Page 29 of Nanny for the Firefighter

I grin, sitting next to my mom and digging into the eggs because I am definitely hungry now.

“No wonder Mason wants you working for him.” She laughs, and I force a nod.

Want seems like a strong word, and I know what I’m doing isn’t that special. I’m sure he could find another nanny to help him.

Mason just feels sorry for me—which is spectacular.

“So, how’s it going anyway? You’ve been Mason’s nanny for just about a week. Good?”

“Oh, it’s fine, Mom. Most of the time, Mason just comes home exhausted and late. It’s not like an office, you know? I’m not standing around to chat. I have you to get back to.”

She scoffs, waving me off. “Pfft. That’s a bunch of baloney. It wouldn’t do me any harm if you took an extra ten minutes to talk to the man.”

I offer her a laugh, but my mind circles back to the evenings I’ve spent with Mason.

It’s true that we don’t talk much when he gets home. Mia is usually all ready for bed when he arrives, and after putting her down together…

Oh, be honest with yourself, Bridget. You just stand there and stare at each other.

I can see him in my mind’s eye, doing that damn thing with his tie and narrowing his eyes on me. I don’t know if he’s felt it, too, but every second around him is like standing next to a furnace.

It’s so warm, and you want to reach out and touch the radiating bends of metal. But going that direction with Mason would have the same results.

I’d just get burned, and I’m not looking for any more heartbreak, thank you very much.

Still, there’s that look in his eyes. The one that hits me like lightning, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s fighting to hold back.

“He’s my boss, Mom. It’s not like we’re close anymore. Trust me. I’m all about being there for Mia.”

Which is true. It just also happens to be true that seeing Mason with his daughter…doessomething to me.

They’re so charming together, and seeing Mason as a father immediately sends my head to the past.

I’ve regretted my life with Jai for a while now, but nothing makes it hit harder than watching Mason play with Mia.

He’s an incredible father. Probably an incredible husband, too.

But there is absolutely no time for that and no place, either. Mason has his daughter to think of, and I have Jai.

“Oh, nonsense,” Mother adds, taking her last bite of eggs and swallowing down two of her five pills.

I cock a brow. “Excuse me?”

“Mason is right here, honey. And you can be all about Mia and still be interested in the man.”

My mouth falls open, and Mom sees fit to fill the gaping silence with more of her unique “insights.”

“You should give it another go with him. I know you two had something cooking before you met Jai. And you know what I say? There’s no time like the present.”

“Mother!” My eyes flare as my brows shoot up. “You’re honestly suggesting that I make a move on my boss. On Hudson’s best friend? What would he think? It’s not like he knows about…all that stuff.”

My mom just shrugs, and I shake my head, taking my coffee cup and holding it right in front of my mouth without drinking.

“Besides,” I finally take a sip, “I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying in Red Lodge. I’m here to help you, but you’ll get better. Then what? I can’t do that to Mia or Mason. It’s…it’s not the right time.”

Mom just offers another of her patented scoffs and finishes taking her pills. When she meets my eyes again, there’s the gleam of classic Bev mischief behind her baby blues that look so much like mine.

“Timing is rarely right. You think everything worked peachy keen with your father?” She raises her brows at me. “And need I remind you that you shoved your way into our lives when your dad was supposed to be shooting blanks.”

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