Miles wiped his mouth with a napkin and lowered it slowly while he formulated a response.
Penelope dear, who reminded me of a pixie vixen, kept ahold of his arm. Her violet eyes transfixed on Miles, trying to lure him under her spell.
Miles didn’t fall for it; instead he gazed at me. “I’ve been more inspired here than ever before in my life. I believe I have done some of my best work.”
Penelope’s hand dropped like a lead ball.
A look passed between Molly and Oscar that saidisn’t that interesting.
I gave Miles a reassuring smile. “It’s amazing.”
“You let her read it?” Penelope sounded appalled.
“She is my assistant,” Miles stated matter of factly. “And my biggest fan.” He winked at me.
That did not go over well with Penelope, who clucked her tongue but had no words.
Molly flashed her a look that saidbehave.
Penelope took a deep breath and dished herself some chicken.
I’m not going to lie, she scared me.
“Have you named this book yet?” Oscar asked.
Miles gave me the same proud look he had given my daughter moments earlier. “Actually, Aspen did, but I can’t release it until my editor approves it. But it’s brilliant.”
I thought back to Miles’s reaction when I got home from my day out with Henry on Monday. I swore I thought he was going to kiss me again. To say he lovedAscending Stoneswas an understatement. He went on and on about how brilliant it was. That it captured the essence of the book. How both Isabella and Dexter were learning how to rise above what occurred at the stone castle, but they were figuratively learning how to scale their emotional walls. Miles had cupped my face in his hands. He peered into my eyes like he had so much he wanted to say to me but couldn’t put it into words. His lips parted and he’d leaned in. Like an idiot, I’d closed my eyes, waiting to taste him again. Instead, I was treated to a peck on the forehead and Miles scampering away.
Penelope gripped her knife. “Well, Aspen, aren’t you just full of surprises. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“I’m not very good at underwater basket weaving or accepting patronizing compliments, but I’ll keep practicing.” I smirked to the sounds of several snorts and sniggers at the table. I probably should have held my tongue, but like I said, I wasn’t going to play her game.
Penelope’s nostrils flared and I swore I could see her mentally counting. Then she petted Miles. I think to remind herself what was at stake. Was Miles willing to be her victim, I meant, lover? Or was he already? I wasn’t getting that vibe. The only time he had touched her was that initial hug when they arrived. Other than that, it was only her hands on him.
“Oh, this is going to be a deliciously fun weekend.” Oscar rubbed his hands together.
I wasn’t sure how much fun it was going to be, but after dinner, Oscar, Molly, and I played a rousing game of Hi Ho! Cherry-O with Henry at the coffee table, while Miles helpedChloe with her paper at the island. Penelope sat on the couch wrapped up in her black cloak, drowning herself in wine, acting as if she were in some third world country. She kept staring at Miles like she’d entered the Twilight Zone. I wondered what she expected to find. And hello, if she thought this house and Carrington Cove were on the edge of civilization, she was crazy.
“So, Aspen, tell us some more about you.” Molly helped Henry count his cherries. “Have you always wanted to be a nanny?”
“No,” I laughed.
“I love Nanny,” Henry informed everyone.
Miles whipped his head my way. He looked both disturbed and delighted that Henry loved me. As quick as he had looked my way, he turned back to help Chloe, who was full of light from the compliments she’d received from Miles. He was proud of his protégé’s work.
“I love you, Henry,” I made sure to tell the little man in my life, really the only man in my life.
He scrunched his face at me and threw some cherries in the air.
“You have other career aspirations then?” Penelope inserted herself into our conversation. More liked pleaded with me to tell her it was so.
“I’m happy where I’m at.” It was true. Taking care of Henry was the best job I’d ever had. I knew it wouldn’t last, which I tried not to think about because it killed me. And honestly, I had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise after my contract was over. Definitely not go back to the bank.
“I could never be achildminder,” Penelope scoffed in her condescending voice.
“She’s much more than a childminder,” Miles defended me.
