Page 2 of Crush
I spun the wedding band around and around on my ring finger. Or rather, I spun the part of my finger where the wedding bandusedto be. Old habits die hard.
“That's because Iamnervous,” I said.
“Brynn Conley,” she began with a grin, “I did not have you pegged as a commitment-phobe.”
“I'mnot …” It was always the guys that couldn't handle the commitment. But I didn't really want to get into all that right now. “Anyway. Who knows. We'll see how things go.”
Mr. Gibson—who had stood by with an uncomfortable leer while his wife talked to me about my dating life—suddenly stepped forward.“Well, Brynn, it was a pleasure. We'd be more than happy to give you a reference, so don't hesitate to let us know if you need one.”
“Aglowingreference,” Mrs. Gibson added.
“Thank you both so much,” I said. “I really appreciate that.”
“Seriously,” Mr. Gibson added, “whether you need a reference for a nanny job, or a real job, just let me know and I'd be glad to put in the good word.”
His wife discreetly pinched his arm and quietly reprimanded him. “Honey! That was rude!”
I knew what he meant, but a small piece of me was always a little perturbed when someone implied that nannying wasn't a 'real' job—whatever that phrase even meant in the first place. Wasn't a real job anyjob that paid the bills? Or did I have to be chained to a desk and working a nine-to-six schedule before I was officially worthy of someone's respect?
And call me crazy, but nannying is the most meaningful job I've ever had.
I shook my head. “I had a real job once. Considering how much of my life I gave to it, I'm not really interested in going back to that world.”
To his credit, Mr. Gibson looked thoroughly embarrassed. His cheeks went red and he stammered. “I uh, I didn't mean anything by that, Brynn. I'm sorry.”
“It's okay. I know what you meant.” I smiled. “Anyway, I should get going.”
I hugged them both, and then it was time to say goodbye to the little one.
Only Eloise didn't want to say goodbye—she crawled under the couch and refused to come out instead.
“If you don't say bye to Brynn now, you'll never see her again!” Eloise's Mom warned her.
With a heart broken bawl, Eloise climbed out from under the couch, ran into my arms, and hugged me so tight I thought she'd never let go.
“Miss Bryyyyyyyyynn!” she wailed, sobbing.
Yeah, that'll break your heart.
Darn. I'd managed to hold it together all night until that very moment, but now the tears started to trickle.
“Aw, sweetheart!” I said with a sniffle. “I'll still visit you, okay? I promise.”
After her parents pried the little girl off of me, I made it out the door and hurried to my car.
Whew. That was tough.
Chapter 2
Shea Ellis
There was a time—still seems like yesterday—when, after I made it home from the hockey game,I was mobbed at the door by my three adoring children. I'll never forget the way those kids looked up atDaddywith these huge, disbelieving eyes. BecauseIwasthe same guy they'd just watched on television: the captain of the Boston Brawlers. A real live hero.
These days, now that my kids were a little more grown up? Well, things were a bit different.
I sighed as I climbed out of my car, shut the automatic garage door behind me and stepped into the house. The living room was pitch-black, but music was loudly playing.
Huh. Strange.
