Page 95 of Nanny for the Firefighter

“Tea party!”

Giving her a grin—because who wouldn’t smile at that sweet little face—I nod and follow her over to the circle of stuffies and tea cups.

“Sure thing, Mia. Let’s have some tea.”

Keeping myself distracted takes quite a bit of effort, and I’m on edge as I wait for one of the guys to come back into the house.

I silently beg for Mason to be able to make Hudson see reason.

It’s the twenty-first century, after all. We should be way past this silly dating my brother’s friend nonsense.

Shaking myself, I realize that I’m trying to defend myself, and while I might have a point, I know that Hudson has every reason to be upset.

I just…I don’t want Hudson to be upset. I want it to be the three of us again—like it was when we were younger.

Just with Mason and I a little closer than before. Okay, a lot closer.

Mia pours me a fake cup of tea, and I refocus on her. There’s nothing more that I can do right now.

I just have to wait.

TWENTY-NINE

Mason

I catch the door as Hudson hurries to get out of my house, my stomach churning. Talk about “breaking” it to the guy.

This is not what I had in mind for the reveal, and I know Bridget is freaking out. I mean, the guy’s her brother,andshe just got back into town.

Hudson usually seems so level-headed about things, too. I’m surprised that he’s taking the newsthishard.

Still, I’m sure it doesn’t feel good to be kept in the dark.

“Hudson, please wait.”

His steps freeze, and I watch him take a deep breath, his back to me and the tree swaying in the breeze in the distance.

“How long, Mason? How long have you been fucking my sister?”

The words hit me like a slap, and it takes everything to keep my cool.He’s just pissed. Come on. Be the bigger person.

“A few weeks. We both tried to ignore our feelings for a while, but we just couldn’t.”

Hudson whips around to face me, the anger on his face unmistakable and thickening the air with an invisible tension.

“So, what? You just jumped right into bed with her? I know she hasn’t said much, but I know Bridget is coming off a bad relationship. If you think I’m going to?—”

“Hey,” I raise my hands in surrender, “I know she’s dealing with a shitty ex. I’m not here to be that guy. Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t notice more earlier. I’ve had a thing for Bridget since we were teens.”

Jaw dropping, Hudson stares at me before crossing his arms over his chest. “Explain.”

I sigh. I never thought I’d have to give up the details about that night to anyone, let alone Hudson, but here we are.

“Five years ago, before she left with Jai. Bridget and I…almost had something. It was a party you were throwing, and we both got a little drunk. We kissed, fooled around some, but we both put on the breaks before it went farther.”

Hudson looks beyond shocked, and since he’s being so quiet, I take the opportunity to come completely clean.

“I didn’t say anything to her about it afterward, I wanted to pretend like it didn’t happen because I was embarrassed and…well, I was fucking scared. I didn’t know what it meant to be attracted to her, and I couldn’t see how that was supposed to play out.”

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