She gives me a toothy grin as she nods over and over. I mirror her so we look like a pair of nodding dogs, which makes her giggle.
Sullivan’s eyes dart to us, and I freeze, expecting him to shush us while he’s on his call. But instead, his eyes soften, and he ruffles Molly’s curls.
“It’s my daughter,” he says into his phone. “She’s in the car with me and her nanny.”
I school my reaction, concealing my surprise at him referring to me as ‘Molly’s nanny’, when less than a week ago he explicitly told me I was his ‘employee’ and nothing more.
A deep rumble vibrates his throat, making his Adam’s apple move, and I snap my eyes away before I gawk at him after witnessing the closest thing to a laugh I’ve ever heard from him.
“Is this a new baby?” I ask Molly, admiring the dolly she’s holding that’s wearing a dinosaur onesie that matches her own.
She nods seriously, staring into the dolly’s big, wide eyes. “Baby,” she says.
“Baby has great style, like you,” I say, bopping her on the nose, which earns me a big grin.
Sullivan’s gaze darts to me as he continues his conversation, and I force myself not to squirm in my seat when he frowns at my outfit again. He ends his call, pocketing his phone.
“Didn’t have you down as a fan of Linkin Park,” he says, leaning his elbow on the window and running a fingertip over his lips as he looks out at the city.
I tug at the hem. “I’m not really. It was my boyfriend’s.”
“Was?”
“We broke up,” I say, rolling my shoulders to avoid them seizing up like they do when I think about my ex.
He clears his throat. “Sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be.” I scoff. “He was a loser.”
I clamp my lips together, but it’s too late. My little outburst has caused piercing blue eyes to flick my way. I swallow under his scrutiny before he turns his attention to Cliff as the car pulls over.
“We won’t be long, Cliff. Circle the block if you need to.”
A moment later, my door is opened by Cliff. I climb out and watch Sullivan step out and stride toward me, fastening his suit jacket with effortless grace. He stops just inches away, towering over me. My heart skips a beat. His aftershave hits me, clean and sharp, and I can’t help but breathe him in.
“Excuse me,” he barks, snapping me out of my momentary step into a world of rich spicy aroma.
I step out of his way, and he leans into the backseat, unclipping Molly’s car seat buckle and lifting her out.
“This can’t take long. I have another call scheduled for when we get home.”
I rush to keep pace with him as we walk into the grocery store.
“Joan’s sick. I need to pick Molly something up for dinner,” he says.
“Oh, okay,” I say, reaching for a trolley with a child seat. Sullivan’s lip curls in disgust and he jerks his head like he’s horrified. I should have known. He’s far too uptight to use a trolley. He probably thinks Molly will contract a disease.
I pick up a basket instead and Sullivan reaches to take it from me at the same time his phone rings.
“What now?” he mutters, balancing Molly in one arm as he brings the phone to his ear.
“Jesus Christ, they did what?” He sighs, sounding weary at whatever the person on the other end says.
I put the basket down by my feet and hold my hands out, gesturing to Molly. Sullivan frowns at me, his jaw tightening. But whatever the call is about, it must be important, because he hands Molly over to me, then pinches the bridge of his nose.
Molly’s light as a feather in my arms, and I give her a little squeeze and maneuver her onto one hip as I bend to retrieve the basket. But Sullivan’s already curling his fingers around the handle.
“Shall we look for something yummy to eat?” I ask Molly.
