Page 23 of Crossed Up

Her eyes widen in confusion and I almost lose my train of thought when I see the way they sparkle in the golden light of sunrise. The green lightens to that perfect sage color I love so much, and what looks like brown freckles dot her irises.

“But…” she pauses, brows furrowing. “If Crew is staying here, why would you need me to go with you to New York?”

I keep my expression open and don’t say anything for a minute, waiting. I see it the second the wheels start to turn in her head, and she exhales softly.

“Oh.”

She doesn’t say anything else, and I school my expression, keeping the disappointment off my face at the sharp sting of her rejection. Removing my hand from where it still rests on hers, I try to fix the mess I just made. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t set out to make you uncomfortable, and maybe I’m just seeing things that aren’t there, but I thought…” I sigh, rubbing my hands down my face, hard-earned calluses catching on the thick layer of blond stubble that currently covers my cheeks and jaw.

Her frown is like a punch in the gut, stealing any semblance of hope and making me nauseous.

God fucking dammit. You’re her boss, Aidan. She’s been here a month and has given no clear indication she’s even slightly romantically interested in you. Just because you’re pathetically lonely and desperate for attention doesn’t mean your son’s nanny is interested in anything more than friendship.

I’m pretty sure I just ruined one of the best things my son and I have ever had.

Lyla

My heart is beating so fast I feel like I might pass out right here on this swinging outdoor bed. Did Aidan just ask me out? My boss, Aidan? Crazy handsome, single dad, Aidan? I don’t know if I’m more excited or terrified.

I feel like I need to get some clarity here before I make a fool out of myself. “I’m sorry,” I shake my head and tentatively lay my hand over his, still feeling cold from the loss of his comforting touch. “Are you?—”

“Askin’ you out in the most indirect, and likely inappropriate, way possible?” he interrupts with a nod. “Yeah. In my defense, I haven’t done this in six years.” A blush lights the tops of his cheekbones, and it’s so endearing that a shy grin makes its way onto my face.

That small physical response eases some of my terror. Aidan’s eyes flash with excitement when he spots my smile, and he flips his huge hand over to twine our fingers together.

“Listen, Lyla. I want you to know that telling me no will in no way impact your place here with Crew if you want to stay on as his nanny. And if I crossed a line and you’re uncomfortable and want to quit, I’ll help you find a new gig and give you the best-damned recommendation I can possibly write.”

He pauses, letting me see the emotions playing across his face. “But you’re so wonderful with Crew, and you’re kind, compassionate, and a great listener. Becoming friends with you the last few weeks has been the most fun I’ve had in a long, long time, and I really like you. So, if you’re open to it, I would like nothing more than to take you on a date. No kid, no responsibilities, no pressure. Just you and me and one weekend to see if this could be something more than friendship.”

Thoughts of Sebastian and the overwhelming charm he showed me at the beginning of our relationship play on a loop in the back of my mind, but am I really going to keep letting his actions control my life?

I’m still in therapy, doing the work to continue to heal from his words and the lasting trauma he so generously gave me. Aidan has proven time and time again that even though they may look similar, he’s the exact opposite of my ex in every way that matters.

“Can I take some time to think about it?”

His grin softens. “You considering it at all is probably more than I deserve.”

10

LYLA

“Lyly!” Crew’s shout has me sitting up so fast I nearly fall out of bed, barely managing to catch myself at the last second. I blink in confusion against the brightness of the beautifully decorated bedroom I’ve lived in for the last month.

What time is it?

Glancing at the clock on the white nightstand, my eyes fly open in shock when I see it’s after nine a.m. already. Pounding knocks on my bedroom door send panic racing through me, and I don’t even think, jumping out of bed and ripping open the door to see Crew and Aidan with matching smiles.

“Happy birthday!” they shout in unison.

Aidan holds up a tray of chocolate chip pancakes with what looks like cherry compote on top, a wide grin marring his handsome face and forming little wrinkles in the corners of his light eyes. My mouth waters, but I’m not sure if it’s from the food or him.

My boss towers over me, clad in light wash jeans, a faded black Raptors muscle tee with obscenely cut armholes that offer flashes of his bulging arms and chest, and bare feet. His messy hair is just on the verge of too long, but it’s a good look on him.

Now listen, bare feet usually freak me the hell out. I don’t like looking at them, touching them, or even thinking about them. But Aidan’s bare feet? There’s something so intimate about seeing this larger-than-life man’s masculine toes resting on the heated wood floors. For some reason I’d rather not explore right now, I don’t mind them all that much.

He must see the look on my face because a deep chuckle rumbles through his broad frame. “I figured combining both of your favorite foods would make for a pretty daggum good birthday breakfast.”

My mouth flops open like a fish, my eyes darting between the two handsome guys standing in front of me. “I had an alarm set to make birthday hotcakes for Crew…” For some reason, none of this is making sense to my sleep-fogged brain, but I know for a fact I set an alarm for six.

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