“Yes, I forgot she’s yourassistant,” Penelope said maniacally.
“She’s also a teacher and she tells fantastic bedtime stories.” Miles flashed me a smile.
Penelope drained her glass.
I tucked some hair behind my ear, feeling uncomfortable being the center of attention. “Please tell me about yourselves. Miles said you’ve all been friends for a long time.”
“We could tell you some wild stories about your boss.” Molly wiggled her eyebrows.
“Not in front of the children,” Miles warned.
Molly reached across the coffee table and patted my hand. “Later, darling.”
“I look forward to it.” I found myself wanting to know everything about Miles.
Penelope sat up and discarded her cloak as if it were on fire. “While we are on the subject of better days, is there a pub in town?” she asked me.
“Sure. There are a few bars.”
“Brilliant. Miles, let’s go have a drink and relive some of our glory days.”
Molly and Oscar were shaking their heads again. “Foolish, foolish girl,” Oscar whispered under his breath.
Miles rubbed the back of his neck and blew out a large breath. “Penny, I can’t. It’s almost Henry’s bedtime and I have some work to do. We’llallgo out for a drink tomorrow night, and Saturday night Aspen will take us to her friends’ comedy club.”
What he meant by “all” was the four of them. I told Miles I would keep Henry tomorrow night while Chloe was with my dad at the dance. My parents would keep Henry and Chloe Saturday night so we could go to High On Laughs and see Jenna and Brad perform along with some other top-notch comedians from across the country.
Penelope’s face dropped. I thought she might burst into tears. Part of me felt sorry for her even if she was half evil. More like half in love with Miles. I could see where that could drive you insane. He was intoxicating.
“Well,” she picked up her glass and bottle of wine. “It’s not like I flew halfway across the world to see you. I’m going to retire. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, love,” Miles said, not bothering to argue with her.
She waited for him to stop her and when he didn’t, she dramatically swept up the stairs.
“Don’t mind her,” Molly told me, “she’s a bit off her trolley now. She’s never dealt well with disappointment.”
“Or competition,” Oscar purred.
Chapter Thirty
IfeltlikeIwas walking on eggshells Friday morning. Especially when I brought Henry in to Miles for their dance party and found Penelope already there, sitting on his desk in a skintight black body suit. I guess black was her signature color. Like I said before, she wasn’t necessarily gorgeous, but there was something about her that was appealing. She carried herself well and she had that artistic vibe going for her. Even her asymmetrical haircut played into her persona. Her stunning violet eyes didn’t hurt either.
When I walked in, Miles was taking my sketch out of her hand and placing it back on his desk where it belonged. Penelope threw me a snide look.
“Good morning.” I tried to pretend that it was business as usual. I set Henry free and he ran to his uncle.
Miles took Henry up in his arms. “Good morning, mate. Did you sleep well?”
Dang. Miles was even more attractive with Henry in his arms. At least I thought so. Penelope’s slackened mouth said she was horrified.
Henry shouted, “I want to dance!”
Penelope rubbed her finger against her ear. For goodness sakes, he wasn’t that loud. Had she never been around a child?
Penelope reached out and petted Miles’s arm. “Only five more years until you can send him to boarding school.”
I gasped and held onto my chest. Miles wouldn’t do that, would he?
