“Oh God.”
He was alarmed to see her eyes well with tears. “Hey, don’t cry.”
“I’m not. I’m just... touched. Really, really touched that you dropped everything to come over and help me.”
“Don’t be touched.” He tapped her chin. “Phone Jessica.”
“Right. Yes.” She nodded, squared her shoulders, then let them drop. “I can’t. It’ll be like I’m abandoning Mia.”
“You’re not. You’re leaving her with Ellie’s dad. The one who can do awesome plaits.” He picked up the phone she’d left on the island and handed it to her. “Make the call. I’ll go check on Mia.”
He left Olivia and walked back into the living room.
“How are you doing?” he asked the girl curled up on the sofa. “Still got a tummy ache?”
“It doesn’t hurt so bad now.” She looked over at the TV. “I can’t find anything to watch.”
He picked up the remote and scanned through the guide. “Ellie likes the Nature channel. There’s a show about monkeys at the moment. Oh, andFriends.” Shit, he wasn’t supposed to admit that. “Or there’s alwaysBake Off. She loves that.”
Mia’s face scrunched in a frown. “What?”
“You’ve never watchedThe Great British Bake Off?” He mock tutted. “It’s time we rectified that.”
He switched to the right channel and explained the premise of the show. By the time Olivia walked in, Mia was engrossed.
“Oh, no, Mia, what’s he got you watching?”
She giggled. “Some people trying to make cakes. It’s funny.”
Olivia glanced at him and he raised his eyebrow. “Are we on?”
“Jessica says if Mia’s fine with you looking after her, then so is she.”
He nodded, trying to act cool while his insides sloshed with relief at the display of trust. “So, Mia,” he said, turning back to the little girl. “Are you okay with me waiting with you until your mum comes home? Your aunt could do with going back to work.”
A shy smile spread across her face. “Will you do my hair in plaits again?”
“If you promise to sit here and rest so it makes my life easy, sure.” He stuck out his hand and she clutched it, giggling.
“Deal.”
Olivia was smiling as she kissed her niece goodbye. “Get well soon.”
“Can we do a playdate with Ellie at the weekend if I’m better?”
Connor had to hide his laughter. “I wonder who she gets these negotiation techniques from.”
Olivia tapped her niece on the nose. “I’ll talk to your mum.”
At the front door Olivia gave him a searching look. “Did you know Ashley went to Paris with Aaron?”
“I didn’t, but good on them. They both deserve some happiness.”
“Yes, they do.” Instead of opening the door, she stared up at him. “You made that happen. You’re a good man, Connor.”
His throat locked tight. “I’ve not been, at times, but I’m working on it.” He bent and kissed her, which turned into something longer, deeper than he’d planned because, fuck, she was addictive. When he finally drew back, they were both panting. “I’m going to miss you tonight,” he rasped, dropping a kiss on her temple. “Call me, let me know what happened?”
“Yes, of course.”
