Page 61 of Mr. Wolfe's Nanny

I’m giggling and waggling my eyebrows at Theo who’s trying to gracefully answer Jill’s question.

∞∞∞

That night, we’re cleaning up in the kitchen together. Jill’s already asleep and Ryder’s eyes are drooping while he reads a book about volcanoes I picked up in a gift shop near the marina.

“Today, I went sightseeing in another country,” I say as I pass the last dish to Theo for drying. “I never thought I would.” I can’t help feeling proud of myself.

“Never?”

I shake my head. I’ve stuck close to home, living in my safe routine, afraid of anything that might trigger an attack for so long. “It’s like I've been living half a life.”

Theo sets the dry dish aside. “I think I know what you mean. I’m glad you enjoyed today even with Sara’s interruption. I can’t believe the Tom I knew was going to marry her. But I still struggle with what Tom did to Wolfe Media.”

“And to you. He was your friend.”

“I thought so. But maybe I never knew him at all.”

“I’m sorry that happened. As for Sara, I’m sorry for her, too. It would have to hurt finding out your fiancé is a scoundrel.”

“Yeah, especially when you live your life on social media, like some goldfish in a bowl to be watched. I’m sure she’ll capitalize on her misfortune the best she can.”

“Not a life for me,” I say.

“Nor me. As for trust, Tom’s not the only one to violate mine in the past year.” He carefully takes my hand and leads me towards the patio doors, further away from Ryder.

“What do you mean?”

“Nadine. I never told you why I broke things off, did I?”

“No, you didn’t.”

“I found her in my bathroom one evening. She claimed she wasn’t doing anything but I don’t think she was carrying a safety pin while snooping around my condoms for no reason.”

“She was tampering with them?!” Talk about a sneaky, lowdown maneuver. No wonder she acts so desperate around him. Sheisdesperate. At least with one-night stands, Theo could prevent stunts like that. “I’m sorry, Theo. That was very wrong of her. Deciding when we want or don’t want to have children is a personal decision for partners and it goes both ways.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t about to have an oops with her so I decided it needed to end.”

I get it but I’m also sorry that this seems to confirm my belief Theo doesn’t want more kids ever. “I know I shouldn’t complain about being rich but sometimes it means watching who you allow to get close, never knowing if it’s really you they want or the money.”

I want you. Just you. “I guess I can see why you were so suspicious of my motives when I turned up as the nanny.”

He grimaces. “I was wrong though, Quinn. You’re nothing like that.”

I nod but the talk of attempted birth control tampering briefly brings my period to mind. I haven’t had one lately and don’t recall when the last one was. It started on a Sleepover Night. When though?

I’m not worried, not really. I’m often irregular. I’ve got an appointment to see my gynecologist soon for my yearly appointment and to talk about going back on the pill. I would feel better if I could recall exactly when…

“Hey, look at that,” Theo says, nudging me.

There’s a sweet boy passed out on the sofa, book rising and falling with his breaths on his small chest. Love fills me and pushes away other thoughts.

“He’s adorbs,” I say, teasingly borrowing Sara’s phrase.

Theo snorts and goes to lift the sleeping child. I follow him to Ryder’s room. We pull off socks and help him into pajamas as he mumbles things about Marilyn, swimming and invertebrates. I brush his hair back from his forehead and lean over to give him a kiss.

“You’re so good with them, Quinn,” Theo says quietly in the darkened room with his son between us. His blue eyes are so soft, filled with things I hope I’m not misinterpreting. “I couldn’t ask for anyone better to care for them. I’m very grateful you came into our lives.”

“It’s my pleasure, Theo,” I say, my voice tight with emotion. “I love them.”I love you, too.

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