Page 82 of Single Dad's Hot Nanny

I paused. Even when I tried to make out with her, she was concerned about Poppy’s entertainment before bed. A laughescaped me. I’d never have a problem with her making my kid a priority. I appreciated it.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

I gazed at her, probably with blatant adoration. Why hide it at this point? “You really love Poppy, don’t you?” Sometimes, it still amazed me that the perfect woman for both my daughter and me had just walked into our lives.

Mia eyed me as if I had asked her an absurd question.

“Of course you do,” I murmured. “I did, but she seemed disappointed with my acting skills. Nobody will ever top you with story time in that kid’s eyes.”

I felt her stiffen in my arms. She then eased off my lap to perch beside me on the sofa.

“Michael, if I ever had to leave, do you think Poppy would hate me? Would you?”

Her question hit me like a punch in the gut. My entire body tensed, but I forced my muscles to relax. “Why would you even ask that?” My voice rang with confusion and mounting worry.

Her gaze dropped to the floor.

“Mia, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just… Things happen and…” She huffed out a breath.

A knot tightened in my stomach. I’d never been the anxious type, but there was too much at stake when it came to Mia. Was my fear of her walking away from Poppy because ofmeabout to become a reality? Had I done something wrong in the mere months we’d been together?

Taking a deep, steadying breath, I asked, “Mia, are we okay? I meanyouandme.”

Her eyes flickered up to meet mine. “Of course. Things between us have been great…perfect.”

That was comforting, but her question still had me puzzled.

Days later, it still ate away at me to the point where I couldn’t focus on work…

“... Mr. Hayes, did you have any thoughts on that?”

I blinked and returned to the present. The room was silent, and all eyes were on me.Fuck. I had no idea what I was supposed to have a thought on. I glanced at the screen, hoping to come up with something fast.

“You know what, Steve?” Amber jumped in. “I think Mr. Hayes needs to review the data more closely before making a final decision.” She tapped her chin and nodded. “Yes. Send him the full report by the end of the day.”

There were murmurs of agreement, and the meeting moved on. My gaze shifted to Amber. I lifted an eyebrow and gave her a look which I hoped saidthank you. You deserve a raise.

She gave me a look that asked,what the fuck is wrong with you?

I shrugged and leaned back in my chair. The woman who held my heart consumed my thoughts, too.

After the meeting when Amber and I returned to our private domain, she stuck her head into my office. “Hey, boss.”

“Come in, Amber.”

Smiling, she stepped inside and closed the door. “So… What the hell happened to you out there?”

I snorted my amusement because I knew she’d been dying to dig into what happened in the boardroom. “I didn’t get to thank you for the save… thanks.”

“That’s the thing…” She sat on the chair beside my desk. “Since when do you need saving? You’re always on your game.”

“I was just a little distracted this morning.”

“You don’t get distracted.”

“I’m human, Amber.”

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