Page 27

27

MIA

I placed a plate of pancakes in front of Poppy and asked, “How do they look?”

She inspected the golden circles that were far from perfect and nodded. “Better.”

“Good. Now, tell me how they taste.”

She took a bite of one, and I watched her with bated breath. The amount of anticipation I felt about a six-year-old’s critique of my pancakes bordered on ridiculous. I was an awful cook, but since taking on the role of a nanny, I figured I had to learn how to put together simple meals. I wanted to make sure Poppy ate healthy at all times. It was amazing how fast I’d developed maternal instincts that I once swore I’d never have.

Poppy’s eyeballs rolled around as she chewed. “Um…” Her face lit up. “They taste like pancakes this time!”

Her comment was a clear indication of how awful the last batch tasted. “Yes! I’m getting better.”

“Uh-huh.” she nodded enthusiastically.

“Up-top, Kiddo.” I lifted my palm, and she slapped hers against it. As she giggled, I ruffled her hair. “Alright, eat up. We have thirty minutes before we hit the road.” She dug in, and I watched her with a smile.

Michael walked in a moment later, straightening his tie. “Good morning, ladies.”

“Morning, Daddy!” Poppy smiled, showing all teeth when she got a kiss on the forehead from him.

My heart fluttered with that feeling of longing that had become frequent lately. This whole domestic setup had me desiring something… more . What if I was more than Poppy’s nanny? What if Michael greeted me with a tender kiss when he walked in because I was more than the employee he’d started sleeping with?

When his gaze landed on me, I shoved away my foolish thoughts. “Morning. I made pancakes from scratch that taste like pancakes,” I said proudly.

Amusement danced in his eyes. “Congratulations.”

“Would you like breakfast?”

He hesitated. “You don’t have to go out of your way for me. I’ll grab something on the way to the office.”

“It’s fine. I made plenty. It won’t be anything like what your housekeeper makes, but it won’t poison you, I promise.” Giving him a sheepish grin, I added, “I tasted one before Poppy did to make sure.”

He chuckled. “Okay. Thanks.”

I happily skipped over to the stove, reveling in my minor accomplishment. My mother would be happy that I’d managed to put something edible together. When I turned around with Michael’s breakfast in hand, I caught him staring at me. My steps faltered, and I got hot all over. It was hard not to blush whenever he looked at me. The things we indulged in after hours were just… blush-worthy. To pretend as if nothing sexual was happening between us in front of others was getting harder.

I handed him his plate, avoiding his gaze. “Coffee?” I asked. “I put on a pot just a few minutes ago.”

“Sure, thanks.”

I saw him give me one last lingering look before joining Poppy at the counter. I was surprised he was still home. Usually, he left for the office much earlier. Then again, he’d probably woken up late because he was worn out after last night just as I was. Nowaday, Michael skipped his early morning workouts. He told me that choosing a treadmill over my hot little body in the mornings would be a crime. That, of course, had made me blush profusely.

As if he knew I was thinking about our late-night and early-morning sexcapades, he glanced at me. My breath hitched in my throat as it always did when those intense greens hit me. I busied myself pouring two cups of coffee. When I handed him his, our fingers touched. The slight contact had me so hot and bothered it was ridiculous.

“Thank you,” he murmured as he gave me one of those hot, dark, hungry looks that made me think he wanted to devour me, and that led to thoughts of how good he was with his mouth. I had to clench my thighs tightly to fight off a wave of arousal.

“You’re welcome,” I muttered as I grabbed my mug. “I’ll head to my room and give you guys time alone.”

I was on my way out when he said, “You don’t have to go.”

“Yeah, Mia, stay with us,” Poppy chirped.

I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned around. How could I deny the little angel anything? Smiling, I made sure to sit as far away from Michael as I could. Of course, I ended up across from him where he could easily look at me.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his eyes like lasers on my face.

