Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Swallowing hard, I shook my head. “Nothing. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I’m not perfect. Far from it. I need time to let this all settle in, and I’m so sorry for this morning. I’m not trying to make you feel sorry for me, I swear, but I am very, very sorry for upsetting you.”
When she offered a small smile, I had to look away. Why does her smile make my damn chest squeeze?
“I understand the emotion behind this morning. But I have to be honest with you, Aiden.”
“Of course.”
“I won’t let anyone yell, or…”
Her words trailed off—and a strong part of me knew she’d been about to add “hit me.”
“I don’t want a reason to leave.”
“And I promise I won’t give you one.”
A resolved look played across her face. “Let’s forget this morning and move on,” she stated.
“That sounds good.”
Emma stood. “Before I leave, there was something I needed to talk to you about. Tammy had mentioned me volunteering at the school. I didn’t want to do anything without speaking to you. I’m just the nanny, so it might seem strange to others if I were helping at the school.”
“Um…well…I think it is something that Hadley would like…you know, if you helped out with parties and such at the school. In fact, she’d love that. With my job, I could get pulled away and miss something, so it would be nice to know you can be there for her.”
The corner of her lip twitched with a hidden smile.
With a grin, I asked, “Do you want to volunteer at the school, Emma?”
“Yes.”
The word was out of her mouth before I think even she realized it.
“I mean, it would give me something else to do during the day. I was thinking of also asking your parents if they might need any help. Volunteering my time, of course.”
Laughing, I rolled my eyes. “You might want to really think about that. My mother will put you on every community and church committee known to man if she thinks she can.”
“Well, she did already invite me to her ladies church group.”
I groaned. “I forgot to warn you about that.”
Emma grinned and looked around before focusing back on me. “It’s fine. She was just wanting me to feel welcome. So…umm, we’re good, Aiden?”
I followed her lead. “Yeah, we’re good.”
“No more worrying about me trying to be a mom, and no more of me freaking out on you.”
With my voice soft, I replied, “You didn’t freak out, Emma.”
Every part of me wanted to ask her about her ex, but I stopped myself. I made a note to go and talk to Rose. She might have a bit more information.
When I reached a hand out to Emma, she took it, and I tried like hell to ignore the zap of energy that raced from her body to mine. Clearly, she didn’t feel it, because she didn’t falter one bit.
“I’ll see you later tonight,” I said.
“See you later, Aiden.”
She turned and headed out of my office. Before shutting the door all the way, our eyes met once more, and we both smiled before Emma pulled the door shut and it made a soft click.
And it was only then that I could finally breathe.
CHAPTER TEN
EMMA - VOLUNTEER WORK
“Emma, what a surprise seeing you here,” Nancy said with a smirk on her face.
It had been two weeks since I’d run into Nancy at the grocery store, and I wasn’t the least bit happy to see her again. The coast was clear all morning, but now she stood in front of me with a large basket in her hands.
“Hello, Nancy. Tammy asked me if I would help with the fall carnival.”
With narrowed eyes that looked almost black, Nancy gave me a once-over and sighed. “You don’t think it’s sort of sad that you’re still playing this part?”
“What part is that?” I asked, forcing myself not to react.
Snarling her lip, she leaned in closer and hissed, “You’re not his type.”
“Emma! Emma, over here, I need your help!” someone called out.
I ignored Nancy’s words and forced a smile. “See you around, Nancy.” Quickly, I made my way over to the area where I’d heard my name being called.
Tammy and another woman—Kasey, I thought her name was—were attempting to hang a banner.
“Is it straight?” Tammy called out.
“A little up on…um… Is your name Kasey?” I asked.
“That’s me!” the woman said with a smile.
“Just a tad more up on your side, Kasey.” She lifted the banner, and I held out my hands. “That’s it. Perfect.”
Suddenly, my body was racked with a shiver, and I wrapped my arms around myself to ward off a tingling sensation racing up and down my spine.
“Texas girl can’t take the cold, huh?”
Spinning around at the familiar voice, I sucked in a breath when I saw Aiden standing behind me. Had I picked up his presence before even seeing him? Impossible.