“How was school and football practice today?” he asked my daughter while I served Henry and cut up his chicken into bite size pieces.
Chloe took a sip of her water before answering. “They were both good. You should have seen the save I made. I had to dive and when I caught it, I slid so far across the grass.” She was all grins talking about it.
“I don’t think the grass stains are coming out,” I commented.
“If you don’t come home dirty, you didn’t work hard enough.” Miles beamed proudly at Chloe.
“Mom and Emma worked us hard tonight. We play our toughest opponent on Saturday.”
“I look forward to watching the match,” Miles said. “Did you hand in your rough draft?”
By now, Molly, Oscar, and Penelope were staring at their friend in disbelief and looking between each other as if they weren’t sure what to make of our usual dinnertime talk.
“Not yet. It’s due tomorrow. Could you look it over one more time? Please?”
“I’d be happy to.” Miles dished himself some roasted vegetables. It was then Miles realized his friends were all staring at him in awe. “Is there a problem?” he asked.
Molly’s round face broke out into a large grin and she spat out a very girlish giggle. “Blimey, Miles, you’ve changed.”
Miles cleared his throat before picking up his fork and shoveling his food in.
“That was not a criticism, mate,” Molly added in.
Miles gave her a friendly nod.
“Tell us, how is the book coming along?” Oscar asked.
“Yes, darling.” Penelope rubbed his arm, slow and sensual. “Tell us about your work. I’ve been so worried you would be uninspired working in this dreadful small town.” She threw me a placating look. “No offense. I’m sure it’s lovely, just not what we are all accustomed to.”
Was it too early to say I hated her? “None taken.”
Miles wiped his mouth with a napkin and lowered it slowly while he formulated a response.
Penelope dear, who reminded me of a pixie vixen, kept ahold of his arm. Her violet eyes transfixed on Miles, trying to lure him under her spell.
Miles didn’t fall for it; instead he gazed at me. “I’ve been more inspired here than ever before in my life. I believe I have done some of my best work.”
Penelope’s hand dropped like a lead ball.
A look passed between Molly and Oscar that said isn’t that interesting.
I gave Miles a reassuring smile. “It’s amazing.”
“You let her read it?” Penelope sounded appalled.
“She is my assistant,” Miles stated matter of factly. “And my biggest fan.” He winked at me.
That did not go over well with Penelope, who clucked her tongue but had no words.
Molly flashed her a look that said behave.
Penelope took a deep breath and dished herself some chicken.
I’m not going to lie, she scared me.
“Have you named this book yet?” Oscar asked.
Miles gave me the same proud look he had given my daughter moments earlier. “Actually, Aspen did, but I can’t release it until my editor approves it. But it’s brilliant.”
I thought back to Miles’s reaction when I got home from my day out with Henry on Monday. I swore I thought he was going to kiss me again. To say he loved Ascending Stones was an understatement. He went on and on about how brilliant it was. That it captured the essence of the book. How both Isabella and Dexter were learning how to rise above what occurred at the stone castle, but they were figuratively learning how to scale their emotional walls. Miles had cupped my face in his hands. He peered into my eyes like he had so much he wanted to say to me but couldn’t put it into words. His lips parted and he’d leaned in. Like an idiot, I’d closed my eyes, waiting to taste him again. Instead, I was treated to a peck on the forehead and Miles scampering away.
Penelope gripped her knife. “Well, Aspen, aren’t you just full of surprises. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“I’m not very good at underwater basket weaving or accepting patronizing compliments, but I’ll keep practicing.” I smirked to the sounds of several snorts and sniggers at the table. I probably should have held my tongue, but like I said, I wasn’t going to play her game.
Penelope’s nostrils flared and I swore I could see her mentally counting. Then she petted Miles. I think to remind herself what was at stake. Was Miles willing to be her victim, I meant, lover? Or was he already? I wasn’t getting that vibe. The only time he had touched her was that initial hug when they arrived. Other than that, it was only her hands on him.
“Oh, this is going to be a deliciously fun weekend.” Oscar rubbed his hands together.
