Page 97 of Nanny for the Mercenaries

“I did not intend to insult all Americans,” Archer said. “Truly, I was only taking the piss with my idiot partners.”

“It’s not that,” I said. “It’s just… going home. It’s making me emotional.”

“I didn’t realize you were that homesick,” Jordy said. “A month was a long time…”

“It’s about you guys!” I finally blurted out. All of them flinched. “Now that the trip is over, my nanny gig is over. Which means all ofthisis ending. And I have to look for a new job.”

Archer and Jordy glanced at each other. “That’s what you’ve been worried about?”

“Of course it is! Why wouldn’t I be worried about that? This job is ending, and I have to say goodbye to Kaylee, and I might get a new job in a different city and then… then…” I couldn’t get the words out.

“We actually discussed this yesterday,” Archer said. “We were going to wait until we got home to mention it to you, but I suppose now is a good time…”

“We want you to keep nannying for Kaylee.” Jordy braced my arms and smiled at me. “You’re really good for her. The three of us spend plenty of time with her, and have raised her better than most people could have in the same circumstances, but you’ve been able to connect with her in a way we never have. Maybe she needs a female influence. Or maybe it’s because you’re totally focused on her, while we have our mercenary work to juggle, too.”

“Regardless of the reason, we would like to formally extend your contract for a full year,” Archer said. “Perhaps longer if you would like, but a year to start out.”

I hadn’t expected this at all. They had made it very clear that my services were only needed for these three missions. It was like begging for a life preserver while drowning, and instead getting a yacht.

“Are you sure?” I asked, glancing at Harrison. “You don’t mind?”

“Mind?” He barked a laugh. “Fuck, it was my idea.”

I blinked in surprise. That helped calm my nerves. But there was still another issue, one which I didn’t know how to broach…

“You aren’t thrilled about this?” Jordy asked, confused. “I thought you would be jumping up and down with excitement.”

“What about us?” I asked in a rush. “What about you and me? What about me and Archer? What about the three of us? Will we stay together and see where this goes? I don’t know what you guys want. Heck, I don’t even know what I want, myself. It’s all so confusing, but I do know that I like you both, and don’t want this to end, but if these relationships get in the way of Kaylee or make things weird for her…”

They shared another look. And then they did the one thing I didn’t expect.

They busted out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” I demanded.

“You,” Jordy replied.

I felt tears welling in my eyes again. “I didn’t realize I was a joke to you.”

“Of course you aren’t!” Archer said, brushing away a tear from my cheek with his thumb.

“Then why are you laughing!”

“Because you’re silly, that’s why,” Jordy replied. “Of course we want to stay together and see where this goes.”

“Really?” I asked.

Archer nodded. “Honestly, I never thought that was in doubt. You expected us to just… dump you?”

“I don’t know what I thought,” I said, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. I did feel very silly, now. “It was all one big unknown that I didn’t want to think about.”

Jordy took me in his arms and stared into my eyes. “We have something really special. I’m certain of it, and I know you feel it too.”

Archer put a hand on my back. “I am quite certain it’s not physical. Or at least, notonlyphysical.”

“Physical is definitely a large part of it,” Jordy agreed. “But there’s a lot more beyond that. I want to see where it goes. We both do.”

“I was hoping for that regardless of whether you accepted a contract extension for a year,” Archer said. He raised an eyebrow. “Youdointend to accept the contract extension, yes?”

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