Page 83 of My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked 3)

Once I had her all to myself and got her into her dress, I couldn’t hold the tears back. I stood in awe of her. “You are so beautiful.”

She looked down at her dress and heels then stared at herself in the full-length mirror in my bedroom. “I feel like a princess.”

“You look like one too.” I wrapped my arms around her from behind. “Are you sure you don’t mind that Miles is taking you?”

She didn’t even have to think about it. “I’m sorry grandpa’s sick, but I’m glad Miles can take me. He’s treated me more like a daughter than my own dad.”

“He’s a good guy.”

“Mom,” she looked at me through the mirror, “are you and Miles dating?”

“No,” I answered quickly.

“Oh,” she said, disappointed. She turned and faced me. “How come?”

“Honey, he’s my boss.”

“Yeah, but he’s more than that. He and Henry are like our family now.”

I smoothed her cheek with my hand. “In some ways, yes.”

“I can tell he makes you happy.”

“No one can make you happy.” I kissed her brow.

“That’s not true,” she stated boldly. Miles was right, she was cheeky, and I loved it. “You make me happy and I know I make you happy, so why can’t you admit Miles makes you happy?”

“It’s complicated.”

“No, it’s not. You both like each other.”

“Yes, we do.” I couldn’t lie to her.

“Then do something about it.”

“What should I do about it?” I couldn’t believe I was asking my twelve-year-old for dating advice.

She flashed me her cute, crooked grin. “Tell him how you feel.”

I hugged her. “Honey, it’s never that simple.”

I could feel her rolling her eyes against me. “You’re just scared.”

Yep.

Miles saved us from our conversation by knocking on the cottage door. Oscar opened it and let him and Henry in when Chloe and I walked out. We were swapping kids for the night.

I wasn’t prepared for how good he would look in a suit and tie. I hardly noticed Henry clinging to my legs for staring so hard at his uncle. It was like the black suit was invented especially for him. I literally had to bite the insides of my cheeks before I took Chloe’s advice and told him exactly how I felt, right down to wanting to grab the lapels of his jacket and kiss him like the first time, but forever. The corsage he held in his hand only made him more attractive. He insisted on picking up the one my dad had ordered for her. Chloe was right. He made me happy.

Molly straightened Miles’s red tie for him. “Darling, you look smashing.”

Yes, he did. I wanted to smash myself against him. I couldn’t think like that. I was a mom.

Oscar got out his phone. “We need pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.”

Miles approached me and Chloe. He threw me a wink before he addressed Chloe. “You look very pretty tonight,” he complimented Chloe. He took the cream rose wrist corsage out of its plastic container. “Can I have the honor of placing this on you?”

She held out her left hand. “Yes, but don’t be so formal in front of my friends. You’ll freak them out.”

Miles chuckled while placing the corsage. “Duly noted.”

Chloe admired the roses around her wrist. “Thank you. You really are the best.”

Miles stood a little taller. “Your grandfather did pick it out.”

“Yeah, but you picked it up and you’re taking me last minute.”

“Pictures, pictures,” Oscar called. “Let’s get some of Miles and Chloe and then some of the four of you. You all are too adorable for words.”

I held Henry in my arms while Chloe and Miles got their pictures taken. They were doing goofy “dad and daughter” poses. They stood back to back and made silly faces. It was enough to make me want to fall in love with the man.

“Now the four of you,” Oscar motioned for us all to stand together.

I ran my fingers through my hair. “I think pictures of Chloe and Miles are good enough. I’m a mess.”

“Have you lost the plot?” Molly felt my forehead. “Have you seen anyone as fetching as her?” Molly asked Miles.

Miles looked me over from head to toe in my mom clothes—jeans and a sweatshirt. “I’ve never seen anyone more lovely.”

My cheeks flushed red. Chloe gave me an I-told-you-so look. Molly pushed me toward Miles. Miles put his arm around me while I held Henry, and Chloe took Miles’s other side.

Oscar patted his heart. “I’m getting all verklempt.” He snapped several pictures. “I’m tagging you in all these photos, Miles, my social media pages need a boost.”

“How do you feel about that, Aspen?” Miles asked.

“I’d rather not have Chloe subject to all your adoring fans.”

“Understandable,” Oscar agreed. “In that case, we need one of just you and Miles.”

“No. No. No. I look like a slob compared to him.”

“Nonsense, lovey,” Oscar insisted.

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