Page 13 of Six of Hearts
I'd been enjoying her company so much I'd almost forgotten this was supposed to be a business meeting.
"Oh, no. I think I got everything I need. Benefit information will come in next week and then you can opt in or out. Whatever you decide, any added benefits will be covered by us outside of your monthly salary.”
Aria nodded. "I understand. Thank you."
I stood and walked around my desk to open the door for her. She gathered her purse and approached, and when she turned to look at me, I noticed a strand of hair had come loose from her ponytail.
Without thinking, I reached out and tucked it behind her ear, my fingers barely grazing her cheek.
"Have a wonderful rest of your day," I said quietly.
Aria's face flushed pink. "Th-thank you. You too."
I smiled at her reaction, then stepped back to give her space. She slipped past me into the hallway, and I watched her walk away, already looking forward to the next time I'd see her.
Back at my desk, I looked at her completed file and allowed myself a moment of hope. Maybe this arrangement would work. Maybe she really was the missing piece we'd been looking for.
And maybe, when the time was right, there could be something more.
But for now, I'd respect what we'd agreed to. I'd be patient. I'd let her settle in with the kids, let her get comfortable with all of us.
Even if every instinct I had was telling me she was worth the wait.
Six
Liam
A Week and a Half Later
It had been a long time since I was getting home while it was still light outside. The seasons were changing and it was getting darker earlier already, but I traditionally worked until late into the night. The D.A.'s office was calming down and matters weren't as pressing, so it seemed I was going to have a little more time to spend with Mila and continuing to get to know Aria.
I needed to know how much Mila sang her praises. Move over Santa Claus, move over Tooth Fairy—a nanny was here, and according to my princess, she was the best thing since sliced bread.
I couldn't deny that Aria seemed like the complete package. She was good-looking, smart, funny, and seemed to care a lot for the kids. More than that, she had a warmth about her that made the house feel different when she was in it. Less like a place I crashed between court appearances and more like an actual home.
I'd noticed it in small ways—the way she remembered which of Mila's stuffed animals needed to be tucked in just so, how she'd started keeping Mila's favourite hair ties in her bag, the patient way she answered the same question five times without a hint of irritation.
It was the kind of attentiveness that couldn't be faked, and it made something in my chest tighten every time I witnessed it.
After a quick shower, I changed into comfortable sweatpants and a tank top and made myself comfortable in the livingroom. I got the most recent kids' movie queued up, made Mila's favourite spaghetti, and was just waiting for Aria to drop her off. She had ballet that evening as opposed to the weekend because she had a recital coming up.
I was just finishing getting ready when I heard the front door open.
Typically, I was just walking in at the same time Mila was getting home, so when Aria rounded the corner and saw me totally dressed down, her eyes widened for a moment. It was nice getting that sort of reaction from her—a reminder that whatever this pull was between us, it wasn't one-sided.
"Hi," Aria greeted.
"Hello," I replied. I looked down at Mila and laughed. She was standing, but she was barely awake. "Hi, princess."
She still had her hand gripped tightly around Aria's. "Hi, Daddy," she murmured. She rubbed her eyes and let out a huge yawn.
I looked up at Aria. "Someone's probably not going to make it through the movie and spaghetti I made.”
Aria giggled. "No, probably not. Recital season is tough, little Mila is learning." She reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope and handed it over to me.
"They took pro pictures today, though, and I know I may be slanted in my opinion, but Mila's are definitely the cutest."
I took the envelope, loving her adoration for my little girl.
