Page 102 of Nanny for the Protector

“Yes, we are. You’re so committed to your suffering since Lisbeth left that it’s just plain sad.”

“Seriously?”

Jenson took a big swig of his drink. “Yes, seriously. And I’ve enabled that. I’m tired of enabling it. You’re WesleyfuckingTaves. You’ve worked really hard. You’re a good dad. You deserve happiness. But the moment you get even a whiff of it, you run the other way.”

I shook my head. “This is fucking rich.”

“Don’t pretend like I’m not right. Cara wasgoodfor you and for Lucy. And if you had her on your side for your custody fight, to show Lucy has a female figure in her day-to-day life —”

“The woman I fucked for two weeks and then dated for two more? My kid’s nanny? You really think that will give me any credibility? You’re fucking insane.”

Jenson inhaled and shut his eyes. “Don’t talk to me like that when I’m trying to help.”

I looked away guiltily. “Sorry.”

“It wouldn’t hurt. And depriving yourself of happiness deprives Lucy of it, too. You know I’m right. That’s why you’re getting so mad.”

Jenson continued to ramble, but I couldn’t listen to him lecture me any longer. He was infuriating because he was correct. I was committed to my suffering. It had become a part of me many years ago. Losing my family early in life, losing many friendships and relationships through the years due to being a workaholic. Losing my wife. Life had shown me that was how I had to be to protect my heart.

In the midst of my musings, I saw her. At the bar.

Fuck.

“It’s Cara.”

“And another thi— What?” Jenson followed my gaze. “Holy shit. Who’s that guy?”

I hadn’t even noticed she was with someone through my shock. “That’s DannyfuckingMorden.”

“Who?”

“Her realtor. Their families know each other. She hates him but her parents are always trying to get her to go out with him and…” I knew right away something was off. Call it a gut feeling. But there was no way I would believe Cara was there of her own volition.

“Well, she looks miserable.”

Jenson was right. Cara was leaning away from Danny, trying her best to avoid his closeness as he spoke.

“Go talk to her.”

“No, I can’t.”

“I think she’d be happy to see you.”

“No, she’s…” I was about to look away when my eyes landed on her wrist. She was still wearing the bracelet I gave her. I could spot the butterfly from a mile away. My lips curled into a smile.

That very moment, Cara yelled, shoving Danny away from her. “Stop!”

It echoed through the bar. But New York being New York, many people pretended like they didn’t hear it. Or the music was just too loud.

I got to my feet without a second thought and went directly over to them, forcing myself in front of Cara. “What the fuck is going on?”

Cara touched my arm. “Wesley! What are you —”

“Mr. Taves, what a surprise! We were just talking about you.” Danny tried to smile, but his eyes betrayed his nervousness. He was not happy to see me. And he seemed drunk.

“I heard her say ‘stop.’ I think the whole bar can see how uncomfortable you’re making her.”

Danny snorted. “Okay, I see what’s going on here.”

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