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“You’re such a jerk.” Stasia wrenched out of his hold and swatted at him, but he dodged her just in time. “Though I’m afraid my belly will probably pop out at any minute.”
“How far along are you?” Paige asked.
“Twelve weeks. I wanted to wait, and the doctor said it was safe to announce.” Shadows darkened Stasia’s gaze for a quick moment, then flickered away. “After everything that has…happened in the past. Both Gavin and I thought it best to make sure everything was okay.”
“One miscarriage, cara. Lucia had one too, you know.” Matteo hugged his sister again. “They’re very common.”
Paige frowned. She didn’t like it when her boss referred to his poor, pitiful wife, though she knew deep in her heart it was wrong of her to be jealous of a dead woman. Lucia Renaldi had been so greatly loved by this beautiful, thoughtful man and threw it away as if he were nothing…
She would’ve given anything to have a bond, a love that special, that strong.
“Yes, well, I didn’t want that same crushing feeling again, having to explain to everyone that there wasn’t a baby after all.” Stasia frowned, surely remembering what must’ve been a painful time. Paige hadn’t started working for Matteo yet, but Stasia had confessed everything to her not even a month ago.
Paige now realized Stasia had most likely been scared since she was pregnant again and needed to talk about the experience. Yet she’d never really revealed exactly why.
As Paige watched Matteo and Stasia, she shifted uncomfortably on her feet. She felt as if she were interfering in a private family moment. Maybe she should leave them be. After all, she was just the nanny. Matty would be waking up from his late nap soon and would most likely be cranky. She should go check on him, wake him up…
“Excuse me,” she said as she turned away and started across the living room.
“I’ll take you to dinner tonight to celebrate,” Matteo said behind her. “Where’s Gavin?”
“Still at work. But I can call and tell him to meet us somewhere.” Stasia paused and Paige turned, noticing the warm smile on Stasia’s face. “You’ll come with us, won’t you, Paige?”
“Oh, I…” Turning, she looked at Matteo for help, not quite sure how to answer. She wanted to go, but she had no business doing so.
“I’m sorry, I can’t,” she said.
“She needs to stay home for Matty, Stasia,” Matteo said quietly, by explanation, but his gaze was strangely locked with Paige’s. He didn’t look away, just studied her with those fathomless dark brown eyes and she swallowed hard, not knowing what to say when Stasia spoke.
“But I want Matty to go. And I want you to go too, Paige. Please say yes. You’ll need to come if Matty’s coming, probably.” Stasia put on a pleading look that surely not one of her brothers could ever refuse. “We’ve become such good friends these last few months and I feel like you’re a part of the family now. Don’t you agree, Matt?”
No one else really called him Matt. Just Stasia. Paige wouldn’t dare call him Matt. Half the time she still called him Mr. Renaldi, and she knew it irritated him to no end. Could only imagine what he thought when she said it.
He had his mouth fused with yours and his fingers inside your body, making you come, only a few months ago. Of course he finds it ridiculous when you call him Mr. Renaldi.
But they never spoke of that night. Didn’t acknowledge it whatsoever, so it became the wondrous moment between them that never happened. Not that Paige forgot. Oh no, more like it was all she could ever think about.
Which meant she was reduced to a pitiful mess of a woman who clutched at memories of one stolen night of complete and utter pleasure, doused by the fact that she’d fallen into a terribly cliché situation—the handsome, stoic boss that’s messing around with the young, impressionable nanny on the side.
Once.
She became embarrassed just thinking about it.
“Paige?”
Shaking her head, she smiled at Stasia. “It’s probably best I don’t go. Perhaps I should stay home tonight with Matty. He fell asleep late for his nap and he’ll be grumpy when he wakes up.”
“Come with us,” Matteo urged, his voice deathly quiet, his gaze hot. “We want you there with us tonight.”
A shiver slid down Paige’s spine. She refused to let his words sweep her off her feet. He said them to appease his sister. He didn’t really want her there with them tonight. “Whatever Mr. Renaldi wants to do is fine with me. If he wants to take Matty on his own, I’ll rearrange his toys again. Or—”
