Page 55 of Nanny for the Bodyguard

Still, kidding myself doesn’t seem to be as effective as it has been. I look down at my food, shoveling it around in the oversized white bowl to make it look like I’m eating.

Because my appetite is suddenly gone.

“It’ll be fine,” I say as I push couscous onto my fork. “This is just a means to an end. I get what I need, and then we can part ways.”

Liv doesn’t respond to that, though, and I don’t elaborate or look up from my bowl.

Easton is back in my life. I’ve kissed him twice now, and I know I wanted more both times.

But more what?

More physical stuff? Sex? Or more of something else?

More of what I’ve been thinking about ever since Easton left? More of what I’ve been fantasizing about since I started babysitting Jade?

Because the truth I don’t want to face is pretty damn simple.

I’m terrified of letting Easton in again, terrified I already have. Because when I’m honest with myself, now that he’s here, I don’t want him to leave.

SEVENTEEN

Easton

“Jade, don’t just kick your shoes off and leave them in the middle of the floor. I’m going to trip on them. Please put them on the shoe rack.”

“Ugh,” she moans, slumping so that she’s walking like a cave person, “fine.”

I will not laugh. I will not laugh.

“Thank you.” I step around her and go to the kitchen to plug in my phone. It’s nearly dead, having been out all day and taking photos and videos of our time at the community swimming pool.

Sure, we have one here, but there’s something about the too-strong chlorine and slew of kids everywhere that feels so much more like summer than just hanging out in the backyard.

Plus, Jade got to see some of her friends. It was a good day.

“Can we watch a movie?” Jade asks, and I stop short of the kitchen, checking the time on my phone.

“Oh, crap. I didn’t realize it was so late.” It’s nearly nine-thirty, and I know that Jade will read in her bed before actually sleeping. “We need to get to bed, kiddo.”

“Aw, man.” She’s all moans and whines, but as I drag her up the stairs to brush her teeth and get into pajamas, Jade yawns several times.

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Jade stops fighting it, grabbing a book from her shelf to read until she passes out. I get her tucked in bed, kissing the top of her head before turning off the overhead light and leaving her with the one on her nightstand.

“Goodnight, honey. See you in the morning.”

Grinning up at me with another yawn, Jade snuggles into her pillow. “Night, Uncle Easton.”

My heart feels pretty damn full as I close her door and head back downstairs. I still haven’t plugged in my phone, and of course, now I’m starving since I didn’t join the kids in their seven o’clock munchie fest.

Who even thinks blue flame should be a flavor of chip? Ugh.

The house is quiet, and I kick off my shoes at the door and pad into the kitchen. Just as I start to plug the cord into the bottom of my phone, it rings.

I nearly drop the thing, and then my heart sinks as I see who’s calling.

The fuck? No, it’s fine. Just answer.