Page 8 of Nanny for the Bodyguard

“Hey.” I offer a stiff nod. “Come on in.”

She steps in past me, and the breeze wafts her fragrant perfume by my nose. Lilacs and honey. My brain scrambles, remembering that scent.

I gave her that bottle of perfume while we were dating. It can’t be the same one, but the fact that she’s still using it…

Don’t kid yourself, Easton. It just smells nice. It doesn’t mean anything.

Clearing my throat, I gesture toward the back of the house. “The kitchen is just down that hall. I figured we could chat a bit about what you can expect with Jade.”

“Sure thing.” Hazel nods, her smile still so bright as she flashes it over her shoulder.

I can’t tell if she’s truly unaffected by all this or if she’s putting on a brave face. When she turns back around, though, I can’t help but catch a glimpse of her ass in those leggings.

Hazel is wearing a long but thin-looking cardigan and those black pants. You’d assume it was actually fall outside for how she’s dressed, and I scoff out a quiet laugh.

Always was a freeze baby.

“Hi, Jade!” My niece perks up from the couch, tossing down her book and scurrying around the coffee table to give Hazel a hug. “Oof! Haha. Nice to see you, too.”

“Are we doing something now?” Jade asks excitedly.

“Soon. I just want to chat with Hazel about your usual routine. Cool?”

Ever since Hazel pointed it out, I’ve asked Jade about what it was like with her parents. She’s been more open than I expected, but it’s nice to know actual,physicalthings I can do to help her ease into things here.

“Fine. But hurry! I want to play!”

I laugh right along with Hazel, and then we pass through the living room to the kitchen. Hazel takes a seat at the massive marble island in the center, and I walk to where I set my coffee.

“I’d ask if you want some, but I see you’ve got it covered.”

Hazel glances from the mug in my hand to her own tall cup. “Oh, yeah. Sorry, I’m picky about my coffee. I only go to the shop where we ran into each other. It can’t be substituted.”

“I see.” Heading to the island, I take a seat on the stool next to hers, but far enough away to avoid being creepy. “Well, it just so happens that I get beans from there, so great minds, I guess.”

A sweet expression of shock plays over her face, and I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my lips.

We still have quite a bit in common, and I don’t know what to make of that. Not for the first time, I wonder if this is the best idea.

“Well, damn. I’ll hand it to you. That’s good taste in coffee.”

She smiles, ducking her eyes and taking a sip of her own drink. For a moment, I swear I hear her mutter, “Just not communication,” but I can’t be sure if it’s just my nerves or not.

“So, can you tell me a little more about Jade? I saw her with a book. Does she like to read?”

Nodding, I try to push away all the annoying thoughts about the past, the ones that make me read into any situation. Hazel is doing me a favor, and I need to just be grateful and focus.

“She does. It’s her favorite pastime, actually. Most of the summer, she’s spent in the hammock outside reading a book,which is honestly great. I can get a lot done at home when I’m working from here.”

“Aww, that’s adorable. Well, I firmly agree with her that reading is the best. I mean, hell, I’m an author. Ineedpeople to be reading.”

“I saw. How’s the writing career going? The fourth book in that series is due to come out soon, right?”

Hazel furrows her brow, smirking. “That’s some specific knowledge. Been keeping tabs on me, have you?”

I smile, a small laugh escaping me. “Of course. I’m excited to see how Damien handles the next case.”

She freezes, her mouth dropping open. “Youreadthem? Oh my god.”