Page 151 of The Nanny

“And why would you tell her all about how wonderful I was with Sophie, and how much we deserved happiness?”

“Oh, well, I—”

“Why would someone who wanted to push us aside care about any of that?”

“Aiden, it’s just—”

“Because shelovesyou,” Sophie pipes up.

Both of us look down at her with surprise, her expression nonchalant and, frankly, annoyed. Like she’s over this argument.

Aiden looks back up at me with a hopeful expression, and even this tiny flicker of need in his eyes is enough to make my stomach swoop with anticipation. Neither of us says anything, and I think maybe he is waiting for me to confirm or deny this, but I can’t seem to find my voice. I open my mouth to let it gape as I try to form words, but Sophie, once again, decides to help us out.

“Don’t worry,” she says in that same bored tone. “Dad loves you too.”

I imagine my expression appears as astounded as his when our eyes meet again, and I notice the way his eyes search mine for any sign of a lie. “Is that true?”

“I—” I swallow, my mouth feeling dry. “Yes.”

“You love me?”

I try to look surer than I feel. “Yes, I do.”

He catches me by surprise when he pulls me against him, my shock dissipating in only a moment when his mouth covers mine. There’s desperation in his kiss that melds with relief, and my arms wind around his neck as if by instinct, trying to bring myself as close to him as I can possibly be. My fingers shove through his hair as his hands curve against my spine to pull me tighter, and itisn’t until we hear the clearing of a throat behind us that either of us seems to remember the situation we’re in.

I feel my cheeks warm with a blush when I notice the police officer lingering awkwardly nearby, trying to look anywhere but at us as he gets our attention. “I guess we can call this matter closed then, yeah?”

“Oh.” Aiden looks dazedly between me and his daughter before laughter bubbles out of him. “I guess we can. Sorry, Officer.”

“Well, uh. We’ll get out of your hair.” The policeman throws his finger in a circle, rounding up his fellow officers before he gives Sophie a pointed look. “Next time, maybe tell someone where you’re going, little lady.”

Sophie pales. “Yes, sir.”

“Right.” The officer’s mouth tilts with a smile as we move out of the way of the stairs, and he gives us both a nod. “You folks have a good night.”

I don’t think any of us move until we hear the front door close downstairs, Aiden still looking at me like I might disappear any moment before he gives his attention to his daughter. “You and I have a lot to talk about, Sophie.”

“Yeah.” She hangs her head. “I know.”

He releases me then, bending to press his lips to Sophie’s hair. “But I’m glad you’re okay.”

“I’m sorry,” she says again.

“Why don’t you head up to your room,” he tells her. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

Sophie grimaces. “Are you guys going to kiss again?”

“Yes,” Aiden says. “We are.” He smiles when she sticks out her tongue. “But I think you owe us this one.”

“Fine,”she groans.

She trudges off toward the stairs that lead up to her room, andAiden waits until he hears her bedroom door close before he regards me again.

“You know you shouldn’t have lied to me,” he scolds. “It’s been a shitty few weeks.”

“I know.” I turn my face down. “Me too.”

He reaches to tilt up my chin, his knuckle lingering below it as he forces me to look at him. “I missed you,” he admits. “So fucking much, Cassie.” He scoffs as he shakes his head. “Even your damned Snapple facts.”

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