Page 10 of Baby For My Ex's Brother

"Interesting good, or interesting 'I'm plotting my escape?’" Nadia knows me too well.

"Jury's still out," I admit. "Just trying to keep my head down for now."

"Come on, Shy. Spill it. I know there's something you're not saying." Nadia’s voice is warm but insistent, like she can see right through the phone line.

I sigh, my fingers tracing the edge of the futon absentmindedly. "It's... well, it's good money," I start, the words feeling heavy on my tongue. "Never really saw myself as someone's PA, but it'll help pay the bills."

There's a pause, and I can practically hear Nadia's eyebrows rising in suspicion. "Shiloh Sanders, since when do you settle for 'it'll pay the bills'? You're the most ambitious person I know."

"Things change, Nads," I say, trying to keep the bitterness from seeping into my voice. "We can't all gallivant around the world living our dreams."

"Shiloh..." Her tone softens, and she is full of concern now. "What's going on? Is it Chris?"

The question hangs between us, and I feel the weight of the secret I've been keeping. I take a deep breath, my heart racing despite my resolve to remain detached.

"My boss is Chris's older brother, Liam," I confess, the name feeling like a betrayal as it passes my lips.

"Wait, Liam? The one who—" her voice cuts short with realization.

"Yep, that Liam. The Thanksgiving incident Liam," I confirm, my stomach twisting into knots.

"Wow. That's... wow." Nadia's surprise is evident, and for a moment, the silence stretches out uncomfortably.

"Yeah, 'wow' is one way to put it," I mutter, flopping back onto the futon, staring at the ceiling.

"Did... did anything happen between you two? Any remaining sparks?" Nadia's voice is laced with curiosity, but also a hint of something else—perhaps hope for some juicy details that might take the edge off my current misery.

"Sparks?" The word feels like a joke as it leaves my mouth. I let out a huff of disbelief.

"If by sparks you mean him being a total ass, then sure." I sit up, suddenly too agitated to stay still, pacing the small confines of the guest room. "He put me on notice first thing, said he needs to see if I have any work ethic."

"Seriously? What a jerk!" There's indignation in Nadia's voice, and I'm grateful for it.

"Yep, seriously," I reply, the anger giving way to exhaustion. "So much for workplace pleasantries, right? It's like he forgot that kiss ever happened. Or maybe he didn’t, and that's exactly the problem."

"Shiloh," she says, her tone earnest, "you're better than that guy. Don't let him get to you."

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one dealing with him every day." I stop pacing and take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.

"Listen to me," Nadia's firm, almost commanding voice says. “You stay strong, okay? It's just a year. You can handle this, Shiloh. And then, when it's over, you can go after grad school again. Get out of that place. I’m sure you’ll get into Trinity, then we can live out our Dublin dreams together."

I let myself smile, shaking my head. “You digging up old bones and me telling the world about the classics?”

"Exactly!" she exclaims, and I can hear the smile in her voice. "You have a plan, girl. You're going to get through this. Just hang in there."

"Thanks, Nadia. I hope you're right." My voice is barely above a whisper, choked with the emotion that's been threatening to spill over all day.

"Of course, I'm right," Nadia says with a chuckle, but her laughter doesn't quite mask the concern lacing her words. "And don’t you dare forget it."

With a small sigh, I reply, "I won't."

"Good. Now, go rest or something. You sound like you need to relax."

"Will do. Talk soon?"

"Absolutely. Love you, Shy."

"Love you too, Nads." I end the call and let my phone drop to the futon beside me, staring at the ceiling.

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