Page 44 of Nanny for the Firefighter

Crossing the room, I head into the bathroom and go straight for the shower. I turn on the cold water, not warming it up much, and step under the chilly spray.

My overheated skin appreciates the cool water rushing over me, and I lean against the shower wall, letting it rain down over my back.

There’s just too much going on. Too much that’s different.

I repeat the thoughts over and over again to myself, and deep inside, I know I’m doing it because I’m trying to convince myself it’s true.

Watching Hudson and Meredith, I’ve seen how much two people can improve each other’s lives. I’ve seen how complications don’t stand in the way of two determined people.

But I’m also not sure Bridget and I are on the same wavelength about all that.

After I’ve scrubbed down, the medicine seems to be kicking in, and I go downstairs to grab myself a cup of coffee.

I’m thrilled that the cleaning crew really did keep up their end of the bargain, and I tidy up a few of the random items still hanging around as the pot brews.

Lord knows I’ll need that whole damn thing today.

The place is looking much more like normal when the coffee is ready, and I pour myself the biggest cup I can find in the house, sitting down at the island with it as it works its magic.

“Okay. You need to get Mia,” I grumble to myself.

I’ve got two massive cups of coffee in my system now—even a bit of toast to keep my stomach on the level—and the house looks good enough for government work, so I haul myself up out of the stool and head next door to get my little girl.

The walk next door takes less than a few minutes, and the early morning crisp in the air helps to clear my head even more.

I don’t see Hudson’s car in the driveway, so I have to assume he’s not here to get Juniper yet. Or hell, maybe he’s already come and gone, and I’m that far behind.

God, I hope not.

Giving a solid knock on the door, I wait for Xaden to answer, and when the door swings open, I can hear the giggles of several children mixing in the background.

“Hey, Mason,” Xaden smiles, but then it turns into more of a smirk as I wince at the sound of my own daughter shrieking with delight, “long night?”

I sigh, rolling my eyes with a frown. “Don’t get me started.”

“Haha. All right, all right. You won’t hear it from me. Come on in.”

Grateful for Xaden’s forgiving attitude, I follow him inside and see Juniper, Daisy, and Mia all playing something in a fort they’ve set up in the living room.

“Oh, well, at least I beat Hudson here. He never would have let me hear the end of it otherwise.”

Xaden chuckles, and after a moment, Mia sees me and perks up.

“Da! Da! Da!” She bounces up and down from what I can only guess is a little throne the others have made for her, and she points to herself. “Queen!”

“Nicely done!” I give her a broad grin, bowing. “Your majesty.”

Mia giggles and then goes back to playing as I follow Xaden into his kitchen and sit down at the table with him.

“Yeah, getting her out of there is going to be rough. I mean, would you want to abdicate your throne?”

Glancing over at Xaden, I nod with a long exhale. “No, I wouldn’t. You got me there. She can have a few more minutes.”

Patting me on the shoulder, Xaden gestures to the little pink bag Mia brought for the sleepover, which is parked near the door.

“She’s all packed when you’re ready to go.”

“Oh, wow. Thanks, man.”

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