Blame It on Paris

Anelise rushed through the crowded airport, weaving between travelers with her heart pounding in her chest.

The thought of missing her flight and losing her chance to spend the summer in Europe as a nanny was unbearable. She was going to be fired before she even started!

Her suitcase wheels rattled as she sprinted through the terminal.

Her eyes locked onto the gate just ahead, relief flooding through her as she closed in.

But then she caught her toe on a roller bag and pitched forward, a startled gasp leaving her lips as she flew through the air.

Before she could hit the ground, a pair of strong arms swept her up, holding her firmly against a broad chest.

She lifted her gaze to the man who had caught her, and for a breathless moment the chaos of the terminal melted away.

He was tall—at least six foot four—with striking green eyes and brown hair with a light sprinkling of gray.

He wore a navy suit with a white shirt underneath, unbuttoned enough to show a hint of chest.

“You okay?” he asked.

Unable to speak, she just nodded.

They stared at each other for what felt like forever.

It felt like something straight out of a movie—the run, the fall, being saved by an unbelievably handsome man.

Was this her meeting the love of her life?

But, as her mind caught up with her racing pulse, recognition struck like a jolt.

The stranger holding her wasn’t a stranger at all—it was her new boss.

And her dad’s best friend.

Michael held the woman in his arms, stunned as he took in her beauty.

Her deep red hair was pulled back into a long, thick braid that managed to look both practical and effortlessly stylish, the vibrant color catching the airport lights.

Her striking eyes were wide with surprise, fringed by lashes that seemed to flutter against her fair skin.

She wore sleek black jeans that fit her perfectly, and blue Converse sneakers that playfully matched the soft knit of her sweater.

As he held her, he could feel the subtle curve of muscle beneath soft fabric, hinting at both fitness and femininity.

It was as though she had been crafted with him in mind, every detail aligning uncannily with the image of a woman he’d been dreaming of.

For a long, suspended heartbeat, neither of them knew what to say, caught in the charged silence as they gazed at one another.

“Mr. Whitlock?” Anelise said.

He blinked, taken aback that she knew who he was.

“Yes, I’m Michael Whitlock. How did you know?”

“I’m Anelise. Neil’s daughter and your new nanny.”

He was utterly stunned, words catching in his throat.

The last time he saw Anelise, she was an eleven-year-old chubby little bookworm whose nose was always buried deep in a book.

He’d even seen pictures of her in high school, and not much had changed.

But a lot had changed in the last few years while she was at college, it seemed.

She’d blossomed into one of the most gorgeous women he’d ever seen.

“Um, you can put me down if you like,” she said shyly.

Heat rushed to his face as he realized he was still holding her.

Not just holding her, but embracing her, almost intimately.

“Of course, of course!” he said as he set her back on her feet.

Anelise dropped her gaze, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear in an attempt to compose herself.

Michael stepped back, his movements measured but his eyes still fixed on her.

She bit her lip, gave him an apologetic smile, and murmured, “I’m so sorry for being late.”

“No problem at all,” Michael said with a relieved smile.

“You’re saving my ass by coming to nanny this summer. I was in real trouble when my old nanny, Kathy, quit suddenly and ran off to Vegas to get married.”

“It’s no problem at all,” Anelise said warmly. “My dad told me the trouble you were in and I was happy to help. I’m excited to go to Europe - it's so perfect for my English literature thesis. Plus, I love kids. Speaking of which… can I meet Ollie, sir?”

“Please call me Michael, Anelise,” he said with a chuckle.

“And please call me Ani. No one calls me Anelise except for my parents,” she said, wrinkling her nose.

Michael took note of the tone in her voice and realized he’d need to figure out what was going on with her parents.

When Michael talked to Neil, he always spoke proudly of his daughter, but he complained a lot about how she didn’t come home to visit during the holidays. His wife Kim especially hated that.

During her high school years, they sent Anelise away to boarding school.

Michael wondered if that built-up resentment?

“Ani it is.” He gestured with an open hand toward the men behind him. “Come meet the crew.”

She looked up to find two men staring at her.

“This is my best friend, Craig Johnson, a company lawyer and Ollie’s godfather, and Ken Banks, who handles HR and labor laws,” Michael said.

He then scooped up Ollie. “And this is Ollie. Ollie, buddy, this is Anelise. She’s going to hang out with you while Daddy’s at work.”

Ollie was a charmer, and Anelise was instantly smitten.

He had big brown eyes that sparkled, short, light brown hair, and a mischievous grin that melted her heart.

“Hi, Ollie. I’m Ani,” she said softly, and Michael felt Ollie lean toward her.

“Hi, Ani!”

Michael set Ollie down and crouched next to him.

“Why don’t you show Ani what toys you’ve got in your backpack?”

Ollie grabbed Ani’s hand and pulled her over by the windows where there was room to lay out his treasures.

Anelise kneeled next to Ollie and began talking with him softly about each one.

Craig let out a low whistle and said, “That’s the nanny?”

Michael nodded slowly, still shell-shocked.

Ken leaned in, eyebrows raised, and whispered to Michael, “You said she was some nerdy bookworm, someone you’d barely notice. Um, every man in the airport noticed her.”

“She’s not what I was expecting at all!” Michael admitted, his heart pounding in his chest.

“She’s changed… a lot.”

“Don’t tell HR I said this, but she’s a smoke show.” Ken whispered.

“You’re sharing a hotel suite with her, right?” Craig snickered. “How are you going to get any work done? Mikey, you are so screwed,”

“Nothing will happen,” Michael huffed irritably. “I’m old enough to be her father. She’s just here to watch Ollie.”

Craig pointed at Ollie, happily playing with Anelise, and said, “Your son seems to have taken a shine to her. Just like his dad!”

Ken tried to stifle a laugh, but it came out as a cough.

Michael shot him a glare and managed to say, “It looks like she’s great with kids.”

Craig was still smiling. “That’s the least of your problems, buddy.”

Michael shook his head and walked away, trying to shake off the heat rising in his cheeks.

He couldn’t admit that they were right.

This summer wasn’t just going to be challenging—it was going to test every ounce of his self-control.

It wasn’t just her looks.

They’d had a few conversations on the phone and there was something about her voice.

It was soft but confident, with a melodic lilt that lingered long after they hung up.

She was so mature—thoughtful, articulate, with a dry wit that caught him off guard.

Every time they spoke, he found himself looking forward to the next call a little more than he should have.

And that was before he knew she looked like THIS.

“Looks like you two are having a blast over here,” Michael said as he approached them.

Anelise looked up, her eyes warm.

“He’s such a sweet little guy. So curious and bright. You’ve raised a wonderful kid.”

“Thank you,” Michael said. “Ollie, should we go potty?”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to take him, Michael?”

“No, it’s okay, I’ve got this one. Don’t worry, there will be plenty more on the long flight! We’ll be right back.”

Anelise watched Michael walk off holding Ollie’s tiny hand, and her heart gave a little flutter she wasn’t prepared for.

It wasn’t just that he was handsome, it was seeing a man so gentle with a child.

Her lips parted slightly, and she exhaled.

God help her, fatherhood looked insanely good on him.

Leslie, her roommate and best friend, had said she was going to fall in love with her boss this summer, and she’d shaken it off.

But she hadn’t known what a silver fox he was.

While they were gone, Anelise sent a text to Leslie.

Heat flooded her face with embarrassment and something far more dangerous.

A hope that Leslie was right.