CHAPTER 22
Mila managed not to give too much away to Nikki about how Maddox had behaved in the past. She realized Nikki knew there was more to it than she admitted, but Mila didn’t want to talk about it.
For one thing, Maddox was still her boss. For another, things had changed, and she wanted to move on. Perhaps in bigger ways.
By the end of the weekend, Mila felt right at home with Nikki and JB. Besides their looks, including sharing the same almost-black hair and eyes, Mila discovered that Nikki and Maddox had other things in common too. Like not being shy about asking personal questions sometimes. But Mila found it refreshing to watch Maddox interact with someone outside of his professional capacity. Especially since Nikki’s lighthearted nature brought out a more relaxed version of him.
Their last night at dinner, Nikki especially seemed like she was holding back something she wanted to tell them. But finally, after exchanging a glance with JB and taking his hand, Nikki said, “We have an announcement to make.”
Mila wondered if she should be there for this but no one else seemed to care.
Nikki placed a hand on her stomach. “We’re having a baby!” Nikki said.
Mila’s eyes widened as it sunk in. “That’s wonderful!” she said while Maddox stared in shock. Mila finally kicked his leg under the table.
“Is this a good thing?” he blurted out. Mila pursed her lips, but Nikki didn’t seem to take it amiss.
“Of course!” She laughed while her husband smirked. Apparently, they weren’t offended by Maddox’s lack of social etiquette sometimes.
Still, to steer the conversation in a positive light, Mila started asking the usual questions when you’re told someone is having a baby while Maddox sat numbly beside her.
After chatting about the due date and when they would know the gender, Nikki and JB went inside to get dessert to celebrate.
While they were alone at the table, Mila asked Maddox, “Are you okay? You seem a little out of sorts.”
Maddox had been quiet since the announcement, and he almost seemed confused. “I’m surprised.”
“I can tell.” Mila smiled slightly and laid her arm on the table next to his.
Maddox glanced down at her arm then looked back up at her. Then, he slid his hand over hers as if testing the waters. Mila flipped her hand over so their palms touched and she slowly intertwined her fingers with his.
Maddox leaned over tentatively. When Mila reciprocated and leaned closer, Maddox closed the gap and gently pressed his lips to hers. When they drew apart, Maddox said, “Mila–”
Nikki and JB’s voices drifted down from the nearby stone steps before he could say anything else. Instead of retracting his hand, Maddox pulled their hands under the table and settled them on his leg.
Mila’s heart galloped in her chest. What had just happened?
She knew what had happened, but this was a far cry from what she expected.
She knew Maddox had agreed to alter their agreement if she dated him. But did he say that because he sincerely wanted to be with her now?
Mila knew that’s what she hoped deep down. But could it be true?
She thought about Jackson’s kiss all that time ago and remembered wanting to know what was going on. But this was different, and she knew now that she didn’t care that much for Jackson. But she did care for Maddox. And if he regretted kissing her, it would hurt. Bad.
She managed to get through the rest of the night and focus on Nikki and JB’s exciting news. But that kiss, which felt all too real and nothing like what happened at the wedding, kept calling out to her.
Their time in Provence ended when they left the next morning. They traveled to Paris and resumed work as usual. With so many eyes on them, Mila was back to just being his assistant, which was difficult. Especially when they hadn’t talked about the kiss at all. It was just hanging there, and Mila worried about how Maddox felt about it.
“Mila, the documents,” Maddox whispered as she sat near him at a meeting in a conference room.
Mila almost jumped. Her thoughts were not on business right now. They were on the man talking to her. She made eye contact and Maddox wagged his eyebrows. Mila finally snapped back to reality and hustled to get the folder and handed it to him. He half smiled though he looked concerned.
In the car after they left, Maddox asked, “Are you all right? You haven’t been yourself today.”
Mila avoided his eyes. “It’s nothing. I should’ve been paying more attention.”
His lips compressed and her thoughts shot back to the kiss. She blinked and turned away.
Maybe Maddox hadn’t given it a second thought?
She tried to ignore that idea and watched the beautiful scenery instead. Except nothing sunk in no matter how hard she tried to change focus.
Parker waited for them in the hotel lobby this time. Maddox immediately went to his room, but Mila and Parker lingered near the elevators. He was dressed and ready for work, so he’d recovered since they left. “I can pick it up from here if you need to go pack,” Parker told her.
Mila blinked. “Pack?”
“Yeah.” He dug his hands in his pockets. “I was notified that you’re going home tonight.”
Mila’s stomach dropped but she tried to act casual. “Oh, right. I’m basically packed already.” She fought down the lump growing in her throat.
Parker nodded. “I guess you’re happy to offload all this, huh?” He smiled but it wasn’t as friendly as before. Did Parker think she wanted to steal his job?
“Definitely. It’s all yours.” It was the truth. The only thing she knew she liked about it was spending more time with Maddox. But it seemed that was coming to a fast conclusion.
Mila hurried to her room to pack what was left and prepared to go home. She’d received a message about when she’d be picked up and taken to the airport and stared at it in shock. Was this planned before or after the kiss?
Despite trying to contain it, Mila brushed away tears as she got ready to leave.
She thought about saying good-bye to Maddox, but she felt weird about it. Then, she realized he was at dinner anyway.
Parker was the only one who saw her off and he didn’t seem very sorry about it.