Page 21 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Nanny

But as I glance at Sonya, catching the soft curve of her smile in the dim light, I can’t shake the feeling that this day off we’ve planned might be more than just a break from routine. It might be the moment when everything changes, when the lines we’ve drawn start to blur and the reality of what we’ve built together comes into sharper focus.

“Goodnight, Fiona,” Sonya whispers. She turns to leave, and for a second, I want to reach out, to keep her there with me just a little longer.

But I don’t. I let her go, watching as she disappears down the hall and into her room. The door clicks shut behind her, and I’m left standing in the quiet, wondering what the hell I’m doing.

Chapter 11 - Sonya

It’s a perfect day for a drive, with the sun bright but not too hot, the kind of early autumn day that feels like a treat after the sweltering summer. Jack’s at the wheel with one hand casually draped over the steering wheel while the other rests on the armrest between us. Fiona’s cooing happily in her car seat, and her tiny feet kick in time with some tune only she seems to hear as I watch the world blur by outside the window, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in my chest.

We’re headed to Jane and Reiner’s place, and I should be excited—Jane’s my best friend, and I haven’t seen her much since moving in with Jack. But all I can think about is how easily Jane reads me, how she always knows when something’s up, and I’m not sure I’m ready to explain why living with Jack has become… complicated. Not that anything’s happened—well, nothing I can’t pretend didn’t happen. But I can’t stop thinking about the way Jack looked at me the other night, that moment of almost-kiss between us.

“Hey, you good?” Jack’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I glance over to find him watching me out of the corner of his eye with a curious tilt to his lips. “You’ve been quiet.”

“Yeah, just… thinking,” I reply, forcing a smile that feels a little too tight. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen Jane. Looking forward to catching up.”

Jack nods, but there’s something knowing in his expression, like he’s picking up on the tension I’m trying so hard to hide. “She’s missed you. Reiner keeps telling me how she’s been complaining about me stealing her favorite brunch buddy.”

I laugh, and the sound is more genuine this time. “Well, it’s not like I’ve been having the time of my life babysitting you.”

Jack grins the easy, carefree smile that always manages to soften the sharp edges of my mood. “You know you love it. What’s not to like? Free food, free rent, and you get to hang out with this charming face every day.”

“Charming is a stretch,” I tease, though my cheeks warm under his playful gaze. “But Fiona’s a definite perk.”

Jack glances at Fiona in the rearview mirror, his smile softening in a way that tugs at something deep inside me. I’ve watched him with her, the way he’s always there to soothe her cries, the way he beams when she reaches for him, tiny fingers clutching at his shirt. It’s a side of Jack I never expected to see, and it’s messing with my perception of him in ways I’m not sure I’m ready to admit.

When we pull up to Jane and Reiner’s house, I’m out of the car before Jack’s even turned off the engine. I wave at Jane, who’s waiting on the porch with a wide, welcoming smile. She rushes down the steps to meet me, wrapping me in a hug that’s just a little too tight, but in the best way.

“About time you made it over here!” Jane says, pulling back to look me over like she’s checking for signs of wear and tear. “I swear, I was starting to think Jack had you locked up or something.”

“Very funny,” I reply, rolling my eyes but grinning. “I’ve just been busy. You know how it is.”

She laughs, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes—curiosity, maybe? Suspicion? It’s hard to tell with Jane. She’s got this knack for digging up secrets without even trying. “Busy with what, exactly? Because from what I hear, Jack’s got you playing house more than anything else.”

“It’s not like that,” I say quickly, but Jane’s smirk tells me she’s not buying it. “I’m just helping out with Fiona. Jack’s been working a lot, and someone’s gotta keep things from falling apart.”

“Right,” Jane says, drawing out the word like she’s savoring the taste of it. She nudges me playfully. “But you’ve gotta admit, it’s kind of cute, isn’t it? Jack playing daddy. Who would’ve thought?”

I glance back at Jack, who’s busy unbuckling Fiona from her car seat, cooing at her as she babbles back at him with wide, trusting eyes. It is cute, but that’s not something I’m ready to say out loud, not even to Jane. “Yeah, he’s… different with her,” I admit. “He’s trying, and she seems happy. That’s all that matters, right?”

Jane raises an eyebrow, and her smile turns sly. “You’re dodging, Sonya. Come on, spill. Is there something going on between you two?”

“No!” I protest a little too forcefully. “Jack’s the same arrogant guy he’s always been. We’re just coexisting, that’s all.”

Jane snorts. “Sure. And I’m the queen of England.”

I elbow her in the arm, but my laugh is half-hearted. “Seriously, Jane. It’s not like that. Jack and I… we don’t get along like that.”

“Like that?” Jane echoes, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, you’re saying there’s a way you do get along?”

I sigh, trying not to let her see the flush creeping up my neck. “I mean, we’re not at each other’s throats. We bicker, but it’s not… I don’t know. It’s not mean anymore.”

Jane studies me, and her teasing smile fades into something softer, more thoughtful. “You know, it’s okay if thingschange. People grow, even guys like Jack. And if he’s stepping up for Fiona, maybe he’s stepping up in other ways, too.”

I look away, my gaze landing on Jack as he finally makes his way over with Fiona in his arms, her tiny hand wrapped around his thumb. He looks so at ease with her, like this is exactly where he’s meant to be, and for a moment, I let myself believe it, too. But then I remember who Jack is—the playboy, the guy who never takes anything seriously—and I force myself to stay grounded.

“Maybe,” I say quietly, more to myself than to Jane. “But it’s Jack. He’s not… he’s not who I’d—”

Jane cuts me off with a knowing smile. “Not who you’d what? Settle down with? Fall for? Sonya, it’s okay to let your guard down. Not every guy is your ex.”

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