I open up my mouth to deny it. But…
The strangest thing happens.
No words come.
I can’t lie to him. I’m an expert at lying about my pain—to myself and to others.
But to this man that I hardly know and don’t even like, I can’t fucking lie.
“Ma’am? Excuse me, but you didn’t check into the lounge.”
I turn to face a frowning airport attendant.
“Can I see your pass please?”
My face turns hot. I certainly don’t need any more humiliation.
“I’m sorry.” I start to back up. “I came in here by mistake…”
“She’s with me.” Liam flashes the attendant his VIP pass along with a megawatt smile I didn’t know he had in him.
She hesitates. “Is she family?”
“Yes.” He gestures to Lulu. “She’s our nanny. I’m a single dad.”
The woman takes a second look at Liam’s handsome face and flashes him a big smile.
“Of course.” The woman nods. “Thank you.”
When she leaves, I look at Liam. “Nanny?”
He shrugs. “It just popped out. Must be because you said you used to work as one.”
He remembers that?
I mentioned it off-handedly the second time we met. Honestly, I’m half-surprised he even recognized me out of context.
Instead, I clear my throat and turn to smile at the little girl still holding tightly to Liam’s hand. “Hi. I’m not usually this messy. I’m Haley.”
“This is my daughter, Lulu.” He smiles at his little girl, andGod, his smile is filled with such love. “Lulu, this is Haley Laine. She lives in Montana near your uncles.”
She gives me an adorable wave. “Hi-hi.”
She’s wearing a cute pink dress with a heart embroidered onto it.
I wave back and gesture to her stuffed animal. “I love your unicorn. Does she have a name?”
“Yuni.”
“Yuni’s a great name. Can I pet her?”
Lulu beams up at me and holds out Yuni.
I pat her furry back and then playfully tug at the horn.
Lulu breaks into peals of laughter.
Her joy is infectious, and Liam and I join in with her.
