A way too satisfied grin lives on my lips.
“Stop smiling. It’s creeping me out.” She once again heads for the exit. “You’re driving. I’m much better as a passenger princess, so pick me up at home.”
I watch as Miller leaves, getting back into her van, and fuck do I love that the term home keeps slipping from her mouth.
Chapter 21
Miller
This house is nice. Similar to Kai’s place, which is only ten minutes away, but a bit bigger. On the short drive over, I learned that the owners are a local NBA player and his fiancée, and that I’d also be meeting another guy who plays for Chicago’s NHL team as well as his fiancée.
I’m nervous.
I was hesitant to agree when Kai asked me back at the stadium, but those nerves have only amplified on the ride over here. Meeting the closest friends of the dad I’m nannying for doesn’t exactly seem like the nostrings-attached summer I planned for. In fact, this dinner feels very stringy.
At the same time, there’s an odd pressure sitting on my chest, hoping they’ll like me. I can’t recall the last time I was concerned about acceptance. I never stay in one place long enough to worry if I’ll make friends or not, but this feels different and I’m not sure why. It shouldn’t matter if Kai’s friends like me or not because, in less than a month’s time, they won’t remember me anyway.
Kai opens the front door without knocking, reaffirming how comfortable he is with these people, and I enter first with Max slung on my hip. But two steps into the foyer, when I hear voices, I stop.
“Go ahead.” He motions towards the back of the house. “I think everyone is in the kitchen.”
I don’t move.
“You okay?”
I nod.
“Miller Montgomery.” He turns toward me. “Are you . . . nervous?”
“No.”
He chuckles. “Oh my God, you are. Miss ‘grab my tits if it’ll help you calm down’ is nervous for a little family dinner.”
I can’t even get in on the joke right now. That’s how off I feel.
His face softens. “They’re all nice people, Mills.”
I straighten my shoulders, determination set between them. “I’m sure they are. Let’s go.”
Kai’s confused stare burns into the back of my head, but I’m not going to reveal that I’m nervous because I don’t really have friends. No need to explain that friendship leads to connection which leads to heartbreak when I inevitably leave for the next city. Because then he’d ask why I’d be nervous if that were the case and I’d have to try to figure it out for myself why I want his friends to like me of all people.
I’m the first to see everyone as I stand in the entryway to the kitchen with Max on my hip.
“Hi!” He waves to the four other people in the room, but I stay frozen in place when all eyes land on me. Then Kai’s hand finds the small of my back and an odd amount of peace washes over me from that simple gesture.
That’s Kai though. Stable. Dependable. Always there when you need him.
But this summer, he’s needed me. To help with his son. To make him let loose. And now, the tables have turned for the first time in our . . . whatever our situation is.
The group of four glance around each other in the kitchen, unspoken conversations taking place, before a tall man with a chain around his neck and tattoos decorating his arm splits into a cheeky smile. “Well, aren’t you three the cutest little family we’ve ever seen.” He finishes that with a few brow pumps aimed at the man at my side.
We do look domestic as hell, me holding Max, and Kai carrying the lemon meringue pie I whipped up.
“Miller, right?” asks a woman with blue-green eyes and curly hair.
I hold my hand up in a small wave. “That’s me. The nanny he wasn’t allowed to fire and is now sleeping with.”
A man with equally vibrant eyes chokes on his drink.
“Yep. I like her,” says the first man with the tattoos.
“She’s giving you guys shit,” Kai corrects.
A blonde woman with a spring in her step bounds right towards me. “It is so great to meet you! I’m Indy,” she says, gesturing behind her. “This is my fiancé, Ryan. Welcome to our home! And that’s my best friend, Stevie, and her fiancé, Zanders.”
I mentally engrain those names the best I can.
Man with ocean eyes and freckled cheeks: Ryan.
Woman with those same attributes: Stevie.
Tattoos and chain: Zanders