I wasn’t sure how much fun it was going to be, but after dinner, Oscar, Molly, and I played a rousing game of Hi Ho! Cherry-O with Henry at the coffee table, while Miles helped Chloe with her paper at the island. Penelope sat on the couch wrapped up in her black cloak, drowning herself in wine, acting as if she were in some third world country. She kept staring at Miles like she’d entered the Twilight Zone. I wondered what she expected to find. And hello, if she thought this house and Carrington Cove were on the edge of civilization, she was crazy.
“So, Aspen, tell us some more about you.” Molly helped Henry count his cherries. “Have you always wanted to be a nanny?”
“No,” I laughed.
“I love Nanny,” Henry informed everyone.
Miles whipped his head my way. He looked both disturbed and delighted that Henry loved me. As quick as he had looked my way, he turned back to help Chloe, who was full of light from the compliments she’d received from Miles. He was proud of his protégé’s work.
“I love you, Henry,” I made sure to tell the little man in my life, really the only man in my life.
He scrunched his face at me and threw some cherries in the air.
“You have other career aspirations then?” Penelope inserted herself into our conversation. More liked pleaded with me to tell her it was so.
“I’m happy where I’m at.” It was true. Taking care of Henry was the best job I’d ever had. I knew it wouldn’t last, which I tried not to think about because it killed me. And honestly, I had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise after my contract was over. Definitely not go back to the bank.
“I could never be a childminder,” Penelope scoffed in her condescending voice.
“She’s much more than a childminder,” Miles defended me.
“Yes, I forgot she’s your assistant,” Penelope said maniacally.
“She’s also a teacher and she tells fantastic bedtime stories.” Miles flashed me a smile.
Penelope drained her glass.
I tucked some hair behind my ear, feeling uncomfortable being the center of attention. “Please tell me about yourselves. Miles said you’ve all been friends for a long time.”
“We could tell you some wild stories about your boss.” Molly wiggled her eyebrows.
“Not in front of the children,” Miles warned.
Molly reached across the coffee table and patted my hand. “Later, darling.”
“I look forward to it.” I found myself wanting to know everything about Miles.
Penelope sat up and discarded her cloak as if it were on fire. “While we are on the subject of better days, is there a pub in town?” she asked me.
“Sure. There are a few bars.”
“Brilliant. Miles, let’s go have a drink and relive some of our glory days.”
Molly and Oscar were shaking their heads again. “Foolish, foolish girl,” Oscar whispered under his breath.
Miles rubbed the back of his neck and blew out a large breath. “Penny, I can’t. It’s almost Henry’s bedtime and I have some work to do. We’ll all go out for a drink tomorrow night, and Saturday night Aspen will take us to her friends’ comedy club.”
What he meant by “all” was the four of them. I told Miles I would keep Henry tomorrow night while Chloe was wi
th my dad at the dance. My parents would keep Henry and Chloe Saturday night so we could go to High On Laughs and see Jenna and Brad perform along with some other top-notch comedians from across the country.
Penelope’s face dropped. I thought she might burst into tears. Part of me felt sorry for her even if she was half evil. More like half in love with Miles. I could see where that could drive you insane. He was intoxicating.
“Well,” she picked up her glass and bottle of wine. “It’s not like I flew halfway across the world to see you. I’m going to retire. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, love,” Miles said, not bothering to argue with her.
She waited for him to stop her and when he didn’t, she dramatically swept up the stairs.
“Don’t mind her,” Molly told me, “she’s a bit off her trolley now. She’s never dealt well with disappointment.”
“Or competition,” Oscar purred.
Chapter Thirty
I felt like I was walking on eggshells Friday morning. Especially when I brought Henry in to Miles for their dance party and found Penelope already there, sitting on his desk in a skintight black body suit. I guess black was her signature color. Like I said before, she wasn’t necessarily gorgeous, but there was something about her that was appealing. She carried herself well and she had that artistic vibe going for her. Even her asymmetrical haircut played into her persona. Her stunning violet eyes didn’t hurt either.
When I walked in, Miles was taking my sketch out of her hand and placing it back on his desk where it belonged. Penelope threw me a snide look.
“Good morning.” I tried to pretend that it was business as usual. I set Henry free and he ran to his uncle.
Miles took Henry up in his arms. “Good morning, mate. Did you sleep well?”
Dang. Miles was even more attractive with Henry in his arms. At least I thought so. Penelope’s slackened mouth said she was horrified.
