Page 13

13

MICHAEL

The sound of little girl giggles filled the jet’s cabin. I glanced up from my laptop to take in the picture across from me. Mia and Poppy were snuggled together in one of the seats with a blanket thrown over them.

Mia’s arms circled Poppy as she read to her. The scene flooded me with warmth because my daughter looked so happy. Amber was right. It was like she’d been craving the right female attention all these years, and she’d finally gotten it. She’d never looked so at ease with any of the previous nannies.

My gaze zeroed in on Mia. She was one-hundred percent focused on entertaining Poppy with her ridiculous character voices. Not once did she look my way with suggestive glances or smiles. She hadn’t tried to get alone time with me during the weeks she’d been with us either. The last nanny actually asked me for that, and I’d been flabbergasted. You’d think I had hired her for my entertainment rather than to babysit my kid.

I was convinced that all the nannies before were insane, but it seemed I made a good choice this time… thanks to my assistant. Mia was here for Poppy, and that warmed my heart. I returned my attention to the work I was catching up on. However, their laughter was so infectious that, despite my efforts to stay focused on the spreadsheets and contracts, I found myself listening to their amusing conversations and smiling.

“Mia, your voices are so good,” Poppy gushed. “You make the stories a lot better.”

I snorted my amusement. It wasn’t until it got quiet and two pairs of eyes swung to me that I realized I’d done it out loud. “Poppy is right,” I said as they continued to stare. “Your voices are great. Top-notch acting. Award-winning material.”

Mia chuckled. “Thanks. Finally, something I’m good at. This is a monumental moment for me.”

I heard something in Mia’s voice that made me take another look at her. She sounded a little sad. However, in true Mia fashion, she perked back up quickly. “I bet your dad does great voices when he reads you bedtime stories.”

Poppy cupped her hand to whisper something in Mia’s ears, which made her laugh. I lifted my eyebrows. “You’re sharing secrets with Mia now? I thought I was your bestest friend.”

Mia smirked at me. “Don’t you mean best friend?”

I shook my head. “Bestest is correct.”

“I have a best friend at school,” Poppy explained. “And Daddy is my bestest friend.”

Mia pursed her lips—to hold back her laugh, I suspected. “I see.”

“But it seems I’ve been demoted,” I said. “Mia has taken my spot.”

Poppy eyed me with a look of concern and guilt that almost made me laugh.

“Are you mad, Daddy?” she asked.

Biting back my grin, I replied, “Not at all, my little flower. I suppose you should have a bestest friend who isn’t as old and boring as Mrs. Peters and I are.”

Patches of crimson formed on Poppy’s cheeks. She guiltily looked down at her blanket-covered feet. I guess she still felt bad about being mean to the previous nanny. “You’re not that old.”

I quirked an eyebrow, noting that she didn’t deny I was boring.

Mia pursed her lips as if she was barely holding it together. I gave her a pointed look, and she turned to look out the window.

Poppy’s sheepish look heightened my amusement. “Right… Why don’t you two get back to storytime?”

They exchanged smirks before diving back into the story. I gave them another quick glance and grinned, which neither of them saw. I suppose seeing Poppy so carefree and happy put this known grumpster in a smiling mood…

An hour later, I felt eyes on me and looked up. It had quieted down after Poppy fell asleep, and I brought her into the bedroom. The only sound in the plane’s cabin was Mia tapping her foot on the carpeted floor. When our eyes met, hers darted away. It was the third time she’d done it.

“Mia?”

Her eyes slid back to me.

“Something on your mind?”

She shook her head.

My eyes narrowed to slits as I studied her. I then closed my laptop and put it aside. I gathered what was happening here. She was dying to chat but wasn’t sure if I’d be up for it. I wasn’t, but I could tell she wanted an outlet. Mia seemed to be bursting with energy after sitting quietly for a while.

“Mia, would you like to chat?” I ask dryly.

She beamed. “Well… Sure, Michael. If you insist.”

I shook my head and muttered, “If I insist. Right…” However, I couldn’t hold back the tiny smile that lifted my lips as she practically bounced over. Humoring Mia for a while if she was bored couldn’t be that hard. Besides, I owed her for surpassing my expectations.

Admittedly, a part of me had expected that she’d mess up on the job during the first week and I’d have to let her go again. However, three weeks in and she’d seamlessly become a part of our lives. Yeah, she was still trouble, but she was our trouble now. I’d been standoffish with her since she started working for me, and maybe it was time to be friendlier.

I studied her as she settled in the seat beside me. I found that I didn’t mind a little trouble occasionally… My attention dropped to her mouth as her smile widened. I remembered what her lips felt and tasted like, and it was killing me not to take another taste.

“So, Michael, since you want to talk…”

I blinked out of my lustful haze and subtly leaned away from her. It was ironic how I’d been worried about her not being able to put aside the fact that we slept together, and I was the one having a hard time forgetting. Mia seemed to be just fine when I was around. I, on the other hand, kept getting flashbacks of her naked and wrapped around me.

