Page 26 of A Little Twist

“I only hope you can train someone to do half of what you’ve done here, and I can’t wait for that cake.”

“It’s going to change your life.” She gives me a teasing grin, her blue eyes shining.

“I believe it.”

We’re swaying side to side, and she feels so good in my arms. She smells like warm jasmine, and I want to taste her. I imagine nibbling her lips, teasing her slowly, building the pressure. The last thing I want to do is hire her, but I’ve run out of options.

I need help.

Her brow furrows, almost like she can sense my internal conflict. The song is on its last chorus, and I’m out of time.

“About that job I mentioned earlier, my mom is going to Italy for a month, and I have no one to help me with Penelope. I thought, since you like working with kids, you might consider being her nanny. Just until kindergarten starts in August?”

She blinks faster with every word, and when I finish, her lips part. “You want me to be your daughter’s nanny?”

“For about three weeks—until school starts. Longer if you like doing it, of course. I have a garage apartment where you can stay, and all your meals would be included. If you want them. I’ll pay you, of course.”

Her eyes drift to where Pinky is standing on a chair in front of a baby in a carrier, arranging petals around its head, and her nose wrinkles with a smile. Not gonna lie, her reaction to my daughter is almost as captivating as the way she looked at me in Britt’s apartment.

“Okay.” Her eyes flicker to mine again. “I’ll do it. When do you want me to start?”

“Is Monday too soon?”

The song ends, and an upbeat Bruno Mars tune brings the crowd onto the floor. I’m still holding Cass’s hand, and I lead her off to where we can get a few drinks and finish our talk.

In my mind, I’m debating the ethics of being her employer while also wanting to sleep with her. It's completely unethical, which is why I’ll encourage her to stop when Mom returns. Then when kindergarten starts, Cass will no longer work for me, and I can move to Plan B—getting her naked again.

The thought almost makes me chuckle, but a tall fellow I vaguely recognize steps in front of us, blocking our progress.

“Alex.” He holds out a hand. “Drake Redford. It’s been a long time.”

“Ah, Drake.” I shake his hand, and Cass stiffens at my side. “Good to see you again.”

“I gotta say, you’ve impressed the hell out of me with this place.” He claps me on the shoulder. “I’ve been tracking your success, and it’s damn remarkable.”

“Thank you.”

Cass releases my hand and takes a subtle step behind me, almost as if she’s trying to hide. Drake Redford is more Aiden’s acquaintance. I’ve always thought he was something of a blow-hard, and the way Cass is acting, as if she’s trying to hide from him, makes me like him even less.

I’m about to make an excuse for us to leave when he continues. “What you’ve done here is a masterclass in brand development. You really should write a book. It would be a bestseller.”

“I think I’ll stick to making bourbon for now. Having a superior product is the real secret.”

Sure, I bust my ass to get our single barrel in front of the people who matter, but Pop’s original recipe is the true magic. I won’t let him be left out of the equation.

“And I see you landed this pretty lady.” He tips his head towards Cass, and her fingers tighten on my arm. “I’d be salty about it, but I guess you’re the best man.”

It’s like he launched into speaking Russian. I don’t understand a word he’s saying. “I’m sorry, what? Aiden didn’t actually have a best man…”

He steps forward, putting his arm over my shoulder and looking around like we’re sharing a secret. “Cass told me you’re keeping your engagement on the DL because of the wedding, but let me be the first to congratulate you.”

A little yipping noise comes from behind me, and the skin on the back of my neck tightens. I step out of his embrace, glancing at Cass, whose face is tight. She told Drake Redford we’re engaged?

I mean, naturally, I’m flattered. I like the idea of her thinking of me if she’s in need of a romantic partner. On the other hand,What the fuck?

“I…” Hesitating, I study her pleading eyes and decide to play along for now. “I didn’t realize you two were so close. Honey, you told him?”

“I’m sorry.” Cass’s voice is a little too high, her laugh a little too giggly. “But you know Drake. He just weaseled it out of me. He’s such a rat.”

---