“Little Henry seems to be taken with you too.” Shelby patted her heart. “He’s just precious.”
“He is,” I agreed.
Jenna leaned forward. “The real question is what do you think of Mr. Sexy?”
Unfortunately, Jenna’s description of him was spot-on.
Chapter Five
“I’msorryaboutmyfriends.” I helped get Henry situated in his booster seat. He insisted on sitting next to me in the booth.
“Not to worry, love. It’s good you have excellent mates. And I do love to meetfans.”
My attention switched from Henry to Miles, who was gloating.
I tucked some hair behind my ear. “I loveSilent Stones,” I conceded. “It might even be my favorite book.” It absolutely was, but I felt like I should leave some room for doubt.
His beautiful aqua eyes danced in the dim lighting. “Why was that so hard for you to admit?”
The complete answer was complicated and would only be shared with someone I knew I could trust. Mr. Wickham, as kind as he seemed, didn’t qualify. “Um . . .” I picked up a crayon and began coloring with Henry on the children’s menu. “I didn’t want you to think I was only interested in this position because I was some crazed fan.” I offered part of the truth.
He chuckled. “I have known many crazed fans, and you don’t qualify. I thank you for that.”
I looked up from mystellar coloring job—my blue bear was going to be a masterpiece. “Are crazy fans a problem for you?” I hadn’t thought about that aspect.
“Back home in London, once in a while a daft fan will get it in her head that she fancies me, and she’ll do something ridiculous like kiss me unexpectedly or hand me her knickers.”
My brows shot up. I bet they weren’t granny panties. “What do you do when that happens?”
“It depends on how good the kiss is and how sexy the knickers are.”
I manifested my disappointment by sighing audibly. Though I should have expected his response.
Miles hung his head. “That was an ill-fated joke, I see.”
I bit my lip, sorry I had jumped to a conclusion. “I’m—”
Henry interrupted by holding up his picture. “Look what I made.”
I was happy for the distraction. I took Henry’s picture and admired how he had scribbled over the forest scene. “You did such a good job.”
Henry beamed with pride.
I ruffled his curly locks.
“Aspen,” the most alluring voice spoke my name.
My eyes lifted, meeting Miles’s.
Miles wore a thoughtful gaze. “I’m not sure what sort of man you are used to, but I promise you, while under my employment you will be respected, and I will make sure no harm comes to you or your daughter from any of my fans. If it makes you feel any better, hardly anyone recognizes me in America.” He sounded relieved by that fact.
“Thank you,” Iwhispered.
The smile returned to his face. “I hope this means you will accept my offer.”
“I have some questions first.”
His laughter reverberated between us. “I figured you might.”