“Right. We’re here because I’ve been bursting at the seams to chat. It’s hard for you to go an entire…” I glanced at my watch. “Sixty-five minutes without talking, isn’t it?”

Her lips lifted into that mischievous grin that made me want to smile with her.

“What can I say? I came out of the womb yapping. Drives my brother nuts.”

I grunted. “I can believe that.” I studied her for a moment, wanting to ask why she mostly spoke about her brother and not her parents, but then I changed my mind. If I showed interest in her like that, she might get the wrong idea, and I was determined not to lose another nanny.

“Do you make this trip to Minnesota often?” she asked.

“Only about twice a year for my aunt’s birthday and sometimes to spend Christmas with the family.” This weekend, we were on our way to visit my favorite aunt because she’d be disappointed if she didn’t see Poppy and me for her special day. “We’ll be back in LA by Sunday evening if you have plans.”

“I don’t.” Mia surveyed the inside of the cabin. “I’ve never been on a private jet before. It’s crazy that you own one.”

“Well, I spend most of my time traveling. It’s convenient.”

“What is it that you do?”

“You mean, you haven’t Googled me yet?”

“No…” She shrugged. “What would be the point of that? I’m Poppy’s nanny. I’m more interested in learning about her. I’ve gathered that you have a hefty bank account, though.” She smirked. “I’m sitting in your private jet, after all.”

My jaw almost dropped as I turned to look at her. I guess I’d become so accustomed to nannies with crazy agendas that I was shocked whenever Mia showed her complete interest in Poppy. Pushing away my surprise, I answered her question.

“Sometimes people pay me a shit ton of money to make them money. Other times, I invest my own money into a business and…”

“Get back a shit ton of money?” Mia finished.

“Precisely.”

“Interesting. What do you call this field of shit-ton money-making?”

My lips twitched into the beginning of a smile, but I dared not let it come out. I couldn’t have Mia knowing that she made me want to smile and laugh. “I’m in the private equity business.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “Sounds like a drag, but I guess it’s worth it. I mean, you flit around in a private jet and wear fancy suits every day.”

“I do not flit .”

Mia giggled. “Yes, you do. I’ve worked for you for three weeks, and you’ve gone on about five business trips since. Speaking of, when you travel, you don’t have to call every five minutes when I do overnighters at your place. I haven’t burned the apartment down, thrown a rave, or shown Poppy how to bungee jump from your terrace… yet.”

I lifted an eyebrow, and she held up both hands as if I was about to arrest her. “That was a joke, Michael. I swear.”

“I know it was. I’ve come to realize you take nothing seriously.”

“On the contrary, I take looking after Poppy seriously.”

“From what I’ve gathered, that’s the only thing.”

I was taken aback by her crestfallen expression followed by her outburst.

“You know, Michael, I know you’ve been waiting for me to screw up just like everybody else. I take this job seriously. I take proving to you that I’m not an awful person seriously.” She threw her hands up. “My God! Can’t somebody have an ounce of faith in me for once ? Maybe I wouldn't be such a failure if someone did.”

As I gawked at Mia, she stared back. I watched pink fill her cheeks and then spread throughout her entire face.

“Are we still talking about the same thing…?” I asked.

Her teeth sank into her lower lips. “Oh, wow. That was so unprofessional. I’m sorry. You aren’t going to fire me, are you?” She eyed me warily. “I’m not crazy…”

When all I did was raise my eyebrows, she blushed harder and then got up. “I’ll leave you alone now.”

“Mia, wait.”

She turned back, although she was clearly reluctant.

“I’m sorry if I offended you. I didn’t mean to. I’m not going to fire you, by the way.”

“That’s a relief,” she muttered. She had yet to meet my gaze. I wanted to tell her she didn’t have to be embarrassed about her outburst, but maybe mentioning that would make things worse.

I nodded to the seat she vacated. “Please, sit.” She looked so miserable—although I wasn’t exactly sure why—I figured I should thank her for the last few weeks. I felt like I owed it to her.

Her shoulders were practically touching her ears, but she did as I requested.

“I didn’t mean any harm by my comment,” I told her. “I think it’s a good thing you don’t take yourself too seriously. That’s what makes you so good for Poppy and…” For a moment there, I almost lost my head and told her she was good for me too. I supposed she was because watching her interact with my daughter brought me joy. But I had to be careful how I worded things, considering the nanny curse .

“You think so?” she asked. Her shoulders relaxed, and her expression softened.

“Yes. It’s only been a few weeks, but I can already see how much she benefits from having you around. You’re warm and bubbly, and hell, I think you’re the only nanny who’s been able to keep up with her so far.”

That made Mia laugh. “She’s full of energy alright.”

I nodded. “And so are you. It’s a perfect fit. Thank you.”

Her eyebrows cinched. “For what?”

“For being here for Poppy .” I really hoped she didn’t change like the others did. “You don’t have anything to prove to me anymore, Mia. I know you’re not an awful person. You’ve been doing an amazing job so far.” My eyes swept over her face, and I was pleased to see the worry leave her eyes. Being sentimental and soft wasn’t my forte, but I felt like she needed to hear that.