Page 55 of Nanny for the SEAL

I’ve also made sure to stock up on condoms, which was so stupidly embarrassing—particularly when the woman selling them to me was at least a million years old—and refill my prescription for birth control.

I was right at the tail end of the active pills before the week of the sugar ones when we did things last time, and I’m not looking to take any chances. I went straight to taking the new pack when I left the doctor’s office.

It’s totally fine to skip a period and keep using the pill, after all.

I shake my head, a thread of concern working through me because of that first night when we weren’t as careful. Still, I’m pretty damn sure it wasn’t the right time for me to get…yeah.

And now, I’m standing here checking my hair in the bathroom mirror, which I’ve wandered off to for the umpteenth time.Fantastic.

“You’re fine, Ivy. You look great.”

The words seem to be less effective the more I say them. Still, I do like this dress, and I managed to layer on some warm accessories without it looking bulky.

My deep blue dress hits right above the knee, so I pulled on a pair of thick tights to keep my legs warm, the sweater-like pattern going well with the dress’s cozy, plaid fabric.

And thankfully, my black peacoat looks great with the outfit, as does the chunky burnt orange scarf I have standing by next to the door.

With nothing else to do, my mind starts to wander, and unfortunately, it settles on Jasmine. It’s been a minute since I’ve checked on her.

My steps take me back to the living room in front of the door, and I’m still worrying about Jas.

“Well, no time like the present, yeah?”

Pulling out my phone from the small, leather purse I snagged out of a box I’ve yet to unpack, I text Jas a brief check-in.

Hey, Jas. How are you? Any messages from Dad? I hope you’re okay. Love you.

It doesn’t take long for me to see the little dots appear at the bottom of the screen, Jasmine typing up a response.

I’m fine, Ivy. Nothing from Dad. Stop worrying. He’s not going to find me all the way in Texas, not after witness protection.

Sighing, I roll my eyes. I’m aware that the odds are slim, but I still don’t like it. Jasmine is all the way out there by herself.

Yes, she’s in a dorm with her roommates, but I’m not there to keep an eye on her. Not for the first time, I wonder why I didn’t choose to move to Texas instead of Red Lodge.

And not for the first time, I remind myself that I was trying to lead my father away from people I cared about. Leading him to Jasmine is a big fucking no.

She says she’s fine, Ivy. Just be her normal sister for a change.

My thumbs are poised over the screen as I consider what to type. I’m not particularly good at keeping the worry at bay, so I go with the only other thing going on in my life that I’m sure Jasmine will have an opinion about.

So…I’m going on a date.

The typing comes up immediately at that, and I actually laugh when I see the response.

OMG! Are you serious? Is it with your hot neighbor, the one you’re nannying for?

It’s times like this that I regret telling her about Xaden just a bit, but a laugh gets the better of me, and I roll my eyes as I type up a response.

Yes. It’s him. Xaden. I’m actually really nervous! But excited.

Ivy! I’m so happy for you. Please give me all the juicy deetz. Pickings are slim around campus, and I need something to entertain me.

I shudder, laughing through the end of it. My sister can be such a horndog sometimes. But as I write another text, I can hear footsteps squeaking on the porch.

Jasmine, I’m not giving you details about my sex life. And he’s here, so we’ll chat later.

I’m pulling my scarf over my head when Xaden knocks, and I hurry up to the door and unlock it.

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