the flowers – had just gotten out of his vehicle and carried the roses inside.

I was still smiling.Was I lucky or what?

Turns out, I had no idea.

When I entered the house and made my way into the main living area, I felt my eyes widen in surprise.

The whole area from floor to ceiling was practically overflowing, not just with yellow roses, but with yellow balloons, floating above practically every surface. It was like something out of a dream or a maybe fantasyland, and I stopped to stare in open wonder.

And then, I laughed. "Oh, my God."

From directly behind me, I heard his voice, sweet and tender, say, "You're home."

Home.