Page 52 of Discretion

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“So—” Kendall leaned in, keeping her voice low so the other guests wouldn’t overhear. “I’m not sure how you’ll feel about this, but one of the team doctors for the Leatherbacks is single. And I really think you’d hit it off.”

Oh god.I sincerely hoped I’d held back my groan.

Why was everyone so intent on fixing me up? First Zara and now Kendall? We were at her house for Sloan’s baby shower, for crying out loud.

I tucked a curl behind my ear. How the hell was I supposed to respond? Kendall and Emerson had been kind enough to invite me to their weekly yoga sessions, and I’d enjoyed getting to know them. But part of me always felt different from them. Separate.

Not because of anything they’d done. In fact, they were both so warm and welcoming. It was more the fact that I was almost a decade older. I was at a different point in my life. They’d been best friends long before they’d married brothers. And I was an employee of their family.

Perhaps taking my silence as an indication of my interest, Kendall tapped on her phone then showed me the screen. “Isn’t he handsome? He’s also the sweetest guy and helps coach a kids’ soccer team.”

He was cute. And he sounded really nice. But I just…couldn’t.

I could try to blame it on my new job, my busy life, the situation with my parents—though, thankfully Mom had agreed to move Dad to Green Acres. I’d done all the research, and she finally felt comfortable with the decision. Maybe not at peace per se. But at least she’d relented.

And while those were all completely valid reasons for not wanting to date, I was trying to put myself first. I was trying to show my son what it meant to love yourself. And right now, putting myself first meant focusing on myself and my family, on my career, not starting a new relationship.

No matter how difficult it might be to resist Jasper.

“Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m not looking to date right now.” I didn’t want to lead Kendall’s friend on, but I also couldn’t share that I was hung up on her brother-in-law. “I don’t even know where I’d find the time, let alone someone to watch my son.”

Emerson turned to me with a brilliant smile. “You know if you ever need someone to watch Kai, he’s always welcome to come hang at our house. He was so sweet with Ezra.”

“And Leo,” Kendall said.

“Or our place,” Alexis said. “The girls had so much fun with him the other weekend.”

“Thanks. That’s so nice of you,” I said, trying to backpedal. “Both of you. But I couldn’t possibly?—”

Alexis smiled. “The offer stands.” And then she walked off to say hi to someone else.

Emerson placed her hand on my arm. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to.”

“She used to be a nanny,” Kendall said. “Nate’s nanny, in fact.”

Emerson rolled her eyes. “I wasn’tNate’snanny. I was Brooklyn’s nanny.”

“Semantics.” Astrid popped a carrot slice into her mouth, crunching on it loudly. Even though they were twins, they had very distinct personalities. “Brooklyn’s his daughter. Therefore, you were Nate’s nanny.”

“My point is,” Kendall said, giving them both a look, “she’s trained in CPR and first aid, and kids love her.”

“Thank you.” Emerson blew her a kiss. “And Brooklyn would love to hang out with Kai.”

“I—” I didn’t know what to say. “That’s really kind of you to offer. Thank you.”

“I’ve never been a single parent, but I can imagine it’s tough, based on what Nate’s told me. Take support when you can. It’s freely offered,” Emerson said.

I nodded. These women were so authentic and down-to-earth. I found myself wanting to confide in them. “It is tough. Sometimes, I honestly don’t know whether to be upset or grateful that my ex isn’t more involved.”

Though Craig had certainly been making more of an effort lately. He’d called every Saturday morning since we’d moved to LA. And as far as I could tell, he was still planning to come visit later this week. I sure hoped so because I was relying on him to watch Kai while I went to New York for the charity auction.

“Nate’s ex is a piece of work,” Emerson said. “Thankfully, she signed away her parental rights.”

“I can’t even imagine…” That made me sad for Brooklyn, even though I knew she was so loved by Nate and Emerson and all of their family.

“Unfathomable,” Kendall said, probably thinking of her own son.