Page 104 of Nanny for the SEAL

With a gentle smile, she looks down at her seating chart and then back up at us. “There is a table available inside just there,” she points to the back corner, “or there is one available on the patio near the outdoor fireplace.”

Sam gestures for me to be the deciding factor, and I consider the options. It isn’t too cold out yet, and with a fireplace going, it could be very quaint to eat out there.

“Let’s do the patio, please.”

“Very well, right this way.”

We follow the woman out toward the back of the building, where a beautiful patio has been created with brick walls that encircle the area. There is a massive fireplace built into that surround, and we are shown to a table for two right in front of it.

Sam and I take our seats, and we each put in an order for drinks. I get a hot cider, and Sam gets a cold brew with an “extra fatty” cream cap, as she calls it.

Conversation starts up quickly again after that.

“So, howareyou doing? Not just the generic ‘I’m fine and so excited.’”

I laugh, feeling a bit called out. “I am fine, and I am excited. Extremely. But…”

She stares me down, and I can’t help but let a bit of the complaints I’ve been harboring silently rush out of my mouth.

“I’m so damn tired all the time. And this nausea? No joke, dude. I am very ready to be done with this part, and I’m only like halfway! On average!”

Sam chuckles, reaching across the table to take my hand. “I get it. I haven’t been there, but I’ve seen my mom struggle, so I know it’s real. She’s that never let ‘em see you sweat type, so I know if even she looked a bit rough, that pregnancy isn’t for the weak.”

Slumping down briefly, I close my eyes with a heavy sigh. “It’s really not. But you know, I am actually excited. I want to see whoever this little person is going to be. I want to…you know,meetthem. Does that sound stupid?”

She shakes her head. “Not at all. They may be living in there, but you still don’tknowthem. They’ll be a tiny little stranger when they arrive. Your stranger, sure, but it’ll be a whole getting-to-know-you process.”

“That’s exactly it! Ugh, thank you.”

The server comes out with our drinks, and we place our orders for food. I go with a classic turkey club, a favorite of mine, and Sam gets a blackened shrimp salad with guacamole.

“I’ll have those right out,” our server says politely, and then they’re off to deliver our order to the kitchen.

“And what about you? Has anything exciting happened?”

I raise my brows as I smile at Sam, and she just shrugs.

“Not much on this end, I’m afraid. I work basically all the time, so there’s not much of an opportunity to do much else.”

“Oh, Sam. You need to take a break. Today is wonderful, but you need to do something for just you, too.”

“Yeah, I’m…I’m working on it.” Her eyes fall down to the table. “It’s a lot to be the main breadwinner for my little squad. My sisters try to help as best as they can, but I’ve always been the ‘reliable’ one out of all us kids.”

I reach across the table and take her hand. “Hey, I get that. That’s been my role with my sister for our entire lives, but it’s crucial to do something for yourself every now and then. You don’t want to resent them, and you don’t want to burn out.”

“You know,” Sam grins, flipping her hand over so that she can squeeze mine, “you’re going to be just fine at this mom thing.”

Smiling, I give her another squeeze and then take my hands back to sip at my cider. “Thank you, Sam.”

“And hey, you know Xaden is already a great father. So that’s a win. How’s he handling the new pregnancy?”

“He’s doing really well, actually. I was so nervous, as you know, but he’s been nothing but supportive. I…I really love him.Somuch.”

Sam smiles, but I can see her tense up a bit. “That’s awesome, Ivy. I’m so happy for you.”

“What is it? You’re making a face.”

“I am not!” But after a moment, she gives in. “Oh, fine. I’m…a little jealous. I wish I had someone to spend my nights with. But all I do is work. And I ain’t finding anyone there. No sir-ee."

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