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“Good, you know how she is,” I answer vaguely.

“I do.” He nods. “I’d rather you both be at ours, though, especially if you’re worried about being home alone.”

“It’s okay,” I rush, not wanting to worry them. “It’s okay. With Sam there, we’re okay.”

“Good.” Christopher turns to Leonard again.

“Oh, um, you guys know Leo.” I gesture to him. “I’m the new nanny.” I don’t look toward him when I say this. I know it hurt. The words even sting me.

“Oh, that’s good.” Helen smiles, finding Riley on the playground.

“Leonard.” Christopher nods, but his brows are furrowed.

“Christopher.”

I stay turned away, but his tone shows just how impressed he is.

Christopher’s phone chimes with a text.

“We need to head to the truck yard. They need a hand in the office. Kaleb needs to delegate more. This phone hasn’t stopped since I told them to bother me instead of him.”

Leo stands straighter in my peripheral vision.

Seeing my confused look, Helen clues me in.

“Kaleb needed a break. He’s staying at the cabin for the week.”

So is Sam,I silently add, the puzzle falling into place. The only reason she’d lie to her family and not tell me is something involving Kaleb. That man owns her, so maybe she’s finally admitted it.

A few more hugs are given, along with promises to get together soon before the Cromwells walk away.

They’re barely out of earshot before a body presses against my back. “Don’t ever refer to yourself as my nanny ever again. Am I clear?”

Oh, he’s mad, mad.

I swallow thickly.

I start to turn, but he holds me by the waist.

“Answer. Me.”

“Yes, sir.” I practically pant.

The hands touching me squeeze.

“Why did you lie for Samantha?”

I try to turn again, but can’t.

“Because I love her, and she needed me to.”

A kiss is pressed to the back of my head.

“Good to know. You ever lie to me like that, and I will not be the gentleman you know.”

When I stay quiet, Leo stiffens.

“Have you ever lied?”