Page 54 of Nanny for the Damaged Ex-SEAL

She shifts her chair back and stands up. "Do you know what you're saying? Amy is family. That makes Connor family, too. That's some freaky shit, right there.”

I drag my elbows onto the table and drop my head in my hands as she walks away toward the kitchen. “I know, Bria. What do I do? I really love him. I love him so much.”

She comes back to the table and leans on it. “How does Connor feel about it?”

“He feels the same way. He says no one can know. Please, Bria,no onecan know about this. I can’t lose him.”

She shakes her head. "You know you're only setting yourself up for heartbreak, right? I mean, what do you think is going to happen? That you'll ride into the sunset with Dad and Amy bidding you farewell and good luck?"

"I wasn’t thinking, to be honest. After Jake, I wasn’t interested in anyone until Connor came along. Connor was the only one I connected with. I love him. I’m not going to deny it.”

She sighs and sits. “I know how heartbroken you were after Jake. You can’t choose who you click with, or who you love. Life is unpredictable. It’s a tough situation, for sure, but I understand.”

Her last words sink into me and soothe me. She understands. If only everyone would understand.

It's been a week since Bria found out about Connor and me. A week of feeling guilty that I broke my promise to Connor. For the first two days after, I felt like a bad person. I wanted Bria to know, despite what Connor and I had agreed to. I knew I'd made the decision and my subconscious just made it possible. It's been tough because if Connor finds out, he'll be pissed. But I'll have to tell him so he doesn't find out like Bria accidentally found out about us. That'll be worse.

The water keeps running in the bathroom, then it stops. He doesn’t come out for another five minutes. When he does, he has a thick white towel tied around his waist. His waist is really toned, and his abs are the hottest I've ever seen in real life. His hair is plastered to his head and is dripping water down the back of his neck. He pulls the towel from his waist to dry his neck. His back is turned to me as he stares in the mirror.

"Is Bria still coming for dinner tonight?"

At the mention of her name, I stiffen up.

He looks at me through the mirror and I nod. It's best for him to know once and for all.

"I need to tell you something."

He nods and keeps rubbing the towel against his neck to catch the little water left.

"Bria knows."

The towel slides from his neck as he turns slowly toward me. He’s naked and sexy and my heart is jumping, but not because of his nakedness. I'm scared of what his reaction will be.

"You told her?"

"Yes. But not really. I mean, she found out when I accidentally said something."

I expect him to freak out. But he wraps the towel around his waist again and turns to lean against the dresser. "She knows and she still wants to come to dinner?"

I nod.

He crosses his arms over his chest. "What did she say when she found out?"

"She was concerned for me. For us. But she said she understands."

"She said that?"

"Yes."

"Your dad and Amy? She'll tell them."

"No, God. No. She won't do that to me. It's going to be a disaster if they find out, and she doesn't want that for me."

He sighs and comes to sit on the bed, close enough to take my hand in his. "We'll figure this out somehow, okay?"

"Okay," I say, and sigh.

At a few minutes past 7 in the evening, the doorbell goes off. Connor goes to get it.

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