Page 81 of My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked 3)

“Does she remind you of someone?” Oscar asked Molly.

“Oh, yes, now that you mention it. She’s practically the spitting image of the only woman Miles has ever loved,” Molly replied with glee.

That got my attention. My head popped up and was greeted with two mischievous grins.

Oscar ran his finger around the rim of his cup. “It’s like Isabella has come to life.”

“No wonder our mate has transformed into a domestic god. He’s met his match.” Molly dared me to challenge her.

Oh, I would be. “We have a professional relationship.” They didn’t need to know any different.

Their laughter pealed through the house.

“Please, lovey,” Oscar could hardly contain himself, “the sexual tension between you two is delicious.”

“Now we know why he didn’t dash back to London like we all thought he would despite the promise he made to Sophie,” Molly added.

Oscar gave me a good once over. “Looking at you, he may never come home.”

“That’s not true.” I began arranging bread for grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. “Do you mind if we change the subject?” I tried to keep the pain out of my voice, but I didn’t do a very good job. They had no idea how I wished Miles and Henry would stay.

“Oh, dear, we’ve upset you. I’m sorry,” Molly said. “It’s just, you don’t know what a transformation has taken place in Miles. You have had quite the effect on him. Let me say it is a good one.”

I set down the butter knife I was getting ready to use. “What was he like before?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Oscar reached over and stole a piece of sliced cheese. “He was always a good mate, but a bit self-absorbed.”

“A bit?” Molly ripped a corner of cheese off Oscar’s slice and helped herself. “He missed Penny’s first wedding because she got married during one of his polo matches.”

“She was married?”

“Twice,” they said in unison.

“What happened?” I asked.

“Besides her loving nature?” The sarcasm oozed out of Oscar. “She’s never gotten over Miles.”

I gripped the island’s edge. “They dated?”

“Off and on for a couple years a long time ago,” Molly responded. “For Miles’s part, he was up front with her and he let her down gently.”

I turned on the griddle. “Maybe they’ll finally work things out.” My stomach turned at the thought. Not only did I not want Penelope with Miles, I hated to think of her as a parental figure for my sweet Henry. She’d ship him off to boarding school for sure.

They fell onto each other, chuckling.

“Listen to her.” Molly snorted.

Oscar reached his hand out to me. “Lovey.”

I cautiously took his well-manicured hand.

He held my hand between his own. “I don’t know the exact arrangement between you and our mate, but believe me when I say the man is besotted with you. Perhaps even with the new life he is living here in the Wild West. It will be interesting to see how it all works out.”

Things certainly took an interesting turn.

Miles came down to have lunch with us. He kept casting me furtive glances from across the table while his friends regaled me with tales of them closing down pubs, singing for their dinner in poorer days, all the way to holidays in Monte Carlo where Miles was stalked by several cougars in their sixties. While we were all laughing about how Miles had to hire security to save him from senior citizens, Penelope walked in with a camera case slung across her shoulder and a look that said she wished I’d never been born. I was thankful my mom called, giving me the excuse to walk into the kitchen and answer my phone. Granted, Penelope could still see me, but the kitchen was full of weapons in the event I needed to protect myself from her.

“Hello.” I kept my eyes on Penelope, who was rubbing Miles’s shoulders. She was making everyone uncomfortable, even Henry, who threw a fruit snack at her. I loved that kid. It was a good aim too. It landed in her hair, making her squeal. I had to hide my smile.

“Honey, it’s Mom. I have some bad news.” This was never a good conversation starter. My heart started pounding wildly thinking off all the possibilities, from my siblings being in an accident all the way to my mom hating Miles’s book. She was currently reading A Rose for Every Season.

I turned around against my better judgment, praying Miles wouldn’t let his ex-lover hurt me. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s your dad. He’s an idiot.”

Oh. That was a relief. I mean, not that I was happy to hear my father was an idiot, but it was better than a paralyzing injury or heart attack. “What did he do?”

“I’ve told him a dozen times not to eat at the gas station near his office, but does he listen? No. He got an egg salad sandwich of all things there yesterday. He’s been up all night having it come out of both ends, if you get my drift.”

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