Page 66 of Balance

Nessa claps and wiggles in her carseat. “They’reawesome,Lily! You’ll love them, I promise.”

Avery sighs from her seat and nods along to the song playing in the background. “They can be harsh, but they give us nice gifts for Christmas.”

I frown and stay facing forward as Morgan pulls onto the interstate.

“I just want them to like me.”

Avery snorts and kicks the back of my seat. “Stop worrying so much. What do you tell me when I’m nervous about a project or doing something new at school, worried about making friends in my after-school classes?”

I smile softly at her over my shoulder and flutter my lashes at her. “That you’re perfect the way you are, and if anyone gives you any trouble, to call me and I’ll kick their butts.”

She nods and smiles, “Exactly. So if grandma and grandpa are mean to you, then I’ll kick their butts!” All three girls cheer and Morgan just shakes his head.

“All right, girls. Calm down. No kicking anyone’s butts unless they hit you first,” he turns up the volume on the radio channel and wraps his hand around my thigh and squeezes. “You’re perfect, Lillian. Don’t worry about what my stuck up, hoity toity, asshole parents will think or say.”

I purse my lips and stay silent for the rest of the drive to the airport. We pull in and follow the signs for their arrival flight and we drive until his mother calls and lets him know where they’re waiting. I breathe in slowly through my nose and let it out of my mouth silently.

He pulls up to the curb in the darkened tunnel and I lick my dry lips. “Should I sit in the back?” I whisper to Morgan before he jumps out of the car.

His brows furrow and he shakes his head, he looks confused. “No. You’re fine where you are,” he exits the SUV and slams the door. I peek out of the tinted windows and find a gorgeous older couple waiting with at least twenty bags behind them on carts. My goodness. It’s just one week.

Avery snorts and shakes her head. “They always bring their entire wardrobes when they come, even if they’re only staying for a weekend.”

I hum and close my eyes and feel like screaming when the back doors open and they get settled. The girls are talking over each other, greeting their grandparents. I wait for them to settle before I turn and try to send them a welcoming smile as Morgan throws all of their bags in the trunk behind their seats.

I glance in between them as they buckle up in the third row. I send them a slight wave, clearing my throat. “Hi… I’m Lillian.”

Morgan’s mother takes one quick sweeping glance of me before she hums and pulls her tablet out of her massive purse, “Yes. I’ve heard about you, Ms. Sarsfield. You’re the nanny and also having inappropriate relations with my son.”

I slowly blink at her before moving my gaze to the three girls who are still talking and laughing with each other right behind me.

“Oh. Okay,” I frown and glance over to Morgan’s father. They barely look older than Morgan. His mother has dark blonde hair that is pulled back into a severe bun, not a wrinkle in sight on her tight features.

She has dark green eyes and purses her lips the longer she can feel my stare. Immaculate makeup and expensive clothes, she’s wearing a damn suit with a long red trench coat and heels.

Morgan’s father has dark brown hair that is gelled back, making his thick dark eyebrows so much more prominent, and his thin lips press together as he stares at his lap. He’s also wearing a suit. How do they look so young? Plastic surgery? Genetics?

He snaps his brown eyes at me and sends me a small smile. “I’m Henry Bale and this is my wife, Patricia. So, you grew up in California?”

I nod and move to turn back around once Morgan finishes up figuring out how to place their bags in the trunk space. “I did. I just moved here about six months ago.”

He hums and nods, pulling out his phone and answers a call. Morgan jumps back in and smirks at me as he maneuvers his way back into traffic. “How’s the business?”

I tune out of their conversation that goes right over my head, even while Mr. Bale talks on the phone at the same time. I’m pretty sure that Morgan mentioned his father is a lawyer, while his mother is an interior designer. They’re freaking millionaires and can tell from one look that I don’t belong with their precious son.

I relax into my seat and close my eyes for the rest of the drive. I have no idea how much I’m worth, Andy is still working oneverything from Betty’s estate and then suing her children for everything they already did, sold, and spent.

Money should even be an issue though. We’re happy, aren’t we?

“Where will we be eating tonight, Morgan? I need to look up the menu,” his mother’s voice drolls from the back.

Morgan glances up into the rear view mirror and winks at her with a wide smile. “Lillian is preparing a meal for us tonight.”

Patricia hums, “It better not be your idea of a feast, Morgan. Last year your wife prepared us raw chicken and frozen peas. With a side of boxed macaroni and cheese. For Christmas.”

I bite down on my lip and close my eyes.Ex-wife,thank you.

Morgan snickers under his breath and shrugs his broad shoulders, not taking anything she says to heart. “Brittany couldn’t cook to save her own life. Ask the girls what they’ve been eating for their meals, of late. Lillian even packs Avery’s lunch every day. She has a degree in nutrition and we’ve never eaten healthier. The board in the kitchen is covered in recipes that she will be preparing for Thanksgiving tomorrow, you’re in for a treat.”

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