Page 9 of Nanny for the SEAL

Mason takes a swig from his Blue Moon and smiles, looking off to the side in that wistful way he does.

“It’s going great. I really can’t complain. Not even about the Halloween thing. It may be Labor Day, but you know, we so rarely decorate because I’m usually a grump about it. Her words, not mine. So, I’m caving. Bridget deserves a win.”

I cock a brow, finishing my own sip and setting the beer down. “Deserves a win? Something up over in Happyville?”

“Oh, sorry, nothing crazy, no. She’s just been doing a lot around the house and for Mia while I’ve been working a huge deal for a new real estate development in the wooded area just outside of town.”

Memory strikes, and I nod a few times. “Oh, in that burnt patch from the fire? That’s a good use of the space.”

“Yeah, since the land was hurt pretty badly, we’re hoping to rebuild in there and include some stabilizing landscaping. It’s been a hefty project for me, so Bridget has been doing a lot without any help.”

“That’s an awesome idea, Mason. And I mean giving Bridget some slack. You already know the real estate thing will pan out. You’re crushing it on the regular with that one.”

He chuckles again, downing more of his drink. “Thanks. But how’re things with you? How’s the nanny search?”

“Eh, it’s alright. Sure would be nice not to have to do this all over again. But Laura clearly wasn’t a good fit. My, umm, my next-door neighbor applied for the job.”

Mason cocked a brow. “Are you saying that the Miller house was finally purchased? Damn, I thought that thing would be on the market forever. So glad I don’t do residential.”

He earns a chuckle from me, and I nod, remembering my first encounter with Ivy. “Yeah, she just moved in from New York City. Apparently, she used to work in childcare before the move, and I did a background check and ran her references. They’re legit.”

Narrowing his eyes on me, I watch the crinkle form between Mason’s brows. “So, why are you not calling her?”

“Well, I’m a little fucking gun-shy considering how well the last nanny worked out.”

“Okay, sure.” Mason nods, taking another sip. “But this one has good references that checked out, right? Why not just let her meet Daisy and see how they get along?”

“It’s not a terrible idea. I’m just…a little nervous. Obviously. She’s, umm, pretty young, too. I don’t know if that means anything really, but I can’t help but think back to Laura. She was young and impulsive and stole from me. I can’t repeat that.”

Mason reaches across the table and pats me on the arm. “Dude, I get it. Fellow dad you’re talking to. But to a point, you have to just trust the new person. Her references checked out, and she’s passed the background check. So, that’s really all you can do. I’d say give her a shot. Having a nanny who lives next door would be so nice, and you have to get some work done. As much as you might not like it.”

I let out a sigh, finishing my beer. He’s got a point, and we both know it. Still, it’s not just that my neighbor is young and new.

It’s also that she’s extremely attractive, and I haven’t been interested in anybody since Maeve died.

No one.

It’s beyond strange that now, after all this time, my body and brain are thinking of someone like that again. I’d written off that future for myself, and it didn’t matter as long as Daisy was happy.

But now…

“In any case, we should hang out as a unit sometime soon. Mia is dying for another sleepover with Daisy and Juniper. I’m sure Hudson would be down for a hang-out, too.”

I remember how much fun the kids had not too long ago on the last playdate at Hudson’s and nod again.

“We should. I know Daisy would want to. She loves getting to play with her pseudo-cousins.”

Mason laughs. “Ha, yeah. Good old Uncle Mason and Uncle Hudson. Brothers from other mothers.”

I roll my eyes, scoffing as Mason finishes up his drink. I collect the bottles and bring them to the recycling under the sink.

Just as I close the cupboard, I hear Daisy start to talk to herself and sing in her room on the monitor.

“Well, I’m officially being paged.” I walk over to Mason as he stands up, clapping him on the shoulder. “You want to say hi before you head out?”

“Oh, sure. It’s been a minute.”

He hangs out in the kitchen while I go upstairs to Daisy’s room and grab her. She’s still a little groggy as I carry her down the stairs, but as soon as she sees Mason, she perks up.

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