Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Sixteen

NICK'S POV

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Given it's six thirty and I want to get the hell out of here, I should be doing my work. But instead my eyes are glued to my phone screen as I watch the security cameras from my house. When Aris messaged me that he wasn't going to be home for another forty five minutes, I became suspicious. Not of him but of a situation I'm clearly not understanding.

But after my meeting that felt like it was dragging on for hours, I rushed to my desk to look at my phone to find that they were at home and dancing together. Elodie looked like she was bouncing off the walls. Little did I know the best part was yet to come.

The catwalks.

I've always known Elodie likes to be the centre of attention and show off that vibrant side of her but I didn't expect her to encourage Aris to pretend to strut down an imaginary runway. My daughter giggles and claps at him and then makes him do it all again, this time it's a little less awful but still tragic.

Elodie says something to him and then he takes her by the waist and hoists her up in the air. Her face lights up with pure joy and excitement, that laughter filling my house and making my heart so damn warm.

"Why the hell do you look like a creepy Cheshire cat?"

I jump out of my fucking skin, my phone slipping from my hand and bumping my desk. My eyes flick up to find Robyn entering my office without a care in the world. I stare her down, jaw tense. "Oh my God," I grumble. "I need to get a fucking lock because you don't understand the idea of privacy."

She hoists her thumb over her shoulder. "Your office door was wide open."

"Because most people have left by now."

"But I'm your assistant and you're not getting away from me that easily." Robyn flashes me a smile and crosses her arms over her chest. "Who was that?"

I scowl at her and pretend to get back to work, although I have no idea where I even left off. That's how distracted I've been. "Huh? No one."

She scoffs and the sound irritates me. "Don't play dumb. I saw that smile. I also know it's only reserved for your nanny."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I snap.

"Woah," she raises her hands in defence. "Only speaking the truth."

I pinch the bridge of my nose and lean back into my chair. "I was smiling at my daughter, okay?"

"In the hands of your nanny?"

"Oh my God," I groan out loud. "Robyn. Please go home, or I will."

When I meet her eyes I see the mischief laying there. She sure knows how to get a rise out of me and it's incredibly irritating. "Surprised you're not running out that door," she carries on, crossing her arms and leaning onto the edge of my desk.

I stare at her through narrowed eyes. "Did you have anything important to say? Or are you just here to waste my time, as usual."

"Actually," she nods her head. "Niamh called and she said she'd like to proceed with closing the deal next week. I've scheduled in a meeting, and she said she's more than happy to come into the office. It's sounding good, Nick. We've done some good work. This could really take the app places."

A hum falls from my lips. I guess that's true. "Thanks, Robyn. You can go home now."

Her mouth curls into a smile as she pushes off her desk. "See you tomorrow for more shenanigans."