Page 18 of Forbidden Hearts
Phoebe starts to grab her stuff, and I laugh. “I’m kidding. Yes, this is where the nanny was going to stay.”
“And the bed?”
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “It’s clean, and it’sbeenclean for . . . a while.” Far too long if I’m lusting after my boss’s daughter.
She throws the clothes onto the bed and grumbles. “You’re infuriating.”
“Again, I’m your boss.”
Keep reminding yourself of that, Asher.
“Right now, I’m off the clock.”
“Fine, then I’m not your boss right now, but I will be in a few hours.”
She sits on the edge of the mattress and crosses her long legs. “Okay, so you’re just Asher now?”
I nod.
Phoebe’s eyes light up, and she clasps her hands in front of her chest. “Oh, good. Dude, I have to tell you about what happened today. So, I’m working for this grumpy old guy, and of course the most embarrassing thing happened to me right in front of him, and helaughed. Isn’t he such an ass?”
Speaking of ass . . . nope. Stop it.
I need to get out of here.
Walking out, I toss my words back to her. “I’ll be gone before you wake up tomorrow. Remember to pick up my daughter this time, okay?”
Phoebe practically growls. “I didn’t forget her. I was at the wrong door—you know what, you’re right. I’ll do better next time,boss.”
I smirk. “See that you do.”
I kick my door shut, flop onto my bed, and make a plan to find a new nanny so I can limit my time around Phoebe Bettencourt and not imagine her completely naked.
* * *
“He’s notthathot,” I hear Phoebe whispering from inside the kitchen.
I’d hoped to avoid her before I went in for my shift. I’d gotten up early, went for my run, showered, and came to grab my coffee and go. That was the plan, but apparently, the Lord is testing me.
“No, seriously, he’s not. I mean, I grew up looking at guys in uniform, so I don’t have that same affliction you seem to.” She laughs. “Out of uniform? Oh, I’m sure he’s . . . nope. Not going there.”
I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but I also can’t seem to force myself to move. I’m what?
“We’re not talking about how my hot boss saw my boobs, Emmeline.” A pause. “I’m done with older men—well, that’s a lie, I’m done withallmen. My plan today is to take Olivia to school and then work on my transfer applications. I decided on three schools to apply to, and hopefully, I don’t lose all my credits.”
Transfer? She’s in her first year of grad school, why the hell is she planning on transferring?
Better question is, why do I give a shit?
I don’t. All I care about is her ability to take care of Olivia until the nanny service sends a new nanny.
Just as I’m about to go back to the stairs, bang around so I don’t seem like a creeper, my cell phone rings, announcing my location. I close my eyes for a second and then look at the phone.
My play is to act like I was walking into the kitchen and didn’t hear a thing.
“Hello, Sara,” I say as I push the door open.
“Hello, Asher. How is our daughter?”
