But that was before Belle. The nannies and even the maids I’ve hired since have been through agencies that vet the employees and make them sign a mountain of paperwork, including NDAs. Not that it stopped Tiffany from taking photos of me and trying to sell the story.
Poppy had been hired directly by me, and I never asked her to sign one. Perhaps it hadn’t been smart. But I trusted her from the start. I still do.
These types of worries are just one more reason why having a relationship is complicated for me. I live my life guarded, never sure who to trust, and I’d hate to see Poppy have to as well.
CHAPTER27
8 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS (STILL)
Poppy
“Holy shit,”Sadie says, staring after Ronan.
“He kissed your hand. He bought you the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. I mean, he bought you shoes,” she squeals. “Ronan Masters bought you shoes.”
“I know,” I squeal back at her.
I want to tell her more. I’m dying to tell her about the night in front of the fire when he kissed meeverywhere. But I can’t betray Ronan’s trust like that. He’s not some guy I met on a dating app. Not that I’m swiping right, but still.
I trust Sadie completely, but who I trust is not just up to me anymore. To love Belle and Ronan is to live with a certain amount of discretion. And they are worth it.
Love.
I love Belle. That part is easy to admit. I fall for every child I teach. Each one becomes part of me. And Belle is even more special.
But loving Ronan? That’s as stupid as it is inevitable. How could I not?
I went from being dumped by my fiancé to falling for a movie star. And the worst of it is, now that I know what it’s like to love Ronan, I realize just how shallow my relationship with Derek was, especially at the end.
When we broke up, my ego was bruised. My hopes for the future were damaged. But my heart wasn’t truly broken. Not like it will be when Ronan and Belle leave.
“What’s going on between you two?” Sadie asks, interrupting my thoughts. She sounds equal parts envious and worried.
“Just me falling for a dad and his daughter who will leave soon.”
“But what if they don’t? Or what if he wants you to go to Hollywood with them?”
Tingles shoot through me at the idea. I admit, in the early hours of the morning, I’ve asked myself just that. I’ve allowed myself to dream.
But it’s fantasy, not reality. Christmas will end with them heading back to California. He’s always been clear about that, and he’s never indicated that he wants anything more.
And even if he did, how could it ever work? I belong in Snowflake Harbor. And Ronan’s life is in LA and on sets around the world.
“That’s not the way this works, Sadie. But maybe this being so short makes it even more precious,” I say. “I spent over a decade with Derek, and it’s scary how much more I care for Ronan in just these few months. I want to make the most of every day until they go.”
Sadie nods. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. You’ve always loved with your whole heart. I think at times you’re too loyal for your own good. But that just makes you, you.”
I shift, uncomfortable with her words. “Where’s your date?” I change the subject. “You said you were bringing Lonely Book Boy, right?” I ask.
She frowns. “He wasn’t able to make it, after all.”
“Oh, Sadie, I’m sorry.”
“He’s an ER doctor, and he had to cover someone’s shift at the hospital.”
“Lonely Book Boy is a doctor?” I ask. “Whoa.”
“Score one for the nerdy boys,” Sadie says. “He moved to town recently, and he’s been working so many hours that he hasn’t really met many people. He promised to make it up to me.”