“Of course.” I hated that I was so jumpy. It wasn’t as easy for me to play it cool as it was for him. I was always a nervous wreck around him in the presence of others, even his six-year- old, because I was constantly worried that someone would see my obvious feelings for him.

I kept my eyes down as I sipped my coffee. All the while I was painfully aware of Michael watching me.

“These do taste like pancakes,” he hummed, amusement lacing his words.

When I chanced a glance up, we locked eyes. “Thanks…”

My gaze skated away from him again, and my mind wandered. Maybe I should avoid situations like these… domestic moments with Michael and his child that made me feel like we were a family. With my mind in turmoil, it was hard to focus on Poppy who had launched into the topic of her uncle’s upcoming wedding. However, I managed to concentrate because she sounded so excited.

“I’m gonna be the best flower girl ever ,” she declared with enthusiasm. “That’s what Uncle Alex said.”

I laughed. It was adorable that her many godfathers doted on her.

“Olivia said even though she's the one getting married, I’m gonna be the real star because my dress is pretty!”

“I completely believe it, kiddo,” I said. “You were born to be a star.”

“Alex, Olivia, and Mia are going to boost your ego out of proportion, aren’t they, my little flower?” Michael said.

Poppy wrinkled her nose and shrugged. “I don’t know… What’s an ego?”

I snickered when she murmured. “And what’s a proportion ?” My shoulders shook with restrained laughter. When Michael shot me a glance that brimmed with amusement, I couldn’t hold it back. The sound carried around the kitchen and got louder as Poppy gazed at me and her father with bemusement. These moments with them were pure gold. My laughter died down as I thought about not being with the two people who had quickly burrowed their way into my heart. This was just a job… Swallowing a sigh, I gulped down my coffee.

“Never mind what those are,” Michael said. “I think you’ll do great, too.”

“I’m gonna miss Mia,” Poppy said with a pout.

My heart melted. They were leaving for the wedding in two weeks. By then Poppy would be out of school on summer holiday, so Michael wouldn’t have to hurry back. They might stay an extra week in Boston. “I’m going to miss you, too.” I tenderly pinched her cheek. “What am I supposed to do for two whole weeks without my bestest friend?”

Poppy beamed at the sound of her title.

Michael watched us intently as we chatted more about being separated for weeks. “Come with us, Mia,” he announced.

Poppy and I stopped talking to stare at him. Poppy recovered first with a loud gasp. “Yes! Now I don’t have to miss you for two whole weeks.” She gave me that bright smile that turned me to mush every time.

I gawked at Michael for a moment, not sure what to say. “I thought… Isn’t the wedding only for family and friends? I don’t want to impose.”

Michael cleared his throat and rubbed his nape. “It is…”

“Oh, do you mean you want me to tag along to help out with Poppy?” I ask.

He stared at me without comment for so long that the awkward air crept in again. “Well, I…” He glanced at Poppy who was enjoying her breakfast, oblivious to the weird energy between us. “Sure, Poppy will need her nanny.”

I nodded. My silly heart deflated because my silly mind thought Michael was hinting at me maybe being his plus one to the wedding. Sometimes, I wanted to kick myself in the ass for the things I hoped for. Why on earth would he ask me to be his date? We were having a secret, casual affair. As if he’d proudly have his nanny on his arm as his date. My fantasy of us was killed for the umpteenth time. He just wanted to make sure his daughter was secure when he went out to have a good time with his friends or in case he had some impromptu business to deal with while in Boston.

As I worked through my disappointment, I thought, why not go with them? Being across the country for a couple of weeks sounded like a dream considering I had a criminal hounding me in LA. I’d been ignoring the calls from that wretched bookie, but he wasn’t deterred. I hadn’t gone back to my apartment in fear that he was there waiting for me. Maybe if I ignored him long enough, he’d disappear.

“You know what?” I smiled at Michael. “I’d love to join you guys.”

Michael tilted his head as he continued to study me, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly. It was the look he typically gave me when he wanted to say something more, but thought better of it. I frowned too, wondering what he was thinking.

“Great,” he finally replied.