Charlie frowned.“I like carrots.”
Nash nodded.“Now, you do.Not at that age though.You’d toss them off your highchair and send me death glares.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yeah.Before you became a bottomless pit, you were picky.”
“I don’t remember.”
“You were little.”
“I hope Ella Mae remembers me.”Then he turned those big pleading eyes to Olivia.“Will you stay in Phail for a bit?Try out the B&B and visit the farm one day?Tomorrow?”
Her heart lurched.Other than Mary Mae and Liam, had anyone ever wanted her to stay?
She found herself nodding.“I’ll check out the B&B and see if they have a room for a few days.”
Charlie raised his arms in victory and kept them up until Ella copied his movements.Laughing, he turned to his dad.“Give Olivia your phone number, Dad.I never remember to charge my phone.”
So, he wasn’t a kid who was stuck to social media.
Nash rolled his eyes.“Unless there’s a dragon on your e-reader.”
Olivia’s heart clutched at the words.Charlie was a fantasy reader, the age of her target demographic.She wanted to ask if he’d read any of her books, but didn’t.She didn’t want to connect her identities together.Livie Sanchez, her pen name, was all about dragons and brucans.Olivia Gonzalez was all about Ella Mae.Carmen Hall, her birth name, wasn’t about anything anymore.For safety, she would stay hidden forever.She was Olivia for now and for always.
Olivia lowered her gaze to the baby bag she carried as she searched for her phone.
Nash handed her his.“I’ve unlocked mine and plugged in your name.Just add your number and then I’ll have you.”
A shiver of desire ran through her at his innocent words.She’d love to be had by a man like Nash.Kind.Great dad.Sexy as hell.
But that wasn’t what he meant.
It didn’t mean she couldn’t have a little fantasy in her life.Not like the fantasy adventures she wrote for middle schoolers and young adults.This fantasy would be all about romance.
And remain very, very private.
When she returned the phone, their fingers brushed and caused more shivers.More desire.She was officially ridiculous.
When she felt her phone buzz, she had to contain another shiver.She had his number now, too.Not only was he a sexy man, but he was also the only person in her contacts aside from her lawyer and a police officer back in New York.
Nash smiled softly.“We’ll probably spend tomorrow getting settled at the farm, but we’ll text you in a day or two to see if you want to visit.”
She definitely wanted to visit.
Nash ordered a box of cinnamon buns to take to the farm, and Olivia grabbed a single bun to go.The diner was closing for the day and she wasn’t sure what else was available in town to eat.
When Olivia pulled out her wallet to pay her share, Nash put his hand on hers.Warm, strong.
Yep, she was weaving fantasies.
“I’ve got it.We invited you, and it’s to thank you for making our first time playing in the snow so much fun.”
She protested, but he’d already given Ginny his card.
“I’ll get the next one.”Which was incredibly forward of her.Instead of looking surprised, Nash’s eyes warmed as he nodded.“I’d like that.”
Maybe she wasn’t alone in fantasy land.
