Page 32 of Nanny for the Firefighter

My head naturally tilts to the side as I realize what Hudson is asking. He wants to use my house for the event. I know that the home he shares with Meredith isn’t massive, and I’m the one boasting the enormous backyard.

Still, I can’t help but be annoyed on Hudson’s behalf. His boss is asking for about eighty people to gather in a house for a “little shindig.” That’s way too many investors in one place if he’s trying to keep it chill.

“So, you want to…?”

I let the question hang, somehow hoping that Hudson would say something else and surprise me yet again.

“Use your huge backyard to host the party? Yes.” He raises his brows, making that damn puppy-dog face I’ve seen him use on his mother. “Would you be so kind as to let your oldest and dearest friend use your facilities for a work event that he never wanted to plan in the first place?”

“Hudson,” I level him with a stare, “we’re talking like eighty-some people, right? That’s way too many people for a house party.”

“I’m aware the headcount is too high. I’m working on cutting some of the departments that won’t want to travel this far for some work event, but you know how it is. Please?”

Hudson is laying it on thick, and before I know it, he’s on his knees in front of me, actually begging with his hands clasped together at his chest.

“I swear, if you do this for me, I’ll owe you for anything you want. No questions asked. Whatever you need. Please, Mason. You’re my only hope.”

I roll my eyes. It’s a familiar move of Hudson’s to quoteStar Wars, but dammit, it’s working. I can’t leave him hanging when his actual job is at stake.

“Fucking hell, man. Get up.” I help pull Hudson to his feet. “Okay, okay. You can use my place, but you better pay out the ass for a cleanup crew. And no smoking. It’s a damn fire hazard.”

Hudson nods emphatically, shaking my hand like I’ve just struck a deal with the devil.

“Of course. Totally. The place will be spotless. Like we never had a party.” He smiles, quickly moving away as he says, “So great. This weekend, then. I’ll give the caterers and event people your address.”

“This weekend?!” My brows shoot to my hairline. “Well, thanks for the notice, asshole. How am I supposed to find a place for Mia to stay in less than a week?”

“I know, I know. I mean, Bridget is around, and you know that Mia is more than welcome to stay with Xaden and his kid, Daisy. That’s where I’ll be sending Juniper for the evening. So he’ll be right next door, and so would Mia if you wanted.”

A heavy sigh leaves me, and I nod. “Well, I guess…fuck. Okay. At least I won’t be sticking her with a complete stranger. And Xaden’s helped before. Still, why aren’t you asking to use his house for your little party?”

“Xaden volunteered to watch Juniper before I could, and I did need somewhere for him to go, so…”

“Ugh, all right, all right. Juniper, Mia, and Daisy will be over at Xaden’s. They’ll have a blast.”

Hudson sags with relief.

“You are a lifesaver, Mason. I swear. I’ll have all the information sent over to you so that you can look at it, too.” Hudson glances at the clock. “But hey, I need to go. Another big meeting at the office. We’ll talk soon, okay?”

Work is calling for the both of us so I just offer him a quick shake as I clap him on the shoulder.

“Big time, my friend. You owe me big time.”

He grins, the guilt showing through, and makes for the door. “I do! Anything you need. As long as it’safterthe party.”

Hudson is out in a flash, and then I’m standing in the kitchen alone. I hang my head, exhaling long and hard as I scrub my hand over my face.

“You okay? I know Hudson sprung that on you pretty fast.”

I turn around to see Bridget coming down from Mia’s room. She offers me a sympathetic smile, and I can’t help but take in how she looks in those little jean shorts.

The hems are frayed, likely on purpose, and the smooth skin of her thighs is on full display.

There’s nothing special about the outfit she’s wearing, just another shorts and tank day to deal with the risingtemperatures. But for several moments, I can’t pry my eyes off her.

Stop this, Mason. Come on.

I swallow hard, trying to ignore this feeling I’ve been struggling with for days now, and it’s not working.

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