Page 69 of Nanny for the SEAL

Picking up the pace again, I start jogging lightly back toward Xaden’s.

“Yeah, well, I’m not sure how serious it is. We’ll see.” There’s a pause, and then Jasmine laughs. “Why do you sound out of breath? Did Iinterruptsomething?”

Barking out a laugh, my pace falters. “Ha! No! Get your head out of the gutter. I’m going for a run. Well, I was. Now, I’m just standing here listening to you.”

“Oh, good. You should not be answering the phone when you’re getting some.” She teases me, and I can’t help but smile.

“Trust me. I wouldn’t answer. I am definitely toobusyduring those moments.”

“Eh-oh, that’s my girl! Big sis is hitting it like a champ!”

We just giggle until the moment naturally passes, and I sigh.

When Jasmine pauses, I’m left with that same nagging question that I always have when I talk to my baby sister. I don’t want to be the buzzkill, but it’s too important to me that Jas is safe.

“Has our father contacted you? I know it’s not fun to think about, but I have to be on top of it.”

“Still, no, Ivy. And you know I’d tell you immediately if he did.” I hear her shuffle on the other end and the volume around her increases. “And as much as I hate to say it, he’s not as interested in me, which I know is thanks to you. You should watch your back, sis. He’s…unhinged.”

I have to imagine that Jasmine is in the cafeteria or a student restaurant getting breakfast now, and the thought of her around all those people settles my nerves some. Still, she’s not wrong.

“That’s putting it politely.” I lean back, looking up into the sky, as I put my hands on the back of my head. “And yeah, I know. I worry every day that he’ll show up here.”

I’ve made it back to the driveway now, having slowly walked as we talked. When I focus on the front porch, I can see Xaden there with Daisy in his arms.

It’s exactly what I want to see when I’m coming back home, and it hits me that I’m genuinely starting to think of Xaden’s place as home.

Not my house next door, the one I technically own, but his—the warmth there, the people inside it.

“Hey, I need to go, but thanks for chatting. I’ll text you later, okay?”

“Totally. I need to eat anyway. Have fun with that man of yours.” I can hear the smile Jasmine wears in her voice. “And stay safe.”

Looking at Xaden, I smile as he waves Daisy’s hand. He clearly took her out there because she asked where I was. They’re my welcoming party.

He’s always been right there for me. I feel…safe around Xaden.

“I will, Jas.” My chest squeezes as I lose myself to Xaden’s smile. “I will.”

Refocusing, I look down at the ground and shake my head. I pull my phone out of the armband and hover my thumb over the red button.

“I love you. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Love you, Ivy. Bye.”

Hanging up, I start a steady walk back to Xaden, looking forward to the hug I’m going to get the moment I’m in arms reach of the two of them.

It’s still a bit unexpected, but I really do feel like Xaden would be there by my side if anything happened. I can trust him to look out for me and to be there should I fall.

I’ve always been the one to provide that for others. It’s something to be on the receiving end. I mean, sure, I’ve had incredible friends, but this is different.

Because Xaden isnotmy friend. He’s so much more. I’m…falling in love with him.

My stomach is flip-flopping like pancakes on a griddle, and I know that I need to eat something soon.

You also need to talk to him about all this. He needs to know.

That voice in my head is right.

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