Page 63 of The Accidental Nanny

“You’re more than that,” I retort.

“Am I?” She bites her bottom lip and she gives me a cheeky smile.

“Don’t mess around with me.” I cage her against the kitchen unit, stealing a long kiss. “Why were you eating pizza again?”

“Because I need more cooking lessons,” she says, stroking my chest softly.

“And cleaning.”

“Alex.”

“Yeah?”

“Ace.” She raises her eyebrow and tilts her head to the left.

Looking over my shoulder, I see Ace staring at us. I release Gemma, who goes to load the dishwasher, while I take Ace's hand and lead him upstairs.

As he climbs into bed, he looks up at me. "You are girlfriend and boyfriend." It isn't a question.

I kiss his head. "It's complicated. Get some sleep. I'm glad your problem is sorted. Remember, you can always come to me with anything."

"I know, Dad," he says. "But this one Gemma had to fix. Girl to girl with the other mums."

"Goodnight, Ace,” I say, wondering if he’s right.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Gemma

It was coming up to the end of the summer holidays.

I had just spent the last few hours walking around town for new school uniform for Ace and Eden; shopping with two young children is not fun. They got bored far too easily. While sat in the car they argue with each other. I needed a break. Alex was so caught up with his work, we hadn’t seen much of him and I hadn’t seen or spoken to Fern in ages, either.

“Hey!” I call at them to stop the bickering.

Neither of them listen. Eden keeps trying to kick Ace, and Ace is throwing popcorn at her. I’m sure that’s two weeks old. Shit, I need to clean the car out more often.

“Will you both stop it,” I shout at them. They freeze, until Eden pokes her tongue out at me, but Ace looks like he’s about to cry.

“Eden.”

I’m hot, tired, hungry, and in need of a coffee.

“Right, I have to go and see someone. Be on your best behaviour, both of you.” Of course, as soon as I said that Eden was her usual self asking too many questions. My answersweren’t good enough. “Let me get a frappe and you will soon see where we are going.”

Pulling onto Fern’s drive, I throw my empty coffee cup on the front passenger seat. I help Eden out of her car seat, Ace has already got himself out.

Picking Eden up, I place her on my hip. Her little finger keeps pressing the buzzer, until a topless Wesley answers, his face bemused at the sight before him. This time, it does nothing for me. I watch as his hand rubs the top of his chest.

“Gemma,” he says, flexing his pecs.

“What’s he doing?” Eden whispers in my ear. She’s trying to be quiet, but it’s clear he can hear her as he stops right away.

“Is Fern here?” I smile at him.

He looks at his watch. “She’s working, but I think she’ll be home soon.”

“We’ll wait in the garden for her.”