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"Go. Go mingle. I know," Lacey finishes my sentence with a smile. "I'll be fine, Aidan. Now go work the room like the pro that you are. We'll be right here."
I nod, leaning over to kiss Grace on her tiny cheek. "Thanks, Lacey."
I make my way through the crowd, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, even while my mind is still on Lacey's smile and her soft touch.
Her smile is still there, on my brain, even when Marcus and Ryan join me, flashing their signature grins.
"Holy hell, you made it." Ryan claps me on the shoulder. "I was sure that somewhere between Seattle and New York, you would have parachuted out of the plane."
"I thought about it. More than once."
As we make our way to the open bar, Marcus leans in. "Seriously though, how are you holding up? I know you hate this sort of shit. And as team owner and technically the head honcho for this shin-dig, I know everyone expects you to say a few words."
I shrug. "It isn't a trip to Greece or anything. But I have Lacey and Grace with me, so that makes it easier."
Marcus nods understandingly. "Yeah, family always helps." He looks around the room, his eyes scanning the crowd before stopping. "By the way, I love how you conveniently left out that your new nanny would be looking like a smoke-show tonight. Jesus, Aidan."
I motion for the bartender. "Can we not talk about this right now?"
"Sure, we could. But we'd be the only ones." He glances over my shoulder. "Everyone here is checking her out."
I ignore the sudden warmth creeping up my collar. "Great, just what I need—my players ogling my nanny."
"Hey, take it as a compliment, man. You've got good taste."
"I didn't choose her based on her looks, remember?"
"Right. I'm sure you hiring her had nothing to do with the fact that she could also pass as a supermodel," Ryan chimes in, having joined our conversation.
He hands me a glass of champagne, and I raise it in a mock toast to Marcus and Ryan. "Thanks for reminding me why I hired you as my business partners. It's clearly not for your sensitive and tactful nature.”
Ryan laughs, throwing an arm around my shoulder. "Fine, fine. We won't keep teasing you about how you clearly have the hots for your new nanny. But I reserve the right to bring this up later when you're drunk and feeling sentimental. Then we'll really get some good material for our next business pitch."
"Anyway, bruh," Marcus nudges me, "don't listen to us. Do whatever you need to do to get ready for your little address to the crowd tonight. We'll take care of entertaining the guests for now."
"Thanks, guys." I blow out a breath. "As big of a pain in the ass as you can be,” I cough, “Ryan… I do appreciate it."
"Isn't that what I keep telling you? That's what we're here for. Damn, you don't listen," Ryan winks before turning to a group nearby and starting a conversation.
I take a sip of my champagne, allowing myself a moment of relaxation before diving back into the social whirlwind.
But then, I see her.
Lacey.
I glimpse her chatting animatedly with some guests, a surge of pride swelling in me. She mingles effortlessly, charming everyone she meets. Watching her place a bid for one of the turtle ties at the charity auction, I can't help but smile. Grace by her side, they're a striking duo.
Several reps for major fashion brands are already chatting her up.
There's no doubt they're falling for her bubbly personality and stunning looks.
The way that I've been falling for her since the moment she stepped into our home.
The thought makes the champagne on my tongue taste even sweeter. Possessiveness grips me by the goddamned balls.
The thought sweetens the champagne on my tongue. A fierce sense of possessiveness washes over me.
Part of me wants to join their conversation, but another part is content just watching her a bit longer.
