Nanny and the Alpha Daddy

#Chapter 48: Dinner Invitation

Moana

Edrick looked so peaceful as he slept in the armchair. His dark hair was illuminated by the soft glow of the city lights coming in through the window, and even from where I was laying on the couch I could see his chest gently rising and falling.

But almost as soon as I woke up, he woke up, too.

He awoke with a start, his icy gray eyes opening immediately as though he had never been sleeping to begin with. It really felt as though the only thing keeping him asleep was the fact that I was asleep; as soon as I awoke, it was as if a spell was broken for him and he was wide awake once more.

Our eyes locked for a long moment as he came to his senses.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Edrick abruptly stood. “Since you seem well enough now, you should go sleep in your own bed. It’s hardly appropriate for you to sleep on the couch.”

I couldn’t hide my frown as I sat up and pushed the blanket off of myself — the blanket that Edrick had apparently so lovingly tucked me into while I slept. I watched as he turned on his heel and headed toward his own bedroom, but his sudden harsh words had hurt me too much to let him go, and they hurt me even more now that I knew I was carrying his baby.

“Why do you have to be so cruel?” I asked, standing.

He stopped in his tracks, his back tense as he faced away from me.

but I don’t see why

several moments. Finally, he turned to face me. His eyes were narrowed and his jaw was clenched hard. “Friendly?” he said, his voice so low it was almost a growl. “What makes you think that we need to be friendly with each other? Have we not been over this enough times? I

eyes before Edrick saw them. “I think it’s reasonable not to be too involved in each other’s personal business, but what’s not reasonable is for you to treat me like I’m worthless every time

harsh, quick tone. “If I didn’t treat you like that, then

was taken aback by Edrick’s sudden choice of words. It seemed that he was, too, judging from the way his eyes widened momentarily after he said them. I opened my mouth to ask what he

in the middle of the living room as I stared at his bedroom door. I wanted to know what he meant, but it was no use now.

…

but it was still early. I slowly sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes, listening to the sound of a summer rain shower

had a missed call from Ethan.

I picked up my phone and opened

and warm voice such a stark contrast from Edrick’s cold and distant demeanor. “You can say no if you don’t want to or if you think that you-know-who might get too upset, but I’m going to be free this weekend and was wondering if you’d like to go out for dinner with me. I know a place that would be nice and private, so you wouldn’t have to worry about anything. Let me know what you

felt my face get hot and my heart start to race as I hung up my phone. I hadn’t seen Ethan since the night of his exhibit, when Edrick and I kissed and nearly slept together in the heat of an argument… And now, I was pregnant with Edrick’s baby; it surely wouldn’t be

admittedly left me feeling isolated, and this pregnancy — and the fact that I couldn’t confide in anyone about it — only added to that feeling. Right now, more than anything, I felt as though I needed the support of a

hand, wondering if I should call Ethan back, there was a sudden knock on the

“Come in,” I called.

at me. Ella’s hair was still messy from sleep, but her eyes were

better today, Moana?” Ella

was still going on