Page 28

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MIA

I surveyed the room as I fought the massive case of nerves that kept trying to overwhelm me. When Michael had invited me to tag along to Boston, I assumed I’d stay at the hotel with Poppy while he spent time with his friend. Unfortunately, I found myself in the middle of the mix, feeling completely out of place.

As I looked around the bride and groom’s living room, I felt as if I’d stumbled upon a beautiful rich people’s convention. Without Poppy by my side, I felt as if my presence here was unnecessary. She was amongst family, so she circled the room like a little social butterfly. I held a seat on one of the posh sofas watching everyone chat and laugh.

Michael was on the opposite side of the room with his buddies chatting about the upcoming bachelor party, while the ladies were close by discussing the bachelorette party. There were a few other people scattered around. I’d learned that the two older ladies were the bride and groom’s mothers. Everyone had been cordial, but I wanted to disappear. I’d never been the shy one, but in this room, I felt so beneath everyone’s league that I didn’t dare open my mouth to say a word.

I mean, Olivia, the bride, was a freaking billionaire scientist, and her husband was equally prominent and rich. The maid of honor, Elena, was a popular, smart-as-hell journalist on her way to becoming the next Barbara Walters. The other bridesmaid, Charlotte, had traveled the world and was married to a billionaire CEO, the James Winchester. There was a retired NFL legend in the room— the Lincoln Ford. Plus, from what I’d managed to piece together, the guy named Spencer might very well be royalty, but I wasn’t sure.

Everyone was older, accomplished, and wealthy, and then there was me, the nanny who had no direction in life… according to my father. I snuck a glance at Michael. The thought of him and I together as a serious couple was even more laughable after meeting his friends. I then gave Elena, the maid of honor, a quick envious glance. She’d been flirting with Michael since we got here. Honestly, they seemed more feasible as a couple. I wanted to hate her, but I couldn’t because she was so damn nice and funny.

“Mia, are you coming?”

I blinked and looked up to see the bride smiling at me. “Coming…? Where?”

She laughed. “I knew you didn’t hear a word I said. You looked so far away.”

My face heated up several degrees. “I’m sorry…”

“It’s fine. I was telling the girls that we could discuss the bachelorette party on the terrace. It’s so nice out.”

I gaped at her like a speechless idiot because I was surprised to be involved. It was on the tip of my tongue to refuse because I wasn’t sure if Michael would like the idea of his nanny mingling with his friends’ wives. He’d invited me along to do my job, after all. However, Olivia was so kind, and I didn’t want to be rude. I figured I could join the group of ladies to be polite and simply not show up to the festivities.

“Um… sure, but…” I glanced around for Poppy.

Charlotte appeared beside Olivia. “Don’t worry about Poppy. She’s over there charming the heck out of the mother hens.”

I looked to where she pointed and smiled. Poppy was with Olivia and Alex’s mothers. They were her captive audience as she animatedly chatted to them about whatever. She was a little charmer, that one.

“Plus, the guys will keep an eye on her too,” Olivia said. “Come on. Michael won’t mind if you hang out with the girls for a bit.”

I swallowed and got up, somehow managing to keep a smile on my face. Hanging out with the girls didn’t appeal to me. Not because I didn’t like them, but because I had absolutely nothing in common with them. Surely, they’d figure out fast what a nobody I was. As I trudged toward the terrace behind Olivia and Charlotte, Elena came up beside me.

“Mia, honey…”

My eyebrows shot up at the endearment.

“I need a favor.”

“Er… Depends on what it is…” I eyed her dubiously as we walked side by side.

She laughed. “Don’t look so worried.”

We all stepped out onto the terrace. The summer breeze that hit me carried the faint scent of saltwater from the nearby harbor. It was late afternoon, so the city below was bathed in a soft yellow glow. The view from Alex’s apartment was lovely, but I was too stuck on Elena’s request to take it in.

“So what’s the favor?” I asked.

“You’re Michael’s nanny, right?”

My eyelashes fluttered down as I swallowed and nodded. “Correct.”

“So you have a little insight into his dating life.”

My gaze snapped back to her face. “Uh…”

“Elena,” Olivia warned. “Leave Mia alone. She’s not your personal matchmaker.”