Henry shouted, “I want to dance!”
Penelope rubbed her finger against her ear. For goodness sakes, he wasn’t that loud. Had she never been around a child?
Penelope reached out and petted Miles’s arm. “Only five more years until you can send him to boarding school.”
I gasped and held onto my chest. Miles wouldn’t do that, would he?
Miles’s eyes hit mine. He swallowed hard several times.
Penelope offered me a smug smile. “Is something wrong? Afraid you’ll be out of a job?”
“Enough, Penny.” Miles stood with Henry in his arms.
I wasn’t worried about job security. I was sick thinking about the little boy I loved so much being all alone at a boarding school.
“Are you ready, love?” he asked me.
Distracted, I pulled out my phone to record his dance.
Miles used his phone to pull up a song by the band Wings called “Silly Love Songs.”
Penelope came and stood next to me. Oh joy.
As soon as Miles turned up the music and before I could hit record, she whispered in my ear, “Don’t think he’ll be content to play house with you forever.”
She stalked off before I could tell her that at least he wanted to play with me. That sounded kind of kinky. Maybe it was a good thing that didn’t come flying out of my mouth.
I watched and recorded Miles’s silly dance. The song repeatedly said “I love you” throughout. I foolishly wished that maybe someday he would point at me and repeat those words. But I was happy he was directing them all at Henry.
When they were done, Henry ran back to me saying, “Let me see. Let me see.” He loved watching himself on the screen. I handed him my phone and caught Miles’s attention across the room. “You’re not thinking of sending him to boarding school, are you?”
Miles gave me a pained look. “That is several years away, and nothing has been settled yet.”
“So you’re thinking about it?”
He released a heavy breath. “Aspen, my life has been turned upside down the past several months. And you won’t be around forever. I have to keep my options open.”
I wasn’t ready to let it go. “But boarding school?”
“They can be quite lovely.”
“Surely not as good as being with you.”
He flexed his fingers several times. “Aspen, you don’t know that. I’m not the man you wish me to be.”
“How do you know what I wish for?”
He lowered his head. “Because I know you, and it’s the same thing I wish for.” He took his seat at the desk. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot to accomplish.”
I stared at him for a moment. Did he truly wish for the same thing as me?
Henry tugged on my hand. “Again.” He handed me the phone.
I picked him up and kissed his head, wishing I could do it every morning until he was at least old enough to drive a car. But from the sounds of it, I wouldn’t be getting my wish. Like Miles said, I wouldn’t be around forever. The thought stabbed me in my heart.
I left Miles to his brooding ways and took Henry to the cottage with me.
Chloe was bubbly this morning. She was feeling good about her report and she was looking forward to the dance tonight. She had her beautiful dress laid out on her bed so she could admire it while she got ready for school.
I loved having both kiddos at the table eating my blueberry pancakes. Chloe was so good with Henry and he was the happiest when he was around her. I didn’t blame him; she was amazing.
After I dropped Chloe off at school I stayed in town as long as I could. Anything to stay away from Penelope, and if I was being honest, Miles too. Unfortunately, it was too nippy to stay at the park for long and Henry wasn’t in the mood for the library again. He begged to go home so he could play with his trains. How could I say no to his cuteness? Seriously, I could kiss his cheeks all day long.
When we arrived back at the house, I was grateful to find only Oscar and Molly sipping tea at the island. Apparently, Penelope was off taking pictures of the landscape. I was surprised she wasn’t in Miles’s office trying to seduce him.
“Can I make you something to eat?” I offered the pair since I had to make Henry’s lunch anyway.
Oscar set down his teacup. “You are a doll, that would be lovely.”
Molly’s eyes followed me wherever I went, from placing Henry in his booster chair and giving him some fruit snacks to tide him over to when I walked over to the refrigerator. “You are certainly different from Miles’s usual type.”
“Quite right you are,” Oscar agreed with her.
I opened the refrigerator and stuck my head in it. Can we say awkward? “Um . . . he’s my boss.”
“He must be a wicked boss. Wicked Mr. Wickham,” Molly said, making them both laugh.
I set down the ham and cheese I retrieved from the refrigerator on the island and tried not to make eye contact with Oscar and Molly, but they weren’t going to let this go.
“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.
My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked Series Book 3) Page 21
