Page 56 of Nanny for the SEAL

A bite of cold air rushes through, and I smile as I see Xaden standing there looking too damn good in a form-fitting knit sweater and impeccable black jeans.

“Hi,” he offers, his smile small but so very sweet.

“Hi.”

I’m all grins from head to toe as I bob up and down a little, and Xaden gestures outside.

“Shall we?”

Nodding, I step out onto the porch with him, struggling to pull my keys out with my phone still clutched in one hand. It takes that moment to ding, of course.

Turning it over to look at the message preview, I let out a tiny snort of laughter as I lock my door.

“What was that?”

I shake my head, still smiling broadly. “Nothing. Just texting with my sister. Let’s go.”

Xaden walks me down to his car as I tuck my phone away in my purse. The words of Jasmine’s message make me roll my eyes as I approach the passenger side.

There’s a sex life now?! DEETZ!

The restaurant is buzzingwith a subtle warmth, the din of constant conversation filling the background as Xaden and I sip our drinks.

Our meal is long gone, though it was incredible—homemade Italian from the owner’s grandmother’s recipe—and as I listen to him speak, I’m enamored by everything that is Xaden.

“He’s such as ass sometimes, but I love the guy. That’s why I was out that night. Adam sort of forced me to go.”

I laugh. “It sounds like he was forcing you to have some fun. And I appreciate that you said yes even more. You saved me.”

With a scoff, Xaden takes a drink of his martini and then sets it down. “Hardly. It was just some creep. But I’m happy to help.”

“You did,” I say earnestly. “I was so freaked out. I don’t handle situations like that well.”

“And you shouldn’t have to. I apologize for my gender.”

I just laugh again. The night has been so wonderful. We’ve talked about everything and nothing, and connecting over our favorite books, talking about silly fantasy creatures, has been a blast.

I’m also so worked up over him I might actually combust.

My phone dings in my purse, and I offer a sympathetic smile as I reach for it. I left it on for emergencies with Jasmine, but she has got to stop asking for details about Xaden.

The number attached to the message isn’t Jasmine’s.Dammit.

I read over the text preview.

Come on, Vivi. I need some cash. Don’t keep your daddy hanging with nothing.

My stomach clenches, and I quickly delete the message and stuff my cell away.

“You alright?” Xaden’s brows are pinched together, and I do my best to shrug off the anxiety.

“Fine. Stupid spam.” I smile, honestly this time. “Thank you, Xaden. This has been…amazing."

“It has. Though, I suppose I should get you back. We both have a small human looking forward to seeing us tomorrow.”

With a giggle, I nod. “Yes, we do. And no one keeps Daisy waiting.”

After Xaden has driven us home, He parks the car in his driveway only to walk me across the lawn to my front door. Every moment during the drive was tension piled on more tension.

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