Page 127 of The Nanny and the Heartthrob

This might work.

Perhaps her mind was clouded by the copious amounts of sugar and cocoa she’d ingested over the past week, but she wanted this. She wanted to take these two home like she’d rescued a pair of stray cats.

And then she remembered what every kid loved.

She had the power to seal the deal.

“And I almost forgot. I’ve got something for you, Aria.”

“For me?” the girl said, shimmying down from her perch.

She reached into her pocket and removed the piano eraser.

Aria gasped. “It’s a tiny piano.”

“It’s a tiny pianoeraser.”

“Whoa,” the girl breathed.

What was it with cool school supplies?

A wide smile cracked the kid’s stony expression, and she turned to Landon. “We should move in with Harper, Uncle Landy.”

“I’m not sure about that,” the man replied.

“Well, I’m moving in with her. She’s my nanny-aunt, and I pick her.” Aria met her gaze. “Got any more erasers, Harper?”

“No, but I know where to get them.” She remembered the look on the clerk’s face. “You’ll probably have to go in on your own, though.”

Landon paced across the garage. “It’s not that simple, Aria. You can’t make this decision on your own.”

She observed her heartthrob’s tense posture. The guy wasn’t angry—he was afraid.

Why would he be afraid? Did he have something to hide?

Aria lifted her chin. “Then I double-dog dare you to move into Harper’s grandma’s house, too, Uncle Landy.”

Landon stopped. “What did you say?”

“I said I double-dog dare you,” the child repeated.

Whoa.

The universe had been throwing quite a few double-dog dares their way.

Landon flicked his gaze from his niece and caught her eye. “I can’t turn down a double-dog dare.”

“No, you can’t,” she answered, going back to the moment they were double-dog dared the first time.

“I’m gonna tell Lolo and Lala we’re moving to Harper’s house,” the child said with a whoop.

“But remember, Aria, it’s not for forever. It’s temporary,” Landon bit out like it hurt to say the words.

And it hurt to hear them, but she plastered on a grin.

“You understand that, don’t you, Aria?” he pressed.

The hint of a grin pulled at the corners of the kid’s mouth. “Okay, if you say so,” she chimed, then reached up and removed the Scrabble box from its dusty resting place.

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