Page 116 of The Plus One Contract

“Shhh.”

I arch a brow.

She peeks toward the door like she’s expecting someone to bust in before she slowly removes her hand.

I rub my jaw. She’s stronger than she looks. “Mind telling me what the hell we’re doing in here?”

She lets out a deep breath, leaning back against a shelf stacked with folded linens. “I’m hiding.”

“From what?”

“The kids.”

I stare at her.

“The kids?”

“Yes, Nathan, the children.” She waves toward the door, whispering, “They won’t leave me alone.”

“Are they playing hide and seek?”

“No,” she hisses. “That would be fun. This is something else. This is a hostage situation.”

I press my lips together, fighting a smirk.

Sienna, terrified of children. This might be the best moment of my entire life.

“I don’t get it. You looked like you were handling it just fine. Do you not like kids?”

Her jaw drops. “I love kids.”

“Could’ve fooled me, considering you just kidnapped me to get away from them.”

She runs a hand through her hair. “I love them, okay? They’re great. So cute. So full of life. So…” She waves a hand. “Tiny.”

I nod, waiting as she lets out a long-suffering sigh. “But also, I love my personal space. And these kids? No boundaries. None. It’s like they took one look at me and decided, ‘Yes. Her. She’s our new leader. We must cling to her like static.’”

I burst out laughing.

She glares at me.

“I’m serious!” she whisper-yells. “Nathan, I tried to escape. I made a run for the bar. And you know what happened?”

I shake my head.

“They followed me. All of them. Like a tiny army.” She looks genuinely distressed. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to feel a dozen tiny hands grabbing your legs at the same time?”

I drag a hand over my mouth, but I can’t stop laughing.

Sienna slaps my arm. “This isn’t funny!”

“Oh, it’s fucking hilarious.”

She tilts her head back against the shelf. “I just needed a minute. One single minute without a sticky handprint on my dress or someone asking if I know all the words toLet It Go.”

“Do you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I do.”

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