“Will it do for a few months?”
“I think I’ll manage in this hovel.” I grin. I’ll save my opinion on the absence of color and personality for another day.
When I turn back to Ronan, I realize that the room is smaller than I first thought, or, more likely, that he’s bigger. His presence sucks up all the space, and I become acutely conscious of the bed.
“Poppy, you’re here! You’re really my new nanny!”
Belle rushes to me for a hug.
I kneel to her level. “I’m glad. It’s going to be fun, little one.”
“I like these.” She touches my dangly green earrings. I changed about ten times this morning, trying to figure out what a nanny-to-the-stars should wear, especially when I have a crush on that star. It had to be comfortable and casual enough to suit my actual job but still look cute for Ronan. I settled on my favorite jeans and long-sleeved cream top. The fabric is soft, and the sleeves are romantic and flowy.
“Thank you. They’re good-luck earrings.”
“They are?”
I nod. “They were a gift from my sister at my first-ever gallery show.”
“What’s a gallery show?”
“It’s when an artist frames and puts up their work for other people to look at and maybe buy.”
“Oh! I’d never want one.”
“Why not?”
“I wouldn’t want people to see my pictures. I’d be too embarrassed.”
“You should never be embarrassed about anything you create. I used to feel the same way and still do sometimes, but it’s also fun and exciting.”
“Did people buy your art?”
“Some of it.”
“Have you had another show?”
“No. That was in college. There hasn’t been time for painting or shows lately.”
Ronan’s gaze feels like a brand on me.
I stand up. “Now, Little Miss Magic, let’s go and get your hair done. Something tells me you’ve decided on your style for the day.”
“But can you really do braids? As good as Daddy?”
I smirk at Ronan.
He raises one manly brow.
“Maybe,” I say.
Ronan tilts his head. “You think?”
“You haven’t seen my skills,” I brag. “I have a twin sister. I had a partner to practice with every morning. Let’s show your dad what we girls can do!” I high-five Belle, and she takes my hand to lead me to her room. Ronan follows us into the hallway, and before we cross the threshold, I turn to peek back at him.
He stands by the stairs, still in his loose shirt and workout shorts, still gorgeous. But the look on his face is like nothing I’ve seen before.
There’s humor and affection and something deeper.
