Page 67 of Single Dad's Hot Nanny

“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,andMia 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 aproportion?” 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 hadquickly 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 mybestestfriend?”

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 memaybebeing 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 proudlyhave 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.

28

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,theJames Winchester. There was a retired NFL legend in the room—theLincoln 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.”

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