CHAPTER THREE

Alex’s POV

I still can’t believe she’s Will’s niece.

For a moment, when he walked into the office and called her honey, I nearly choked on my own tongue. Will has been married for five years, I was not prepared to see a gorgeous young woman in his office and hear him call her something that personal.

Thank God she’s his niece.

And then, just as quickly, disgust rolls through me from my own desire for her because…how old is she? She looked young, too young. And from the little I’ve heard about Will’s niece, I always imagined a kid in college, not…whatever that was.

“Celine? Your niece?” I ask once we’re finally alone. I can't believe we have never met, I have known Will since after college and we're practically family and his niece and nephew are a huge part of his life though they used to live with their mom who leaves in Florida.
“She’s the cybersecurity expert? Isn’t she still in school?”

Will chuckles.
“Yeah, she’s 25 years old. She still in school. Grad school. She’s working on her PhD thesis, cybersecurity focus. She’s brilliant, Alex.”

I blink.
Twenty-five is not a kid. But in the way Will talks about her protectively, proudly she still feels like kid.

“I always pictured her as a child when you talked about her and her brother,” I admit.

“She is a kid,” Will insists. “But she’s a kid who’s exceptionally smart.”

Exceptionally smart.

No argument there, what she did with our security breach was nothing short of genius. We will need an upgrade regarding our firm security.

And then there’s the other thing…

She’s stunning. Easily the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. My brain keeps replaying the image of her black leather skirt, boots, hair like gold silk. Red lipstick that I should never think about again.

I swallow hard and tip back the rest of my drink.

Get a grip, man.

Will watches me with that half-amused, half-concerned expression he reserves for when he thinks I’m losing my mind.

“Rough day?” he asks.

I blow out a long breath. “Don’t even get me started.”

His expression softens. “Jack?”

I groan. “He’s been acting out. I…I don’t know what to do with him anymore.”

“He probably misses his mom,” Will says gently.

“He refuses to talk about it,” I mutter, rubbing a hand through my hair for the thousandth time today. “Should I call her? Tell her what’s happening?”

Will raises a brow.
“And what would she say? Didn’t she make it clear in the new agreement that you’re the primary parent now?”

I nod. He’s right. Again.

“You should deal with this before involving her,” he adds.

I exhale. “I’m getting a nanny.”

Will gives me a look that’s half finally and half I told you so.
“Alex, I’ve been saying that since the divorce. You need help.”

“I have help. I have Claire. And you.”

He levels me with a stare.
“No. You need real, live-in help. Someone who’s there for him. You’re doing your best, but you’re stretched too thin and Jack feels that.”

He’s right again. Annoyingly right.

“I’ll start interviewing nannies this weekend.”

The weekend comes and goes.

A blur of polite smiles, forced small talk, and women who look like they stepped out of a Mary Poppins audition. None of them feel right.

Claire thinks I’m being unreasonable.

She tells me that again Monday morning when she walks into my office with Will behind her.

“Tell him he’s too picky,” Claire says, pointing at me like I’m a misbehaving child.

Will lifts his hands. “I need context first.”

“He can’t decide on a nanny,” Claire groans.

Before I can defend myself, her phone buzzes.
“Damn it, my deposition got moved up.” She grabs her bag. “Alex, pick someone. Please. Bye Will.”

Will shakes his head once she leaves. “What’s wrong with the candidates?”

“I haven’t met anyone I like,” I admit. “They’re all…fake Mary Poppins types. And they won’t work with Jack. He needs someone he can actually relate to.”

Will checks his watch.
“Who’s bringing Jack today?”

“Matthew. He should be here any minute.” I glance toward the door Mathew is the chauffeur. “I have one more meeting after this, then we’ll go home.”

“Alex, cancel the meeting,” Will says. “Spend time with your son.”

I shake my head.
“It’s with the Swedish government. We’ve already rescheduled twice.”

He sighs but doesn’t argue. Will handles the financial backbone of HawStone, I handle engineering operations. Neither of us can afford to slack.

A knock sounds and then Jack walks in with Matthew behind him.

“Hi Dad,” he says quietly.
“Hi Uncle Will.”

I lean down and kiss his head. “How was school?”

He shrugs. “Okay.”

“No trouble today?”

“I always behave.” He grins, and I can’t help the weak smile that slips out.

“I had Rachel order pizza,” I say. “I have one meeting left and then we’ll go home. You’ll hang with Uncle Will.”

Jack’s face brightens.
“Can I play games on my phone?”

He’s technically grounded, but…he’s been good today and I feel guilty he is waiting for me.

I sigh. “Go ahead.”

Will takes the pizza box. “We’ll be in my office.”

They leave, and I head toward the boardroom, rolling my shoulders back.

One more meeting.

Then I can go home to Jack.

And try not to think about a blonde cybersecurity genius who is absolutely off-limits.