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1
ARIA MARTINEZ
“Thank you so much, Aria.” The older woman smiled warmly. I nodded, ignoring the knot in the back of my throat as the girls picked up their bags and looked at me. There was no hiding the way I felt. My sisters always told me I wore my heart on my sleeve, and it had never been truer than in that moment.
“Nana, can we say goodbye to Nanny Aria?” River asked, her big blue eyes slightly glassy. I swallowed hard as I kneeled after her grandmother agreed easily.
Both girls, River and Lake, ran over to me. I braced, knowing first-hand how strong they were. I laughed when I lost my balance and tumbled onto my butt, and they dogpiled on top of me.
“Girls! You’re going to hurt her! Ari, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Mrs. —”
“Amy, darling. Call me Amy,” she corrected me, and I nodded as I focused my attention on the girls in front of me.
“Okay, what are you guys going to do first when you get to your grandma’s?”
“Put our bags in our room,” Lake answered. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with pride at knowing the answer.
“Good. And what are you not going to forget to do before bed?”
“Brush our teeth,” River answered with a toothy grin and then became serious. “Are you sure you can’t go with us?”
“We’re going to miss you,” Lake added in a whisper. I nodded and hugged both girls tightly.
“I will be here for you girls after your vacation! You’re going to have so much fun you will forget all about me.”God, I hope not.
“That’s not possible, Ari,” River reassured me before pulling away. Her big blue eyes were wide with concern, and I knew by the look she had on her face that whatever she was going to say next was going to kill me. “Maybe you can check on Daddy while we’re gone?”
Check on Daddy.Such an innocent request. I tried to school my expression and not look over my shoulder. Even though he hadn’t made a sound, I knew he was watching us from the doorway.
Standing there all lean and tall. Powerful and oh so handsome.
“I’ll see what I can do.” I winked, but she frowned.
“Promise? He will work too hard if you don’t come over,” Lake added.
“Oh, honey, he doesn’t need a nanny.” I giggled, shaking my head and ignoring all the thoughts that had started to bombard my mind.
Images of my deliciously handsome boss ran through my head. Sweaty, bare chested, and tangled-up-with-me images. I shook my head and hugged them one more time before helping them back up and stood along with them.
“Daddy!” River yelled the moment she looked behind me.
Just like I knew he would be, he was standing at the doorway. I watched as they both ran to their dad and attacked him. But he didn’t fall back like I had. He picked his girls up, his rich hearty laughter doing all sorts of weird things to me.
“I should go get my things. Mrs.—" Amy gave me a look, and I laughed softly. “Sorry, Amy, it was so good to see you again. I will see you soon. If you need anything, you have my number.”
“Of course, honey.” She smiled genuinely and patted my shoulder. “You have made them so happy,” she noted. I tore my eyes away from the scene of Aiden—Mr. Stark—with his girls.
“Excuse me?”
“The girls and Aiden, sweetheart. They’ve changed since you stated working here.”
“Oh? I haven’t done much,” I downplayed. I wasn’t responsible for the sight in front of us. The way they whispered and laughed together. Like thieves up to no good. A team. It was beautiful.
“You have. More than you know.” She patted my shoulder, and it was difficult for me to tear my gaze from them. “He’s changed, too. He’s Sweeter. Gentler now. Up until last year, it always felt like he had a wall between him and the girls. Like he didn’t know how to connect.”
“They were younger. It’s tough as a single dad, I guess.”
