Page 58 of My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked 3)

The way Miles and I were facing my parents had a meet-the-boyfriend vibe going on. My first instinct was to step away from him, but I knew that would hurt his feelings, which was the last thing I wanted to do. Day after day, Miles was chipping away my defenses. This morning was the perfect example. He’d made Chloe what he called his game-day protein shake. Then, on the drive in, he went over strategy with her. He had no idea how much that meant to me, especially considering her father was in town and hadn’t bothered to try and make contact again. But I did hear from Emma that he was spotted with Kylie at a local bar in Carrington Cove. I swore, if Chloe and I ran into them together and that was his first contact with her in years, the gloves might come off. I’d done my best over the years not to bad-mouth him in front of her, but in that case, I might not be able to restrain myself. Enough ruminating over my ex, it was time to make awkward introductions.

“Mom and Dad, this is Miles Wickham. Miles these are my parents, Russ and Cindy Parker.”

“I’m Henry.” Henry didn’t want to be left out even though my parents were already well acquainted with him.

We all chuckled at Henry before Miles shook my parents’ hands. “It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

Mom wasted no time and handed him her report before she looped her arm through his. “I read Silent Stones. Beautiful job, but I made some notes you may want to consider for the sequel.”

I wanted to do a face-palm. “Mom.”

“What, honey?” she asked innocently.

“You should really find some seats in the bleachers before all the good spots are taken,” I forcefully recommended.

“Good thinking,” Mom responded. “Miles you can sit next to me and we can discuss your intriguing book.”

“I’d be delighted.” Miles winked at me. “Let me just wish Chloe a good game. Save me a seat, Cindy.”

My mother blushed. My father narrowed his eyes at his wife before taking her hand and pulling her toward the bleachers. “Take your time,” he told Miles.

Miles walked with me and Henry toward the field.

“Are you trying to break up my parents?” I teased.

“As lovely as your mother is, she is a bit old for my taste.”

“I wouldn’t mention that to her. And let me apologize for any critiques she throws your way.”

Miles looked down at the report he had in his hand. Mom had gone as far as making a cover with fancy lettering and his book cover front and center on it. “I look forward to reading her analysis.”

“Sure you do.”

“I’m in earnest.”

Henry saw Chloe and he jumped out of my arms and ran straight for her. All her teammates immediately stopped whatever they were doing and fawned over the little man yelling, “CO-EE! CO-EE! Come slide with me.”

Chloe picked him up and spun him around.

Miles and I both beamed at the scene.

Miles moved closer to me. “Sophie would have adored you and Chloe.”

Yep, that scent of his was still intoxicating the crap out of me. I had to compose myself before I answered. “I wish we had gotten to know her.” The more I worked on the picture of her and Henry, the more I felt connected to her. In an odd way, I felt like she was my champion, beckoning me on with Henry and Miles.

“Me too,” Miles replied.

It was then I noticed Shelby, Ryder, Jenna, Brad, and Elliott all walking toward the bleachers. My mom was already waving them over. I cringed. It wasn’t that they had never come to a game before, but I knew they were coming because I told them Miles would be here.

“Um . . .” I hated switching the conversation’s direction, but he had to be warned. “All my friends just showed up and they’re sitting with my parents. Please let me apologize again for anything ridiculous any of them might say. Especially watch out for Shelby. The Southern Belle believes everyone deserves a Disney fairytale ending, so she might . . . you know, never mind.” I just realized I was implying that I talked to my friends about him, which obviously I did, but he didn’t need to know that.

“She thinks we deserve one.” Miles correctly guessed.

“Yes.” I tugged on my ponytail. “But don’t worry. I’ve told them all that it isn’t going to happen.” I felt like I was digging myself in deeper. This was probably why I was never emotionally intimate with someone. I was a blustering idiot. “I need to go help Emma,” I said, flustered.

“Aspen.” He tugged on the sleeve of my jacket.

I looked up and faced him eye-to-eye, which wasn’t my brightest idea. Between his cologne and the soft expression in his eyes, my heart was zinging all over the place. Why after all these years of rebuffing men did my heart come alive for the one man it should have remained dormant for?

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