Page 72 of Nanny for the Doctor

Nausea claws up my spine, clawing at my insides, and I’m seriously concerned I might bring up the pancakes we just enjoyed eating. Rage quickly follows it, however, and I clench my fists.

“Is that really all it is to you? Just some office fling?”

Reed turns, but he just stands there and gapes at me. I raise my brows at him, demanding a response.

Nothing.

The queasy feeling in my stomach churns harder, and the telltale sting in my eyes signals the tears are on their way.

I was really just a convenient hookup.

“Office romance?” Johnny fights against Stevie’s hold, and the concern on her face sends panic shooting through my nerves. “You bastard! Need I remind you that you’re supposed to be my best friend?”

I step back, shrinking toward the fridge where no one is blocking the exit. I’m such an idiot.I…I thought we both felt…damn it.

The burn on my lips still tingles, and I can’t stop myself from reaching for them. Does Reed really not care about me at all?

Just a moment ago…no. I’ve had enough.

Pushing past the island, I grab my purse from the entry table and reach for the door.

“Where are you going?” Reed’s voice cuts through Johnny’s stream of insults.

“I’ve overstayed my welcome. I’m leaving.”

“Mae—”

But I don’t wait to hear what he’s going to say. I fling the door open and leave Reed to deal with my brother.Have fun with that.

Chapter24

Reed

“Mae!”

The door slams in my face as I try to follow after her, but then Johnny’s at my back, holding me in place by the arm.

I glare at him. “Let me go.”

Johnny throws my arm out of his grip, pushing me back, and then he shoots a warning at me. “Don’t. Don’t go after her. You need to give my sister some space and tread carefully.”

I scoff at him, rolling my eyes.

“With both of us.”

Meeting Johnny’s stare, I can’t keep the anger back any longer. That’s not how I wanted to break the news, and it’snotwhat I wanted to say.

The “office romance” thing was a kneejerk reaction because I was put on the fucking spot, and now I can’t explain myself to Mae.

“You just gonna walk all over Mae’s life and take control? She’s a grown woman.”

Johnny crosses his arms over his chest, shaking his head as Stevie tries to soothe him. Getting punched in the face seems pretty damn likely right now.

“I don’t want to see her get hurt. I know exactly how closed off you are and how muchgood luckyou’ve had with dating over the past three years. I’m protecting her.”

“Protecting her? You sure you’re not just protecting your image of her?”

Stevie has to physically restrain him at this point, keeping him from coming right up in my face. I know I should back off, but every ounce of tension that’s been coiled inside me for the past few weeks has boiled over.

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