Page 21 of My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked 3)

I glanced at Chloe to find her eagerly peering out the window with her hand over her mouth, amazed by the grandeur. “Can I invite Brooke over here?”

“Of course. But you know we won’t be living in the main house.”

“Who cares. I bet the guesthouse is awesome too.”

We were about to find out. We pulled up in front of the four-car garage that was attached to the house by a covered walkway. The contemporary rustic home loomed large, but not as big as the decisions I had made in the last couple of days.

I wrapped my arm around Chloe as we made our way to the front door. I admired how the landscape around the house stayed true to the Rocky Mountain scenery. Wild roses and boulder raspberry shrubs dotted the landscape among the junipers and Rocky Mountain maples. However, my favorite were the aspen trees my parents fondly named me after. They said when I was born, my hair shined golden like the leaves of the aspen in the fall. My hair had darkened over the years, but I loved that story.

I gave Chloe one good squeeze before I rang the doorbell. It wasn’t too long before I heard the pitter patter of little feet and Henry’s adorable voice yelling, “Nanny is here!”

Chloe grinned at me.

Miles opened the door and my stomach swooped. He looked too handsome in a form-fitting gray turtleneck and those jeans my mom had commented about. I barely caught his smile before I turned my focus on Henry. He was the safe option. No swooping, only some heart pricks where the little guy was stealing it piece by piece.

Henry ran to me and I bent down and picked him up.

Chloe was immediately drawn to him too. “He’s so cute.” She took his chubby hand.

“I am cute,” Henry was quick to agree, making Chloe and I giggle.

“I’m cute too.” Miles didn’t want to be left out.

My eyes lifted to find his already peering at me. I reminded myself and my swooping stomach this was strictly business and to play it cool. “Hello,” I greeted him.

“Hello, lo— I mean, Aspen,” he stuttered. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who needed a reminder. “Please come in. It’s a bit nippy today.”

Chloe and I entered the grand home, but before I could admire the gorgeous place, I made introductions. “Miles, this is my daughter, Chloe. And, Chloe, this is Henry.” I bounced him on my hip.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Chloe.” Miles gave her a warm welcome.

Chloe seemed intimidated by him and tucked some hair behind her ear. It was then I remembered she thought he was hot. Which he was. She, like always, recovered quickly and found her footing. I adored that aspect of her, along with so many other things that made her wonderful. “It’s nice to meet you too,” Chloe politely responded before turning right back to Henry, who was happy to garner all the attention.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” Miles offered.

Chloe and I both declined.

Miles bounced on the balls of his bare feet as if he was trying to get rid of some nervous energy. “Well, shall we take a tour before we go over the contract?” he asked me. “My barrister made the changes you requested.”

He sent me a copy yesterday and I was taken aback by the clauses about travel. I supposed I should have expected that he would want me to travel with him at times with Henry, but this was a different world for me. I requested that if I needed to travel with him, it be no longer than three days. I didn’t want to be away from Chloe for even that long, but it seemed reasonable. Miles offered if it needed to be longer, he would only ask me to accompany him if it was during Chloe’s school breaks and he would arrange for her to join us as well. I thought it was a sweet gesture. I also requested that the initial contract be for a year. Miles agreed that would be good for both of us. I knew this meant he could easily terminate me after a year, but my plan was to save as much money as possible and do a good job so that he would be willing to at least give me a good reference. So, in the event we parted ways, I would still be better off than I was now.

“I’d love a tour.” I glanced around the magnificent home. Stone walls dramatically showcased the height of the room. The white oak floors and neutral palette of the furniture and walls added warmth. The simplicity of it all made it stunning. It was easy to see why Sophie was such a sought-after interior designer. She had left her mark and it was beautiful.

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