Page 152 of Worst Nanny Ever
“I’m not,” she says with a directness that surprises me. “I’ve dealt with everything badly. I’m just… I’ve always been a private person, and the last thing I wanted was for everyone to be talking about…”
“Your boyfriend having a fiancée and two other girlfriends?” I ask with a laugh.
She lifts one corner of her mouth, nodding. “Something like that. It was complicated and super messy, and I’m hoping we can put it all behind us and maybe be friends. But if there’s anything I can do for you. Anything at all?—”
I beam at her. “I’m going to be calling in that favor really soon for my friend Briar. She’s taking over her family’s brewery, and she’s going to need all the help she can get. You’ll meet with her?”
“Briar as in…”
“One of Jonah’s other ex-girlfriends. You can’t escape us, can you?” I say it with a smile, because there’s something magical about this night suddenly. A few minutes ago, it felt like all hope was lost for my friend, but now possibility floats in the air like little golden motes of light. I plan on grabbing as many as I can and shoving them at Briar.
Nora smiles back at me. “It’s enough that I escaped Jonah.”
“Agreed,” I say, distracted by the sight of Travis walking my way.
“I have to go take care of a few things,” I tell Nora. “Have a good time, and I’ll be in touch.”
I practically run to Travis. He wraps his arm around me, and I lean into his neck, needing to breathe him in. I can sense everyone murmuring around us, but I ignore them. For a second, the two of us exist in a bubble that’s just ours. Then he kisses my forehead, and I say, “Liam—I need to have a private talk with Liam. Let’s get him and go to the storeroom.”
“Uh…”
I can sense him remembering what we did in that storeroom, but there’s no better place to go. It’s important for this conversation to be totally private, and it’s freezing outside. “Don’t worry, I won’t tackle you until after he leaves.”
He smiles, shaking his head softly. “Is Briar okay? We saw you bringing her to the back.”
“No, but she’s going to be,” I say firmly. “Let’s get Liam.”
My brother’s deep in conversation with Cormac, but as soon as I signal to him, he cuts it short.
Striding over, Liam asks, “What’s up? Something wrong with your friend?”
“Yes,” I say. “You and I are having a super-secret meeting in the storeroom. Right away.” I glance around, making sure no one’s listening, because I would one hundred percent get into trouble if anyone finds out about this.
“What about Travis?” he asks, raising his eyebrows.
“He’s coming as my Emotional Support Travis.”
“Are you good with that emasculating description?” Liam asks him, still joking around as if everything isn’t about to change.
“Yup,” Travis says, squeezing me.
“Well, by all means. Let’s pack into a tiny space together, because that’s not suspicious.”
Travis laughs, and I jab him playfully with my elbow andsay, “Just be cool, and it’ll be fine. If anyone asks, we’ll say someone puked in the bathroom and we’re getting supplies to clean it.”
Liam nods, giving me a searching look, and I start toward the storeroom, worried I might chicken out if I don’t get this out soon.
A couple of minutes later, the three of us are shut inside, Travis’s arms still wrapped around me. I’m breathing hard, my heart racing, but I force myself to calm down as I face my typically stoic big brother.
“That other favor you promised me,” I say. “You meant it, didn’t you?”
His eyes darken. “You know I did.”
My mind races at the thought of what I’m about to say. But the truth is, I wouldn’t ask my brother to do this if I didn’t think he could handle it. If I didn’t think the challenge would thrill him—and that he’d rise to it—and that it would be the making of both him and Silver Star Brewery.
I wouldn’t be saying this if I thought it was a bad idea.
Especially since it could get me fired from my brand-new job if anyone found out.
But doubt bites into me suddenly.
I’m asking Liam to leave his job just because I say so. It’s an enormous ask, way beyond the normal scope of a favor.
I glance at Travis, needing his take on this. If he thinks it’s a horrible idea—another instance of Hannah Overreach—I’ll back off. But he’s watching me with a look of such deep faith, I’m blown away. He smiles and squeezes my hand, and even though I didn’t run this by him before dragging him in here, I know he’s behind me one hundred percent. That he’ll always be behind me, whatever crazy scheme I concoct. Just like I’ll always have his back.
“Hannah?” Liam all but growls. “I didn’t come in here to watch you make out with your boyfriend.”
“Too bad,” Travis says. He lifts my hand to his lips, nodding. Giving me his silent go-ahead.
Filled with strength and fresh conviction, I straighten, looking Liam in the eye, and I say, “I’m calling that favor in.”
