Page 55 of Nanny for the Damaged Ex-SEAL

“Connor, hi. It’s been a while.” I hear Bria say.

“It has been a while. Come on in. How are you doing?”

I hear their conversation all the way in the kitchen. When Bria spots me, she comes to meet me.

"How are you, Ethan?" she asks as she walks past the living room where he's watching TV.

"Good," he answers without looking at her.

When she gets to the kitchen, she drops her bag on the counter and pulls a stool to sit on. "You'll always be the better cook. Just look how good that looks."

"Connor actually taught me this style of plating."

Connor is walking toward us. Bria turns and says, "Thanks, Connor."

He has no idea what we're talking about. He looks puzzled. "For what?"

"For teaching her how to plate like that. It looks incredible."

He cackles.

When he goes to join Ethan, Bria leans forward and whispers, "What have you done to him? He's smiling. And laughing."

I wink at her.

"Oh, I never knew you were this bad."

We transfer the food to the dining table and are joined by Connor and Ethan.

"You've got a really beautiful place, Connor," Bria compliments.

Ethan sneezes. I take a napkin and clean his nose.

"Is he coming down with a cold?" Bria asks.

"Yes, I am, but Aria gave me a hot water bath and cooked soup for me.”

I wasn’t expecting it, but Connor takes my hand in his and squeezes it.

Bria's eyes fall on our entwined hands and she smiles.

After dinner, I go to the balcony with Bria. The wind isn't strong. It's gentle and blows a fresh, cool breeze against our faces. We're standing with our hands on the railing, gazing toward the street.

"You know, I could knock this and say you should do the right thing and break up with him. But it looks so natural. It feels right. It feels like you two are meant to be. It’s, like, effortless."

I smile at her through the dim light. "It is. He makes me so happy."

"I can see that."

Ethan laughs loudly from the living room where he's watching TV with Connor. It's Friday, so he can stay up a little later.

"I wasn't expecting you to be this understanding."

She beams. "Of course! I know you'll never do anything without a good reason. You know who won't be so understanding though?

I shake my head. "Dad and Amy."

She nods slowly.

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