Page 80 of Nanny for the SEAL

“Okay. Umm…let me call him, would you?”

“Of course. I’ll be right here. We can stay in for the night and relax.”

Weirdly, that’s what gets me choked up. I have to clear my throat several times and fan my face to keep myself from sobbing.

“I’m going to call right now.” I walk over to my nightstand, where my cell is still charging, and find Xaden’s number. “Okay.”

Ring, ring, ring.

“Hey, Ivy. What’s up? You feeling better?”

Xaden’s voice is light and cheery. He’s been hanging out with Daisy all day, and that tension in my chest ratchets up another notch.

“Umm, a bit, yeah. Hey, umm, I wanted to invite you and Daisy over for dinner tomorrow. I’m going to catch up on some sleep today, but I wanted to see you guys. We can watch a movie after.”

“I would love to, and I know that Daisy is on board. She’s been missing you. Me too.”

Conflicting emotions tunnel through me—longing, fear, love. I breathe through my nose, closing my eyes as I try to focus.

“Great.” I smile, unable to keep it away even after all this. “I miss you too.”

“It’s a date then. And yeah, go get some rest, babe. We’ll see you tomorrow, and I’ll make sure to come ready for a backrub.”

My eyes well up, and I do my best to keep the emotion from my voice. “You’re the best. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you soon, babe.”

With that, I hang up, and the tears spill over onto my cheeks. Xaden is genuinely an incredible man. He’s understanding and caring. He’s a wonderful father, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would be a fantastic spouse, too.

I want this to work out. God, I want this to work out more than anything in the world. But if he’s too triggered by the pregnancy, I’ll understand.

And I’ll carry these memories with me as I go forward from there.

Slumping onto the bed, I toss my phone to the side and sigh. My head is spinning, and I put my hand to my forehead.

“I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.”

Sam is right beside me, pulling me in for a hug. “I get that. So, I’m going to order some takeout to eat right here in bed. You can totally turn it down, but I know you’re empty, so you should eat something.”

“You are the best friend in the world, Sam. I would be so alone without you.” I lean into her, soaking up every bit of the hug.

“Eh, I’m okay.” She grins, shrugging. “But if you want to tell my mom that so she stops pestering me about not having a life outside of work, you go right ahead.”

We laugh together, and after a bit, Sam pulls up the online menu for one of her favorite restaurants and places an order for delivery.

I’m settled in the bed with food on the way when Sam stands up and goes to the other room to make me some tea, which actually sounds appetizing.

“I’ll be right back,” she calls over her shoulder, and I snuggle into the bed, hitting play on Netflix so that we can continue ourSupernaturalmarathon.

My phone buzzes on the bed, and I reach for it, dreading what I feel like would be the cherry on top of this shit cake of a day.

But it’s not the unknown number I’m used to seeing. It’s a different one.

Swiping my phone open, I click on the message.

Hi, Vivi. It’s Mom. I’m really sorry for what went down all those years ago. I want you to know that I’ve changed. I’m not that person who went to prison. I’d like the chance to reconnect with you. Just…give me a chance, yeah?

The nausea begins to swell again, and I close my mouth after it fell open.

---