Charlotte shook her head and said, “Don’t mind her, Mia. She’s a little nuts.”

“Actually, I’m a lot nuts,” Elena said good naturedly. “And a lot single.”

Olivia and Charlotte groaned, but there was affection in the sound as if they were used to Elena’s antics and were low-key entertained by them. I glanced at the woman. She really was a sweetheart and a bag of laughs, so I wasn’t offended by her question. I was more worried about her making a move on Michael and him liking it and choosing her because she was his equal.

Elena rested her palms on my shoulders and led me to a chair that surrounded a glass table in the middle of the terrace. “Have a seat, Mia. I’m going to get us a drink.”

She disappeared back inside. The other two ladies joined me. Olivia smiled at me. “Don’t mind Elena, she’s…”

“Fun?” I finished.

Olivia’s smile oozed with affection. “Exactly.”

Elena returned with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. “Mia, let’s have a drink and talk, girlfriend. Those two can't indulge.” She pointed to Olivia, who was still breastfeeding, and Charlotte, who I learned was pregnant. “So we’re the party.”

I chuckled. “Right on… girlfriend.” See? It was so hard not to like her. She was vivacious and entertaining… my kind of people. However, I felt a pang of resentment toward her because of her interest in Michael.

“So…” Elena swooped down into a chair beside me and lifted her glass. I lifted the one she handed me and tapped it against hers. “Is your boss single?”

“Michael won’t appreciate you asking Mia about his dating life,” Charlotte told her.

“Michael doesn't have to know,” Elena replied.

“We’re supposed to be talking about the bachelorette party,” Olivia said.

“And we will,” Elena assured. “After I hear about Michael’s status. Don’t get me wrong, the others are all swoon-worthy for sure. However, two are taken.” She gave Olivia and Charlotte a raised eyebrows stare. “Lincoln hasn’t even given me a second glance, and Spencer… Well, that hot Brit has playboy written all over him, and I’m looking for something serious.”

“Since when?” Olivia asked incredulously.

“Since I hit thirty-three and my bestie is about to get hitched. I see how happy you are in domestic bliss, Livy, and I want that too. Michael looks like a prime candidate for stability. He just looks so steady, you know? The way he is with his daughter is so telling. That man knows how to treat a woman.”

“Yeah, he’s really… nice,” I said and then took a huge gulp of champagne. I wanted to say how incredible he was, but that would probably give away the feelings I was trying to hide.

“You see?” Elena nodded. “Mia would know. He looks like the kind of guy who has his life together, doesn’t get caught up in drama, and can be counted on.” Elena smiled as her gaze drifted over to the glass door where we could see Michael talking to his friends. “Plus, he’s gorgeous . That helps.”

Charlotte and Olivia giggled at that, but I continued to take huge sips of champagne. My stomach twisted slightly at her words. Elena was going to shoot her shot with Michael, and I didn’t stand a chance.

“Well, Mia?”

I glanced at her, trying to hide my misery.

“Is he single?”

Rubbing my nape, I shrugged. If I said no, that would be an outright lie. What we had was nothing serious, and if Michael somehow found out I said he wasn’t single, he’d likely be upset. If I said yes, Elena would make her move and probably be successful, and I’d die of a broken heart. I couldn't give away that he and I were sleeping together, either. What was a girl to do?

“Um… well…” I glanced back at Michael. He deserved to be happy. What if Elena was his Mrs. Right? He certainly didn’t think I was. I couldn’t stand in the way of his happiness. I looked back at Elena with a sad smile. “I don’t pay attention to his personal life like that.” I swallowed. “I’m just his daughter’s nanny, but maybe you should just ask him yourself if he’d be interested in…” I wanted to vomit or maybe tell Elena that she couldn’t have what was mine… but that was just wishful thinking. “Dating you.”

Elena considered and then nodded. “You know what Mia? You’re right. I’m sorry for bothering you. I’m not usually such a coward.”

“It’s not a bother,” I murmured, but I couldn’t even look at her.

“Alright, can we move on now?” Olivia asked.

As Olivia and Elena launched into the topic of what the ladies wanted to do for the bachelorette party, I caught Charlotte studying me. My face got hot because I got the impression that she saw something I wanted no one to see. I was about to inwardly freak out when she gave me a soft smile and joined the others in chatter.