Whisked Away by Her Millionaire Boss

‘Thank you,’ Jodie said as she picked up the unicorn.

‘You’re welcome.’ He pointed. ‘And through that door is your mum’s room.’

All he’d done there was put some fresh flowers in as a welcome and a small box of expensive chocolates.

‘You’ve gone to a lot of trouble. Thank you.’

Her smile was genuine and it lit up her tired expression, giving him a warm sense of satisfaction. He’d got it right—he’d lightened her load a little.

‘No problem. I’ll give you a hand moving your stuff and then I’ll leave you to settle in.’

‘We’re going on a day out,’ Jodie said. ‘We’re going to the cinema and to have some lunch.’

‘That sounds like fun.’

‘What are you doing today?’ Jodie enquired, her little voice ultra-polite.

‘Um... I... I haven’t decided yet.’

‘Would you like to come with us?’

Sarah blinked and he saw surprise cross her face.

‘Jodie, I’m sure Ben has better things to do.’

‘But he doesn’t,’ Jodie pointed out.

Ben couldn’t help but smile. He caught Sarah’s eye and his smile broadened at her look of embarrassment.

‘And,’ Jodie continued, ‘it’s mean to leave him out.’

‘Well...’

‘It’s very kind of you to ask me, Jodie, but I think your mum might have planned a girls’ day out.’

Jodie frowned. ‘Don’t you want to come?’

To his utter surprise Ben realised that he did. Perhaps it was the knowledge that his own flesh-and-blood niece and nephew had never met him, and would therefore never ask him to go to the cinema, or perhaps it was the fact that the day suddenly seemed to stretch emptily ahead. Who knew?

‘I do want to come, but...’ He glanced across at Sarah. ‘I don’t want to intrude.’

Bafflement switched to resignation in Sarah’s brown eyes and he could almost see her forcing her lips to turn up in a smile. ‘You wouldn’t be intruding at all. But be warned: it’s not the sort of entertainment you’re used to.’

This last was said in a low voice as she walked towards the door.

She turned back to her daughter. ‘Jodie, honey, why don’t you go and get your suitcase, unpack, and get ready to go?’

The little girl nodded and skipped off. Once she was back and in her own room, Sarah gestured towards the stairs. Ben, assuming that she wanted to talk to him in private, led the way down and into the lounge.

‘I’m sorry,’ Sarah said softly. ‘I never expected her to ask you. I’m sure this is the last way you want to spend your Sunday.’

‘It’s not a problem at all. Really. I’m touched that she even wants me to come.’

He saw the frown furrow her brow. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘It’s unusual for her to ask someone she doesn’t know to come on a day out.’

‘Maybe she likes me?’ Ben suggested. Was that so out of the realms of possibility?