Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Kellan, that’s a rather ominous-sounding name. I guess I have to get through meeting him before he decides if I’m up to par to meet his niece. It’s smart, and I understand that.
I follow Edith down a long hallway. At the end, I see giant double doors that are standing open. They are imposing all on their own, and I’m guessing that’s Kellan’s office.
On the way, a small girl pops her head out of one of the side offices. She’s got the prettiest red hair, and her blue eyes go to Edith before they slide over to me. They widen before a beautiful smile takes over her face.
“Is this her?” she asks, stepping out into the hallway.
Edith pauses to answer her. “Yes, this is Nova.”
“Nova? Like a star?”
“I have been known to shine every now and then,” I tell her. “What’s your name, princess?”
“Aurora.”
“So I nailed it with the princess.”
“Aurora is a princess?” Her little nose scrunches.
“I mean, you’re clearly a princess in your own right. And likely on your way to being a queen, but yes. Aurora is the princess from Sleeping Beauty.”
“And you think I look like her?”
“Well, not exactly the same,” I tell her before doing a dramatic glance around like I don’t want anyone to overhear us. Then I lean down a little closer. “You’re prettier. I think it’s the freckles.”
Aurora reaches up, touching her cheekbones where they are sprinkled across. “You think freckles are pretty?” She sounds skeptical.
“Absolutely. Do you know people draw them on with makeup? I’ve been in love with freckles forever. They remind me of star constellations.”
"You have a few," she points out.
"I have a couple, but not as many as you do. I'm jealous."
"You can draw them on, like you said," Aurora suggests.
"I'm not that great with makeup."
"I've never used it before, but I'm good at drawing. That's kinda close, right?"
"Closer than me," I laugh.
"You want to see some of my drawings?"
I glance over to Edith, not wanting to put her in a bad spot.
"I actually need to chat with your uncle first,” I tell Aurora. “If I have time afterwards, I would love to see them."
"I'll come with you. I already told him I wanted him there when we met."
Crap, I think he meant after he gave me a once-over.
"Aurora," a deep voice calls out. It’s unexpected and makes all of us turn our attention to a very tall man in a suit headed our way. He appears agitated.
Aurora glances down before lifting her chin, making me wonder if these two knew each other at all before the passing of her parents. I'm shit with reading adults, but kids show so much in their expressions and movements. I could be wrong, but I'm getting the feeling that this is all still very new.
“Can I show Nova my drawing?” she asks him as he draws closer to us.
His dark eyes flick up and down my body, and I’m sure he’s disappointed I’m so underdressed. I’m a freaking nanny, so my bright pink sweater with the silver sequined snowman seems like the proper uniform. I tossed on a pair of jeans and fuzzy winter boots since my toes get cold easily.
"I need to have a moment alone with Ms. Galloway."
"Call me Nova," I say with a smile, but he does not return it. In fact, his brows furrow together, turning his handsome face into a grumpy one.
Like this building, he too is modern and put together in his crisp suit. I bet his home and office have a place for everything. Having a kid come in and try to meld into that can't be easy for someone like him. With a baby you have more control with the space, but as they grow, they wear you down so you don’t care so much about everything being pristine.
“Nova, like stars,” Aurora tells him. “Why do you need a moment alone? You said we’d meet her together.”
"How about we go see about getting a snack?" Edith suggests.
"A snack? I'm ten; I know you're trying to distract me,” Aurora says, and I have to suppress a laugh. "I don't understand why you have to talk to her alone. It's me that she's hanging out with."
"Sometimes adults have to talk about boring things," I tell her and roll my eyes playfully. "You don't want to bore yourself with that. You can draw me something while I speak with your uncle." I try to turn the conversation around for them, but Aurora still appears skeptical.
"Fine,” she eventually agrees, and her little shoulders drop. "I like her." She points that comment right at her uncle. "She has cool nails too."
I glance down at my multicolor nails and grin at Aurora. “Why have boring nails when they can look like this?” Now she's smiling again.
“Aurora.” Kellan’s tone is a little gentler than before. “I only need to speak to her for a few moments.”