Page 55 of The Maxwell Brothers

CHAPTER 16

LEXI

When I came back downstairs,Paisley was still watchingThe Jungle Book, so I went ahead and packed everything for our picnic. Twenty minutes later, I was done. Poking my head in the living room, I realized Beatrice and Paisley hadn’t moved one inch.

“We’re ready to go,” I said.

Predictably, Paisley asked, “Can I stay and watch some more?”

The corners of my mouth tugged up. “You can watch more another day. Let’s go out and enjoy the sun.”

Beatrice nudged Paisley. “Your dad messaged me, asking me to spend the evening here. We’ll watch more tonight.”

“When did Tate message you?” I blurted.

“Now,” she answered, looking at me with a very knowing smile.

Oh sweet Lord. The man moved fast.

I smiled nervously as we all got ready to go out.

The day was perfect for sunbathing and relaxing, but I couldn’t wait to get home for the first time since I became Paisley’s nanny. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy spending my time with her and Beatrice. But I was too excited about the date, andthat feeling multiplied once I received a message in the early afternoon from Tom, the owner of the small deli next to my building, telling me I had a special delivery that I had to pick up from him.

Lexi: What is it?

Tom: I am under strict instructions not to tell you.

I stared at my phone.

Lexi: Who is it from?

Tom: Tate Maxwell. That’s all I’m allowed to tell you.

I laughed at my phone, shaking my head. Tate had bribed him not to tell me what he sent me? Well, well. And I thought I was on good terms with Tom. I had to take my bribing game to another level.

The day rolled by fast—probably because I spent half the time daydreaming about the evening.

“Why don’t you go ahead?” Beatrice asked sweetly at five o’clock when we returned to the house after a day of sun, snacks, and laid-back fun. “Paisley and I are good.”

I couldn’t help but blush. Could she tell what was on my mind? That all I could think about was Tate and what the evening would bring?

Who was I kidding? Of course she could tell. That explained the knowing smile.

“Are you sure?” I asked, not even bothering to pretend that I didn’t want to go home as soon as possible.

“Yes, yes. Paisley and I can entertain each other.”

Oh sweet Lord. By the way Paisley looked at Beatrice, as if she walked on water, I knew she was going to spoil the young girl nonstop. That was fine. That was a great-grandmother’s prerogative. I’d only had a few years with my grandparents—they passed away when I was pretty young—but the one summer I spent at their house was one of my happiest memories.

Once I arrived at my building, I went straight next door to Tom’s deli, impatiently drumming my fingers on his counter.

“Okay. I’m here. I want my present.”

“Girl, whoever this guy is, he’s a keeper.”

“How exactly did this happen?”

“A delivery guy came. He gave me his phone, and I spoke with Tate Maxwell, who made a very convincing case for why I shouldn’t tell you what you got.” Bending at the waist, he disappeared for a few seconds under the counter and then came up with a box of my favorite kind of chocolates—they had cherries inside.