Page 1 of Nanny for the Firefighter

Prologue

Bridget

God, I hope I’m doing the right thing.

My back aches from packing the car, and when I turn around to check the house, I crash smack dab against a firm chest.

“Oof.”

Strong hands steady me on my feet, and then I hear, “Bridget, I…don’t think you should do this. I don’t like that guy.”

Mason?! What the hell…

“What are you doing here?” I stumble out, my heart hammering against my chest. “Aren’t you supposed to be with Hudson?”

Mason shakes off the collision, straightening his shirt with a frown.

“I was. But I wasn’t interested in sticking around to see him make out with Meredith. Besides, I…”

His words trail off, and as we hang there in the silence, I realize that Mason hasn’t backed up from catching my elbow with his grip. He’s so close, and my heart hammers against my ribs.

The car has officially been “Tetris” packed with boxes, and my spine tingles as thoughts churn.

You’re okay, Bridget. You want to do this—with Jai.

“Mason, you’re being ridiculous. I’m going.”

All the way to LA, in fact. A measly one thousand two hundred and seventy-six miles away.

Which will make it the farthest I’ve been away from home by one thousand two hundred and sixty miles.

The flare of annoyance that took over Mason’s features burns, mixed with an expression so stuffed up with disappointment that I consider whether my dad has come back from the grave to yell at me.

Nope, still just Mason.

My stomach clenches again, and I take my arm back, sidestepping around him to start for the house. Jai’s been on the phone for hours, and we need to go.

“Bridget, this isn’t right. I really think you’re making a mistake.”

“Well, it’s not your decision, is it?” I shake my head, trying to offer a slight smile. “I’ll be fine.”

“You don’t understand.” Mason spins around, interjecting himself into my path, so I have to stop. “I have a bad feeling about this guy. I’m wor?—”

I scoff, and part of me immediately regrets it. But I need to stick to my guns. Ineedto get going, or I’ll never leave this place and wind up trapped here like everyone else.

“You’re jealous, aren’t you?”

Shutting the car door, I try to step around Mason. Jai doesn’t like it when I make him wait.

“I’m sorry, but Jai has been…he’s been more persistent. He made it clear that he wanted to be with me. From the beginning.”

Hurt flares across Mason’s face, and I know I hit pretty low with that one. But it’s the truth, and we both know it.

Mason beat around the bush. He didn’tsay anythingfor ages, and we both missed that opportunity because of it.

Still, as he stands there, his hand on my bicep keeping me from leaving, my heart thuds all the harder. I can smell Mason’s crisp cologne, and the warmth of his skin on me is just too damn much.

Stepping closer, Mason slides his hand down my arm, taking my hand. He squeezes, and there is so much behind that unspoken gesture.

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