Page 69 of Nanny for the Firefighter

And I remember when I almost ruined this future forever.

“Mason, you can’t look at me like that. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

He glares as Jai walks back over toward the makeshift bar that’s been set up in Kendra’s apartment. The party is loud and raucous and very much not where I want to be.

“Jai? Are you serious? That guy is trouble.”

“He’s not, Mason. Come on. You just don’t like him because his parents have money. Besides, I’m an adult. I can make my own decisions.”

Alcohol burns in my throat, and I know that it’s making me meaner than I would usually be.

“It has nothing to do with that. I’ve seen what he’s like, Bridget. Jai flirts with anything that moves. He’s leading you on.”

I scoff, an itch of truth crawling on my skin that makes me feel defensive and hurt.

“At least he’s trying to lead me at all. I…Mason, I’ve been here. After winter break, I thought that maybe…you never said anything to me, though. If you’re not interested, I’m going to be with someone who is.”

Mason steps forward, glaring so hard that I can see the tension in his jaw despite the crappy lighting.

“Ineversaid that, Bridget. I…I…”

“You what, Mason?”

I raise my brows at him, challenging him to actually say something this time. We fucking kissed between semesters, and then he ghosted me.

I don’t know what he expected.

“I’m here, Bridget. Right now.”

That’s as close as it’s going to get from him. And it’s not bad, but…

“It’s too late, Mason. It’s just…it’s too late.”

Sorrow floods his eyes, and my chest fucking cracks in half. But it’s done.

Spinning on my heel, I leave to find Jai at the bar. I’m going to need at least two more drinks to get through this night.

Blinking back the memory and sting of hurt that’s years past, I shake myself. I’m not doing that again.

This is what I should have fought harder for back then, and I know—I know—that if I don’t step up to the plate this time, we’ll never have this chance again.

And I don’t want that.

Despite the past and my ex and the complications, there is nothing I want more in this world than to be with Mason.

Putting my hands over his where Mason cradles my face, I smile up at him.

“Then don’t.” He grins back at me, beaming and all-consuming and so fucking beautiful. “Don’t stay away, and don’t fight it. Stay. Be with me. Because all I want is to be with you.”

“Done.”

Mason yanks me against him, crashing his lips against me even harder this time. I give myself over to it, not caring in the slightest about the coffee on the counter waiting for me, the liveswe have waiting for us outside the kitchen, or anything else for that matter.

Because I’ve got Mason in my arms, truly with me—finally.

TWENTY

Bridget

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