Page 78 of Single Dad's Hot Nanny

Strangely, I wasn’t tired. This new chapter between us had me brimming with a kind of anticipation I hadn’t felt in a long time. I was in a relationship—a serious, romantic one. I still felt a sliver of surprise when I thought about it, but in a good way. If I could lower my emotional barriers and leave myself open like this, maybe I wasn’t as flawed as I’d always thought. It was something I’d kept to myself, but a part of me alway feared that I was incapable of love—the romantic kind of love, specifically.

Mia’s fingers paused and she shifted to look up at me. “You look so lost in thought. What are you thinking?”

I’d opened up to her plenty, but I was a little embarrassed to admit what I was really thinking. “The summer,” I said, to change my own train of thought.

Her eyebrows elevated. “What about it?”

“I have a lot of traveling to do for business. I’ll be away for a while.”

“So it will be just Poppy and me for a while?”

“Actually, for the past few years, she spends the beginning of the summer with Aunt Neddy and my parents.” Which was why I started arranging the majority of my travel for that time of year.

Disappointment flickered in Mia’s eyes, but it disappeared fast. “I’ll miss the two of you.”

I gazed down at her, considering the wistful note in her voice. We just established that we’d give the idea of us together a real chance, only for us to be apart for weeks. It reminded me of one of the reasons for staying away from relationships. I didn't want to ruin this between us before it properly started because of work.

“Come with me,” I said.

Mia blinked. “You mean…?”

“I’ll have business to take care of but not every day. We could have some fun…” The word fun sounded strange coming from my lips. It wasn’t something I used to think about.

Mia’s face lit up. “Michael, are you asking me to jet-set around the world with you?”

“Yes. Only if you want to. It’s okay if you have other plans.”

“I don’t. I’d love to go with you. Spending time together sounds wonderful.”

She smiled at me and I returned it. In my mind, I was already working out how to balance work and give her a romantic getaway.

I glanced at Mia as we walked into the bar. That familiar sense of comfort that always came with this place washed over me. It was filled with memories of fun times with my college buddies, who turned out to be lifelong friends.

I surveyed the place just as she did. The guys and I always came here whenever we met up in Boston, but tonight was different. This time it wouldn’t be just us guys because our circle had gotten a little bigger.

My attention shifted back to Mia. She was nervous—I could feel it in the way her hand gripped mine and her eyes darted around the room. This was the first time we were making our relationship public.

When I spotted the gang at a table at the back, I said, “Come on. Everyone is already here.”

I could practically feel the reluctance in her steps, and I squeezed her hand gently. “Relax. I’ve got you.”

She blew out a breath, smiled, and nodded. I pulled her closer and rested my hand possessively on her lower back as we approached the table where Jamie, Charlotte, Spencer and Lincoln sat. When we reached the table, all eyes flicked between me and Mia with curiosity.

Jamie broke the silence. “Hey, Mike. Mia, great to see you again.”

“Hi, Mia!” Charlotte beamed. Her shit-eating grin said she approved of my plus-one.

Lincoln wore a look similar to Charlotte’s. Of course, he knew all along that Mia and I were sleeping together.

I ignored his knowing smirk and pulled out a chair for Mia.

“Hi, guys,” she said as she sat. I could hear the anxiety ringing in her voice.

Spencer, who sat across the table, said, “It's good to see you, Mia. You look lovely.”

The sharp look I gave him could have cut glass, and he grinned in response. I’d apologized for my behavior at the reception, and we’d talked things out, so we were good.

“Mia,” Lincoln smiled at her. “How have you enjoyed your trip to Boston?”

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