Chapter 12

Sloane’s cheeks heated, Jeremy’s words striking deeper than he could ever know. Be his aunt. And suddenly, unbidden, Dominic’s image flashed before her eyes. The memory of his shirt half-unbuttoned, his sculpted chest, the way his strength seemed to radiate even when he was weakened… Her stomach twisted, and she quickly shook the thought away, horrified at herself. “This… this cannot happen, Jeremy,” she said, forcing composure into her voice. But Jeremy only grinned, undeterred. “If it happens, you can be my aunt, and we can stay together forever!” His eyes sparkled with hope, childlike and pure. Her breath hitched when he added innocently, “You also brought me back on the flight when I was sick. So… maybe this is how I repay you.” Sloane’s chest tightened. She reached out and brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. “Jeremy… I did that because you were unwell. You don’t need to repay me for that.” His little face scrunched into a frown, his lips wobbling. “Then… then I can be your