Page 45 of A Nanny for the Reclusive Billionaire

The thought made Mallory shiver in anticipation. “He’s my boss.”

“That didn’t stop Maria.”

“You’re not going to let this wholeSound of Musicthing go, are you?”

“I only want to see you happy,” Brooke insisted. “After everything you’ve been through, no one deserves that more than you.”

Mallory’s voice softened. “I know your heart’s in the right place. And I am happy. Really. For the first time in my life, I’m where I want to be, doing what I want to do.”

“Or who you want to do.”

“Stop. Seriously.” Mallory’s wry laugh took some of the bite from her words.

“Fine. I’ll let it drop for the time being. But don’t think this conversation is over.”

“We’ll see about that.” Mallory stretched her legs out in front of her and yawned. She’d almost forgotten how tired she was. The price she had to pay for a night of wall-banging sex and hardly any sleep. “You know, you’d better be careful. You’re starting to sound like Mom.”

It was Brooke’s turn to chuckle. “Heaven forbid.”

The unmistakable sound of an outboard engine cut across her sister’s words. Collins was back.

“I have to get going.” Mallory swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, crossing to her dresser. “I’ll see you in a few weeks for your post-elopement gala.”

Brooke groaned. “Don’t remind me. Mom is driving me crazy with invitations and seating charts and flower arrangements.”

“It’ll all be over soon.” Mallory riffled through her drawers, pulling out underwear, a tank top, and a pair of denim shorts. “Then you and Eli can live peacefully ever after.”

“From your lips to Mom’s ears. She’s so beside herself that I landed one of Manhattan’s most eligible bachelors, I’m afraid she’ll never leave us alone. Especially now that you’re hundreds of miles away.”

“Trying to guilt me into moving back home?” Mallory shrugged off her robe and stepped into her panties. “Now you really do sound like Mom.”

“No. But you know what would get her off my back?”

“What?” The bra was next, followed by her shirt and shorts.

“If you found your own most eligible bachelor. Say one with a private island, a tech fortune, and a penchant for naughty nannies. Extra points if he’s got a cute kid she can go all grandmotherly on.”

“It’s official.” Mallory buttoned her shorts and slipped her feet into a pair of vinyl flip-flops. “The transformation is complete. You don’t just sound like Mom, you are Mom. Although I can’t imagine anyone describing her as grandmotherly.”

“You wound me.” Brooke’s tone was more playful than hurt. “Now go get your man.”

“He’s not…”

But Brooke had already hung up. And Mallory wasn’t sure how convincing her response would have been anyway.