Page 94 of Nanny for the SEAL

Bridget nods.

“You are!” I hug her, pulling my new friend into my arms. “I knew it! Oh my God, we’ll be due around the same time?”

She’s all grins and I can see her doing the mental math trying to answer. “I’m about a month or so along, so…”

“Ah, me too! This is perfect!”

Xaden finally realizes what we’re talking about and his eyes snap from our conversation to Mason.

“Get the fuck out. Are you serious?”

Mason nods, his smile now mirroring Bridget’s. “Immensely. We’re expecting another baby.”

Bridget elbows him in the ribs. “We’renot expecting anything.Iam the pregnant one, and let me tell you, this shit sucks.”

We all laugh, none so hard as me with my sympathy, and Bridget and Mason fill me in on their unlikely relationship, which is oddly similar to Xaden and mine in some ways, and I can already tell she’s going to be one of my favorite people.

“That is quite the tale! And a fire! Jesus, I’m pretty sure I would be terrible in that situation, so I’m glad I missed it.”

Bridget sobers for a moment. “It wasn’t my favorite experience, but I’ll admit that the only upside of danger is that it sets your priorities straight.” She squeezes Mason’s hand. “I amveryglad that we found each other through all that.”

I look over at Xaden and think about how our conversation about my father went. “I understand what you mean.”

With a smile, I lean toward Xade, and he’s already moving toward me with his arm open. He kisses the top of my head, our little dance that we know by heart now.

“Well, look at us. Happy families all around.”

Mason rolls his eyes, but they land on Bridget, and there’s no denying how much his expression says he agrees.

“Yeah. That we are,” Mason mutters.

This evening feels all the more special, knowing that I’ve found another mom to be pregnant with and a pair of friends who’ll be sure to keep us all sane and happy.

“This has been so wonderful, and I’m so glad that I was able to eat!” I say gladly. “We’ll see how long it lasts.”

Bridget nods in understanding, and she puts a hand over her own stomach. As she looks down at it, her eyes glazing over with that sheen of emotion, I take her hand.

“It’s nice to know that we’ll be doing this together. If you ever need someone to bitch to—about anything at all—I’m right next door.”

She grins. “Ditto. I’m sure the girls would love to play while we chat, too.”

“Oh, they would.” My voice is full of sweet enthusiasm.

“We should all get together for the holidays, too. I know not many of us have family in town except for Bridget. Do you think your mom would?—”

“Mind more people celebrating with her? Absolutely not. It’s a deal.” Bridget grins again, and we all laugh, plans for the future in motion.

I’m not sure how you’re supposed to be nostalgic for a moment that’s happening, but I am. This feels like the start of something extraordinary, and I’m so very ready for somerealfamily by my side.

The evening comes to a close, and it was a resounding success. The men managed to keep their drinking to a minimum since Bridget and I can’t—and don’t want to see it, either.

We all hug and part ways to our cars to head home, traveling in the same direction, which is just hilarious. It would be so much more efficient to ride together, but I’ll admit that I’m glad we have the car all to ourselves right now.

Sliding my hand across Xaden’s thigh as he steers, I tease the inner seam of his pants, hoping that I’ve hinted enough for him to pick up on it.

“Well, hello.”Oh, good. It worked. “And what’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing yet.” I wag my brows. “Would you like to?”

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