I felt my cheeks go nuclear again as Miller’s eyes met mine. “Here, sweetie,” he said with a quick wink.
Guys and their winking. It shouldn’t fluster me, but it did. “Thank you.”
“What did you wish for?” Miller leaned my way, so his low, rumbly words were for my ears only.
“Can’t tell.” I swooped my finger through the snowy white icing and delivered the dollop to my mouth. Oh, Frannie’s cakes were heaven. “Maybe a boss with an open mind.”
“Your boss is…” Miller’s attention followed the movement of my hand, his gaze zeroing in on my lips.
The air around us shifted, and I could all but hear my heart say,Look away, Hattie. Repel Miller’s enigmatic force. I mean, come on. I’d sat by Miller a thousand times in my life. Tonight shouldn’t feel any different. “My boss is what?”
Miller pulled his focus back to my eyes, holding there for a moment before finally answering. “Practical.”
Little Poppy chose that moment to poke her head around her uncle’s strong arm. “Uncle Miller?”
“Yes, sweetheart?” He straightened and smiled, as if he hadn’t momentarily stunted my very heartbeat.
The cherubic girl batted her lashes. “If you’re not gonna eat that cake, can I have it?”
“Don’t even think about it.” He then made a play for her dessert causing the girl to dissolve into giggles.
I returned my attention to my plate, only to feel a heavy stare from my other side.
Olivia sat back in her chair and watched me with interest. “So, Hattie, any more fun changes up your sleeve?”
She knew my every plan, so why was she even asking? “It will be hard to top a move, a new job, and a party, but I thought I might get wild and crazy and get my legs waxed this week.”
Beside me Miller choked on his cake.
“I was thinking more in the line of big life decisions.” Olivia picked up her fork and pointed it at me. “It would be a perfect time to return to dating. Kick it off tonight perhaps.”
As far as party entertainment went, this conversation was a zero on the fun scale. “That’s a terrible idea.”
Now Rosie tuned in. “Hattie’s ready to date?”
“I’m definitely not—”
“Hattie’s ready to date!” Rosie high-fived my cousin beside her.
Frannie gasped and clapped her hands at that declaration. “This is so exciting!”
Sylvie held up her glass in a salute. “Way to get back on the horse.”
“There’s no horse.” I shook my head vehemently.
“Oh, there’s a horse,” my grandmother said.
Frannie cut her eyes in Miller’s direction. “A stallion, I’d say.”
Oh, good Lord. “Can someone pass me another piece of cake?” The room had dissolved into an instant conversation explosion, loud and chaotic. It was probably scaring the children. “A corner piece? That slice with my name on it? A few crumbs?Anyone?”
Olivia turned toward me, her intensity dialed up to ten. “How about you put us in charge of finding your date for Jasmine’s wedding…or your Mr. Forever.”
What? How did we get here? “I can find my own date. And I’m done looking for Mr. Forever. I’ll be busy with work and…” I struggled to fill in more blanks. “Sylvie and Frannie’s book club.”
“You’re joining us?” My grandmother’s face lit with delight. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. I’ll get you the copy of our next read.The Billionaire’s Alien Nanny. You’re gonna love it.” My grandmother shifted her focus to Olivia. “Where are you gonna find this new beau? From one of your clients, Olivia?”
“We’re not finding me another boyfriend,” I protested.
