Amelia's POVThe rest of the morning unfolded in a flurry of activity. Eddie managed to salvage some pancake batter, which we transformed into a passable (if slightly smoky-flavored) breakfast. Chloe, thrilled with the idea of a movie marathon, helped with decorating the living room with colorful blankets and plush toys. By the time we settled in on the couch, a mountain of popcorn nestled between us, Chloe snuggled between Eddie and me, the earlier tension had evaporated.As the opening credits of a Disney movie rolled on the screen, I found myself stealing a glance at Eddie. He was completely absorbed in the film, occasionally whispering funny commentary that made Chloe erupt in giggles. There was a tenderness in his expression, a genuine love for his daughter that warmed my heart. It was a side of him I hadn't seen often during our college days, when ambition had been his driving force.A pang shot through me, a reminder of the unspoken complications swirling beneath the surface of
Amelia's POV"Come in, come in," Eddie's voice boomed from behind me, snapping me out of my thoughts. He appeared in the doorway, looking momentarily surprised by the sight of me and Blair facing each other. "Blair, this is Amelia. My nanny, and… a friend."He seemed flustered, glancing between us like a man caught in the middle of a tug-of-war. Blair's smile returned, but it held a hint of smugness now."A nanny, huh?" she said, her voice laced with a meaning I couldn't quite decipher. "Well, how convenient to have childcare readily available."My blood ran cold. Was she implying something? Was there something more to her relationship with Eddie than just business? I felt a surge of anger, a bizarre mix of protectiveness and jealousy bubbling up inside me."Actually," I interrupted before I could say something I'd regret later. "It's my day off today. I was just leaving."Eddie's face fell. "But Amelia…" he began, his voice laced with disappointment. "We were just going to…""Another
Amelia's POVHis smile was wide and friendly."Excuse me," he began, his voice warm and inviting. "Couldn't help but notice you were all alone. Mind if I join you for a bit?"Hesitation flickered across me. The last thing I needed right now was unwanted company. Yet, his smile held a genuineness that was oddly disarming."Uh…" I stammered, unsure of what to say. "Actually, I'm waiting for someone." It wasn't entirely a lie. A part of me hoped Eddie might call, explain the situation with Blair.He raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Really? Because from where I'm standing, that coffee looks awfully lonely." He gestured to the empty seat opposite me. "Come on, give a guy a chance to brighten your day. The name's Ethan."Something about his easy confidence and playful demeanor chipped away at my resistance. The events of the morning felt heavy, and a small part of me craved a distraction, a brief escape from the swirling confusion in my head."Amelia," I replied, a hesitant
Amelia's POVThe warmth from his touch lingered on my fingertips as I handed his phone back. "There you go," I said, a lightness returning to my voice for the first time since the morning."Perfect," he grinned, pocketing his phone. "Now, how about I walk you home? It's getting dark, and frankly, the company wouldn't hurt."I looked up at the bright sky with the shining, warm sun hidden behind a cloud, shielding my gaze with one hand and turned back to look at him with a brow arched. He chuckled gently, a slight blush staining his cheeks. "I ran that line over and over again in my head to make sure that it was perfect and yet, I somehow missed that the time of the day was incorrect," he admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. I pondered for a moment. The thought of walking home alone with my swirling emotions wasn't particularly appealing. Besides, Eddie – Ethan, I reminded myself – seemed harmless enough."Sure," I agreed, rising from the booth. He he
Eddie's POVMy gaze darted from the closed door to Bianca, who sat perched on the edge of my desk, fiddling with a pen in her perfectly manicured hands. Her usual confident demeanor seemed to have evaporated, replaced by a mixture of apprehension and what appeared to be…defiance?A wave of anger washed over me, momentarily eclipsing the confusion that had been swirling in my gut."Bianca," I growled, my voice laced with steel. "What the hell was that?"Bianca looked up, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. "What do you mean, Eddie?" she purred, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness."Don't play dumb with me," I snapped, striding towards her. "You know exactly what I mean. Creeping all over me like that, in front of Amelia no less!"Bianca's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing her previously innocent facade. "Honestly, Eddie," she huffed, straightening her designer skirt. "You're overreacting. It was a friendly touch.""It wasn't friendly," I countered, my voi
Eddie's POV"It's not about what she has or doesn't have, Bianca," I sighed. "It's about the connection we share, the way we make each other feel.""And what about us?" she pressed, her voice trembling slightly. "Don't we have a connection, Eddie?""We have a friendship, a professional respect," I clarified, hoping to gently but firmly shut down any further misinterpretations. "But that's all it is, and that's all it will ever be."Bianca's lips formed a thin line, her jaw clenched tightly. The air crackled with unspoken tension, and I could practically feel the storm brewing within her."Look, Bianca," I said, trying a different approach. "I value you as a colleague, but this conversation is getting us nowhere. Perhaps it's best if you leave. I need some time to…process everything."It wasn't what I wanted to say, but I needed some space, some time to clear my head and disentangle the jumbled mess of emotions swirling inside me. The guilt over Amelia's hurt expression, the surprise o
Eddie's POVJust then, the clatter of the front door opening jolted me out of my brooding. I expected to see Chloe, perhaps thirsty after a long nap, but instead, I saw Amelia walking in, a small smile on her lips. She seemed to be lost in thoughts, not even knowing when I approached and leaned against the wall. "And where have you been?" I growled out.Amelia's POVThe unexpected question threw me off balance. I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing a semblance of calm into my voice. "Just went out for some air," I replied, my gaze flitting away from his accusatory stare.Eddie's frown deepened. "Air?"I needed a break," I countered, my voice firmer this time. The guilt that had been gnawing at me earlier was slowly morphing into irritation."A break from what?" he pressed, taking a step closer. His proximity was suffocating, amplifying the confusion and hurt swirling inside me."From everything," I said vaguely, refusing to elaborate. I didn't need to justify my actions to him,
Amelia's POVI had been sending mixed signals, clinging to a fragile hope while simultaneously pushing him away with the label of "employer-employee."His words, harsh as they were, carried an undeniable truth."I…" I stammered, searching for a defense that wouldn't crumble under the weight of his accusations. "Maybe… maybe you're right," I admitted reluctantly. "Perhaps I did send mixed signals."His blue eyes narrowed, searching my face. "Perhaps?" he echoed, his voice still laced with anger. "You were the one pulling away when things got intense, Amelia. You were the one who insisted on this strict employer-employee boundary."A wave of guilt washed over me. He was right again. Every time he'd tried to bridge the gap, I'd retreated, clinging to the fragile line I'd drawn to protect myself. Fear, a leftover from the painful ending of our past relationship, had held me back."I..." I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. The carefully constructed wall of anger that had shielded