“Oh, I didn’t know you were into aromatherapy.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “Do you have a favorite scent?”
“Lemon and honey.” I don’t think before I say it, but it’s out. It’s her scent. Her hands pause just long enough to let me know she heard it.
She recovers quickly. “Anything else?”
I scramble. Change the subject. Miss the mark completely. “I like the dark gray bathroom tiles. The tub that looks like a pool.”
Mia laughs, lightening the mood. “You could fit three people in there. Maybe even four.”
“No.” I roll my neck, feeling more relaxed. “Just two. With enough space to move around.”
I know the innuendo isn’t lost when her nails dig into my skin. Good. I’ll wear the marks as a badge of honor.
“You’re getting too good at this,” I praise.
“What? Massages?”
“That, and getting the truth out of me. You’re such a quick study, Miss Thorne. I can’t wait to start our next lessons and teach you some other things.” I start to turn around, but she stops me.
“As I’ve said, I’m on the clock.You come first and?—”
“Oh no, I don’t.” I cackle. “Not when I’m teaching you.”
“Oh, stop it.” She pushes me playfully. “Put that shirt back on. Now. Your mind is in the gutter, not on your dream room anymore.” God, I love when she gets all feisty and bossy.
The alarm to pick up Lily beeps, interrupting us. This time I’m allowed to turn around as she steps back.
“Mia,” I breathe her name in. “Your top.”
She glances down at the giant oil stain on it, then back at me.
“Huh…” She grins. “Guess I like it when you make a mess of me.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
mia
We pullup outside Lily’s school, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the pavement. I reach for my door handle, but Preston's already out, jogging to my side, and opening the door for me.
He unbuttons his coat while a blur of dark hair and a backpack charges out the gate.
“Here she comes,” Preston announces.
But Lily doesn’t go to him. She veers at the last second, straight past her father, and launches herself into my arms.
“Oh!” I catch her, slightly off-balance. “Hi there. Are you sure you’ve got the right person?”
Lily looks up at me, grinning. “I missed you.”
My chest tightens. I clear my throat, smoothing a hand down her hair. “Missed you too, Little Boss. Sorry I missed drop off.”
She grabs my hand and drags me toward the car, leaving Preston in our dust. He stands there watching, bemused.
I shoot him a wink over my shoulder. “Don’t take it personally. Your socks don’t sparkle.”
I reach for the front passenger door, but Lily tugs my hand toward the back.
“What am I, old news?” Preston says, feigning offense as he slides behind the wheel.
