“Hi, Landon.” She places her head on Brett’s lap when he sits. “Good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Laurie.”
She gives me a side-eye and I wonder how much of what occurred in San Francisco Rachel has shared with her.
Just then, Rachel walks into the living room, and I stop wondering anything.
Something tender and unfamiliar wells up inside me. God, she is lovely. Almost unbelievably so.
I take a deep breath, wondering how I’ll keep my hands off her all night. “Hey baby.”
Her cheeks warm. “Hey.”
I go over to her and drop a light kiss on her lips. She smells like peaches and sweetness. Oh Rachel. “You ready?”
“Almost.” She disappears for a moment and returns with a purse.
“Have fun,” Laurie calls out before fixing me with a warning look. “Take care of her.”
My eyes find Rachel’s and I grin. “I fully intend to.”
Aidan’s play is spectacular, and despite his reservations about Liz McKay, his star, she makes the story come to life. Throughout the performance, Aidan sits pensively in one corner of the gallery, and I wonder if he’s even aware of how appreciative the audience is.
When the final curtain falls, I take Rachel to meet him. After talking to a few theater critics, he looks almost cheerful.
“You must be Rachel.” He gives her the smile that charmed all the nannies when he was little. “I’m Aidan.”
“It’s great to meet you,” she replies with a sweet smile. “And your play was very enjoyable.”
“I hope the critics think so.” He laughs. “But let’s forget about work. What’s a nice girl like you doing with my brother?”
&nb
sp; “None of your business,” I grunt.
They both laugh merrily at my expense.
“How’re you coping with your ingénue?” I ask Aidan.
He shudders. “Don’t ask.”
“I thought she was wonderful,” Rachel says. She has an idea that Aidan’s dislike of his star might be attraction in disguise. Now, watching Aidan, I wonder if she’s right.
“She was spellbinding, actually,” Aidan says, his expression clouding. “But as I said, let’s forget about the play. Landon promised to take me out for a drink.” He holds out a hand to Rachel. “I hope you’re coming?”
Aidan chooses a bar near the theater, where he entertains Rachel with stories about me. I glare and threaten, but as they are both having fun and hitting it off, I don’t really mind.
I leave them together at the table and take a call about work. From the edge of the bar, I watch them talk and laugh. I’m glad about the success of the play, but more than that, I’m just so thankful to see Aidan happy. I still worry about him. It’s always after it looks like he’s started to soar that he crashes right back to the ground.
Maybe now it’s time for me to be responsible for myself.
I won’t hover and fret. I’m going to trust that he will be all right.
I took care of your baby, Mom.
I’m slightly emotional when I return to the table. Aidan is still revealing my secrets to Rachel, and I watch her laugh, her eyes shining as she looks at me.
She’s mine.