Page 26 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Nanny

I turn away from Jack, swiping at the stray tear that’s escaped, and take a deep breath, trying to steady myself before I face my friends. “Thank God,” I mutter under my breath, heading for the door.

Jack stays behind, and I don’t look back. I can’t. Not when I’m hanging on by a thread.

Jane greets me with a big smile, but it falters when she catches sight of my expression. “Whoa, what’s going on in there?” she asks, her eyes darting to the house. “Did I miss something?”

“Just… had a bit of a disagreement,” I explain vaguely, forcing a smile that feels all wrong. “Nothing to worry about.”

Piper raises an eyebrow, glancing between me and Jane. “You sure? Because it looks like you were about to throw down.”

“It’s fine,” I insist, though the tightness in my chest tells me otherwise. “Let’s just go inside.”

As we step into the living room, Jack is already halfway out the door, muttering something about meeting up with Reiner. He barely spares us a glance, and I’m grateful for the quick exit. I need space—space to breathe, to think, to figure out what the hell I’m doing.

Jane watches him go, then turns to me with a knowing look. “Okay, spill. What’s going on with you two? The tension in here is thick enough to cut with a knife.”

“Nothing’s going on,” I lie, sinking into the couch and grabbing a throw pillow to hug to my chest. “We just had a little argument, that’s all.”

Piper snorts, crossing her arms as she leans against the wall. “A little argument? Sonya, I know you, and that was not just a ‘little argument.’ You two looked ready to tear each other apart.”

“Or maybe tear each other’s clothes off,” Jane adds with a smirk. “Seriously, Sonya, what’s the deal? Are you and Jack…?”

“No!” I cut in, shaking my head furiously. “It’s not like that. Jack and I… we don’t get along, okay? You guys know this already. He’s infuriating, and we just… we clash. A lot.”

Jane exchanges a skeptical look with Piper. “Uh-huh. And that’s why you’re practically vibrating with all this weird energy? Come on, Sonya. I’m one of your best friends. Your sister, in all the ways that count. If something’s going on, you can tell me.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady the storm of emotions raging inside me. “There’s nothing to tell. Jack’s… Jack. He drives me crazy, and not in a good way. Whatever you think you’re seeing, it’s just… it’s not real.”

“Is it, though?” Piper asks. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like there’s something there. And you’re not fooling anyone, least of all yourself.”

I grit my teeth as frustration bubbles up all over again. “I don’t feel anything for him, okay? I loathe him. End of story.”

Jane gives me a look that’s both amused and exasperated. “If you say so. But just remember, sometimes the line between hate and something else is pretty damn thin.”

I open my mouth to argue, but the words die on my tongue. They don’t get it. They don’t understand how complicated this is, how badly I want to believe that I can just turn off whatever this is between Jack and me. But as I sit there, staring at the spot where he stood just moments ago, I know I’m lying to myself. And maybe I’m in way deeper than I ever intended.

Chapter 14 - Jack

Bars are supposed to be a place to unwind, to drown out the noise of the day with a couple of beers and the mindless chatter of strangers. But as I push through the door of Lucky’s, the atmosphere doesn’t do a damn thing to quiet the frustration simmering inside me. I shouldn’t have left the house like I did—storming out without saying a word to Sonya, leaving things between us more tangled than ever. But right now, I need space, and I need a drink.

Reiner claps me on the shoulder and steers me toward a corner booth where it’s quieter. “Hey, man, relax. You’re wound up tighter than I’ve ever seen you.”

“Yeah, well, it’s been one of those weeks,” I mutter, sliding into the booth. I drum my fingers on the sticky tabletop, trying to shake off the lingering tension from the argument with Sonya. Everything about it feels wrong—how I left her standing there, the way she looked at me like I was breaking her heart, and the fact that I’m the one who put that look on her face.

Reiner flags down the waitress and orders us a couple of beers. I’m grateful for the distraction, something to focus on other than the mess I left behind. But as I lean back in my seat, trying to find a comfortable position, my eyes land on Tanner at the bar. Of course. Of all the nights, he’s here, too, sitting there like he owns the damn place. Normally, I’d be hanging out right there with him, but tonight, I have no interest in so much as speaking to him. Not after that shit he pulled with Sonya.

Reiner follows my gaze and lets out a low whistle. “Think it’s worth it?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

I shrug, trying to play it off. “I’m not looking for trouble. Just want to forget about today, you know?”

Reiner nods, though there’s a skeptical glint in his eye. “Right. And Tanner’s not gonna be a problem?”

I grit my teeth, resisting the urge to glare in Tanner’s direction. “Not unless he makes it one.”

But as if the universe has a twisted sense of humor, Tanner spots us and makes his way over. His grin is as smug as ever. “Well, if it isn’t Jack Thomas,” he drawls, leaning against the booth like he’s already forgotten the shitstorm he stirred up earlier. “Not at home playing house with the nanny tonight?”

“Not now, Tanner,” I warn, keeping my voice level. “I’m not in the mood.”

Tanner’s grin only widens, like he’s thrilled to have gotten a rise out of me. “Oh, come on. You know I was just messing with you back there. No harm, no foul, right?”

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