Make Me Yours(34)

She goes in the room, stopping me before I can follow her. “Stay out here so you can get the full effect once it’s on.”

Going to the door, I watch as Lillie ducks under veils and holds her hands out. She’s going to dream about this tonight.

“Gray said karaoke starts Tuesday at the Red Cat. Why don’t we do that together?” The door opens, and she steps out in a fitted, sleeveless white gown. “Like old friends.”

“Oh!” My breath catches, and my eyes get hot. “You’re beautiful! I’m going to cry.”

Fanning my face quickly, I shake my head.

“Stop it! You’re going to make me cry, and I have two more dresses to try on!”

My bestie tries on two more gowns, but the first one’s the winner. We’re driving back to Oakville by dinner time, and Lillie’s crashed out in her booster chair in my backseat.

“So you’re still coming to the wedding next month, right?” Drew’s got her phone out, and I panic slightly—which my bestie doesn’t miss. “Ruby! You’re my maid of honor. You have to be there.”

“It’s just a weekend thing?” I’m really panicking because of all the parties and showers I need to get scheduled for her. If she’s pregnant we can’t go too crazy. Maybe a lunch?

“It’s Thursday to Sunday.” She shows me a wedding planner app on her phone. “Or Saturday night, I guess.”

“Of course, I’ll be there.” We’re at her house, and I give her cheeks air kisses before she hops out and takes her wedding dress inside.

Thinking a month ahead feels like a whole different world to me. In a month I’ll know if I’m still working for Remi. So much can happen in a month.





14





Remi


Mr. Remington Key, plus one, is cordially invited to Empire Investments’ annual gala on… Reading the gold lettering on the folded linen invitation, I can only think one thing. I’m in.

The Empire Investments Gala is the premiere meet and greet for developers and venture capitalists in the tech world, and I have one of the fifty invitations they send every year. This is fantastic. Only one small problem. It specifically states plus one.

I have to bring a date. My mind immediately flies to Ruby. Will she go with me on an overnight trip to Manhattan? I’ve given her space since our fucking hot as shit encounter on Friday—not that I’m giving up on pursuing her. I only recognize her point. It would be difficult to engage in a romantic relationship without jeopardizing her position as Lillie’s nanny, and I don’t want to do anything to hurt my daughter.

Speaking of, if she went as my plus one, who would keep Lillie?

“Remington, I need to speak with you.” Eleanor. She’s both a cause and a solution for my problem.

Aren’t I supposed to be the master of solving problems? Lately I have more of them than solutions.

“We’re starting our second week with this young woman living in our house, and I’m just not sure how I feel about it.” Her arms are crossed, and she squares off, facing me.

It’s Monday afternoon, and through my open French doors, I can hear Ruby and Lillie down in their tiny garden chattering. I hear the occasional burst of laughter, and it warms my heart. It makes me want to hold onto her even tighter.

Dropping the invitation on the stack of mail beside my computer, I meet my mother-in-law at the sofa separating my workspace from the open, sitting area near the balcony doors.

“It’s my house, Eleanor, and I couldn’t be happier with Ruby. Did you see the paintings they did last week?”

I’m still feeling pretty proud of my little girl’s first attempt at art. I’m completely knocked out by how talented Ruby is. She’s really amazing.

“I did, and did you even ask if she used nontoxic paint? What if Lillie had put her paintbrush in her mouth? We already know that idiot teacher lets her eat dirt.”

“I’m sure Ruby watched her closely.”

I’m not, but hell, you have to give kids some credit for not being morons.

Although she did eat dirt… Because that little brat Louie wouldn’t let her be a soldier. Lillie wanted to be a soldier. I wonder if it means she has an interest in the military.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to live here with the way she looks at you.” She shakes her head and inhales. “There, I said it. People are talking, and I think it’s a bad idea.”

“I couldn’t care less about small-town gossip.” Slipping my hands in my pockets, I even my tone. “I’d actually hoped you might start looking for your own place. I’m sure you’d like more privacy.”

Her arms drop, and she looks as if I’ve struck her. “I have all the privacy I need in my suite downstairs. I need to be near my granddaughter. I’ve lived here all her life. It’s all she knows. Anyway, it’ll help with these silly rumors if I’m here.”

I lose the fight with my annoyance. “I don’t give a shit about the rumors, and Lillie will adjust to you having your own place. It would give her somewhere to go for sleepovers, and you can spoil her all you want.”

“I will not listen to that kind of language, Remington! This sounds like the influence of that young woman.” Her arms are crossed again, and she steps closer, lowering her voice. “Serena North went to school with her, and it seems she’s rather wild. She’s dated a lot of men.”