Page 45 of Nanny for the Firefighter

Xaden waves me off. “Eh, it’s no big. The morning has been a bit crazy, but Mia actually helped pack her stuff. She’s a good little helper.”

“Aww. Yeah, she can be.”

Leaning back in the chair, I watch the kids play for a moment, Xaden enjoying the spectacle as much as I am.

“So,” he cuts in, “how was the party?”

I shrug, rubbing the back of my neck as the unfortunate embarrassment starts to swell in my blood.

“Well, from what I can remember, it was great.”

Letting out a stifled chuckle, Xaden tries to fight back the massive grin threatening to break through and claps me on the shoulder again.

“Oof, buddy. Did someone need a bit of a break?”

Resigning myself to the truth, I offer a nod, sagging into my chair. “Yeah, I guess so. Thanks again for watching Mia. Apparently, I was putting off a night to myself a bit more than I thought. Though, I’m still not sure it was a good thing I was left unattended with a bottle of whiskey.”

We both chuckle, and I can see the look of understanding and sympathy in Xaden’s eyes. With a nod, I point in Daisy’s direction.

“If you ever need a night off, I owe you. So bring Daisy right on over. I know Mia will be happy to see her.”

Xaden offers his charming smile, looking over at his daughter as she plays.

“Thank you. I’ll definitely keep that in mind. I love her to death but it would definitely be nice to have a night to be a grownup.”

He refocuses on me, gesturing with his chin.

“How’s it going for you? New nanny working out okay?”

My throat tightens as I remember our kiss and the assload of complications that I’ve just dumped into my working relationship with Bridget.

“Umm…Bridget is a great nanny. Mia adores her, and I know that I’m helping her get on her feet while her car is being repaired and her mom is sick.”

Leveling me with a stare, Xaden cocks a brow. “That all sounds good on paper. But why do you look like someone pissed in your coffee?”

It’s times like this that I wish Xadendidn’tknow me so well. Or Hudson, for that matter.

“It’s just…complicated. Bridget and I…well, there was some stuff when we were younger.”

“That’s right.” Xaden’s brows raise. “Didn’t you say you had a thing for her when you were teens?”

I nod. “Yeah, a bit. I never really…well, hell. I never really stopped thinking about her. Now that she’s back in town…I don’t know. Bridget seems different—nervous. I want to help with all that, but Bridget is Mia’s nanny. I’m her boss. We’re not together.”

“Are you not together just because of that? Because honestly, there’s a pretty simple solution to that one.”

Xaden tilts his head at me, and it doesn’t take a genius to know he’s suggesting just making things official with Bridget.

At least take her on an actual date.

“I mean, no. There’s also the fact that Bridget’s been gone for years, she still left town with her ex after I’d told her I didn’t like the guy, and she doesn’t seem to be planning on sticking around once her mother’s health stabilizes.”

“Oof.” Xaden pats me on the shoulder again, nodding slowly. “That’s definitely some stuff. Still, if she had areasonto stay…”

He lets the words hang, insinuating that I should actually tell Bridget how I feel. Again, I internally kick myself for last night.

Dealing with all the feelings Bridget’s return had dredged up is something I wasn’t prepared for, and now I’ve gone and kissed her.

I can also dimly recall her fleeing the room upset, so I have a feeling we’re still not on the same page with each other.

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