He pinned her against the wall and made a “shh” gesture with his finger over his lips. “Veronica? You home?” he called out.

When he didn’t receive an answer, he lifted the woman’s skirt.

Oh, hell. I couldn’t let Maisie see this. I went back into the kitchen, opened and then slammed a cabinet shut so he’d hear.

“What’s that for,” Maisie asked.

I didn’t have a good reason I could tell her. I couldn’t say it was to make sure Leo knew we were here so he’d take his hand out of the woman’s panties.

A few seconds later, Leo walked into the kitchen. “What are you doing here?” I wondered if he remembered who I was.

“I brought Maisie here. Veronica was running late, so I was waiting. I hope it’s okay I got her a couple of cookies and milk.”

Papa Leo looked at me and then Maisie. He was probably wondering what we saw or heard. I kept a straight face.

“Hello, Maisie.”

“Hi Papa Leo.”

The woman came into the kitchen. “Ah mademoiselle Maisie. Bonjour my petite.”

“Bon-jer, Marie.”

Huh. Turns out Leo was banging the nanny. I wanted to snicker; except I was a nanny that had been banged by my boss. Of course, my boss wasn’t married. Well he was now, but that was to me.

“Did Veronica say when she’d be back?” Leo asked me.

“About twenty minutes …” I looked at my watch, “Fifteen minutes ago.”

He nodded. “Listen, would you mind staying with Maisie until she arrives? I have some work I need to take care of with Marie.”

I couldn’t help but gape. Was he going to fuck his nanny while Maisie and I were here?

“We’re working on extending her work visa,” he said.

“Sure. I’ll wait.” My parents weren’t expecting me until dinner time anyway. I watched as Leo escorted Marie out of the kitchen.

“She seems nice,” I said as I picked up Maisie’s empty plate and milk glass to wash.

“She’s okay. I like you better. You make forts and don’t make me speak French.”

By the time I had Maisie’s milk mustache and crumbs cleaned up, Veronica arrived home. I wondered if I should say something to her about Leo and the nanny.

Should I tell Dylan too? That certainly might be dirt he’d want to use. My conscience told me it was bad to use this type of information against Veronica. It would hurt enough to find out her husband was cheating, but to have it used against her in her custody suit seemed heartless. Was I betraying Dylan by thinking that?

Deciding I didn’t need to do anything at that moment, I gave Maisie a hug and kiss and told her I’d see her next weekend. Then I headed to Brooklyn, hoping I’d get respite and peace by spending time with my parents. The only stress I had was in trying to decide if I should tell them about the baby now.

22

Dylan

I walked into a quiet house on Friday, knowing Maisie and Tessa were gone. It wasn’t the first time I’d come home with no one to greet me, but for some reason, the emptiness stole my breath. It was like walking into a space devoid of life.

I hated what had happened between Tessa and me. Wasn’t that the reason I’d tried to resist her in the first place? Because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship? But I couldn’t blame her for where we were now. That was on me. My misery and loneliness were all because I pushed her away. I’d asked her to play the role of a loving wife, which she did perfectly. Even now, when it was clear a chasm was between us, she cared for Maisie, played a dutiful wife, and even managed to continue to sleep in my bed when I was sure she’d rather be anywhere else.

I could see it was taking a toll on her, which made me hate myself even more. She looked so tired and sad all the damn time.

The last year of my marriage with Veronica, there was the same cool distance, but I’d grown used to it, and eventually when she left it was a relief not to have to pretend anymore. But with Tessa, the further she felt from me, the more I wanted to do something to change it. I was scared shitless to let her into my heart, and yet based on how I was feeling completely gutted in my own home, it seemed obvious that she was already there. Fuck, she’d probably always been there.

Tags: Ajme Williams Heart of Hope Romance
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