Page 96 of Nanny for the Firefighter

Giving me the space to continue, Hudson blinks slowly, his jaw working as he clenches it tightly.

“I was a coward who couldn’t say how he was feeling, and I lost my chance with Bridget back then because of it. She met Jai, and because I still hadn’t said anything to her, she chose to go with him. Biggest regret of my fucking life.”

Hudson scoffs. “Your regret? Imagine how Bridget feels. It’s clear that Jai was more than just a dick, but she won’t open up about it.”

“I know. I hate the fact that my cowardice is part of what got Bridget into that situation.Trustme. It’s been on my mindconstantly because I can tell she’s still carrying a lot of shit because of him. She’s…scared.”

My best friend since childhood relaxes and sighs. As I let the silence sit for a moment, my head is overflowing with all the things I want to say and they all get caught on my tongue.

“Mason, I…you have to understand why I’m concerned. Bridgetjustdealt with a guy who treated her poorly. I can’t let that happen again.”

The insinuation isn’t rude, and I’m not angry with Hudson for wanting to protect his sister.

Still, something about the words finally gets me talking again, my feelings now bleeding out of me in a stream of conscious ramble that I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.

“I wouldneverhurt Bridget. She means the world to me. After the fire, when I wasn’t sure what was happening, all I wanted was to make it back to her and Mia. They’re my entire life. Being with Bridget is all I ever wanted, and when I couldn’t have it, I settled for someone who didn’t truly make me happy.”

My shoulders slump, and truth bubbles up to the surface and spills over.

“Part of me did love Jess, but I’ve never loved anyone the way I do Bridget. She’s it. I’ve known for ages, and I just want to start the life with her that should have begun five years ago. I want to ease her aches and keep her safe. I want to show her every day that she’s loved and appreciated for exactly who she is. I want to know that she never feels alone and hurt ever again because I’m there to keep her smiling. I want her to be the mother for Mia that my daughtershouldhave. I want to spend the rest of my life with Bridget.”

There’s a pregnant pause, and I’m left feeling a bit hollowed out from the confession. It’s not an unpleasant sensation, though.

I’m glad that I finally said all the things that have been rolling around in my head since the day of the fire, and if the first person who gets to hear it is Hudson, well, I just hope that it shows him how serious I am.

When Hudson still hasn’t said anything, I look up at him. Shocked is clearly an understatement, and I have to fight back a laugh, thanks to his flabbergasted expression.

“You love her?” he finally says.

“I do. I know that it might sound fast, but it’s not really. Not when you consider all of it.”

He regards me, looking for even the smallest nugget of deception. I know he won’t find it. I’m not lying.

“Well, shit.” He scoffs lightly, and it blends into a little chuckle. “Bridget is a grown woman who can make her own choices. I’m not about to pretend like what I think matters for a second. But…”

Hudson walks toward me, and I tense up, unsure what he’s going for.

But then he extends his hand with a grin, and I take it, shaking a few times before he pulls me in for a hug.

“If there’s anyone I trust with my sister’s happiness, it’s you.”

Relief coats me in warmth, and I sag against Hudson for a moment and then pull back.

As I smile at him, I lock eyes with my best friend. “I promise I’ll treat her right.”

“You better. Or I’ll kill you.” He shakes his head, and we laugh in unison. “But really, though? My sister? What are the odds?”

“I don’t know what to tell you.” I shrug. “She’s end game. I never thought I would see the day when I finally stopped waiting around for her and got the girl. But I am beyond thrilled that life has given me this chance.”

“Life is pretty weird sometimes.” Hudson nods, and then I gesture for the door.

“Do you want to go in? Talk to her?”

With an easy grin, Hudson steps forward. “Yeah, of course.”

I follow behind him as Hudson walks into the house and to the living room. Mia is there with Bridget, and as soon as the door closes behind me, Bridget looks over at us.

Standing up, Bridget faces her brother. “Hudson, look, I’m really?—”

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