Page 11 of Nolan

I sit in the truck a moment longer, watching them through the window, allowing myself to feel the full weight of what has turned out to be a blessed life.

CHAPTER SIX

Annabelle

The loud pulse of music fills the air as Daisy and I make our way through the crowded entrance of Monroe's. Friday night means the bar is packed, but I welcome the distraction. I've been on edge since that kiss with Nolan. We've been dancing around each other like awkward teenagers ever since. It's enough to drive me to drink.

"God, I needed this," Daisy sighs, slipping into our booth near the back. Her blonde hair catches the dim lights, and I notice how she's dressed up, tight jeans and a silky top that shows just enough to remind everyone she's still got it, baby in tow or not. "Do you know how long it's been since I've been anywhere without a diaper bag?"

I laugh, sliding in across from her. "How's little Tessa doing?"

"Growing like a weed and screaming like a banshee," she says with that perfect mix of exhaustion and pride only new mothers have. "Jasper's watching her tonight. I told him it was his turn to handle the midnight meltdown."

"Brave man," I say, flagging down a server.

Daisy leans forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I pumped enough milk to last the night. Jasper looked terrified when I showed him the bottles lined up in the fridge."

"Are you..." I gesture vaguely at her perfectly made-up face, "drinking tonight?"

"Hell yes," she grins. "Pump and dump, baby. I've been saving this night for weeks. First real night out since Tessa was born, and I'm gonna make it fucking count."

We order our drinks, a vodka cranberry for me and a margarita for Daisy, and clink glasses when they arrive.

"To freedom," Daisy toasts. "Even if it's just for a few hours."

"To freedom," I echo, though my mind wanders to Nolan's house, to little Ashlynn sleeping peacefully, unaware of the chaos they've created in my heart.

"I texted Jasper a few minutes ago," Daisy says after taking a long sip. "Abel's there too, for moral support. Apparently, they've got the football game on with the volume down low so they don't wake Tessa. Two grown men tiptoeing around an eleven-pound baby."

I laugh at the image. "Jasper's going to be fine. He's a natural."

"Oh, I know. I just like making him sweat a little." She wiggles her eyebrows. "Speaking of sweating, how's the arrangement with the hot boss going?"

I nearly choke on my drink. "It's... complicated."

"Complicated how? You basically live in his house, take care of his kid, and get to stare at those arms every day. Not to mention he's got a great head of hair, and tattoos too. I mean what else do you need? Seems pretty straightforward to me."

Before I can answer, a familiar voice calls out, "There you are."

Val weaves through the crowd, her dark curls bouncing as she approaches. She's wearing a tight red dress that turns headsas she passes, but Val has always been oblivious to the attention she attracts.

"Sorry I'm late," she says, sliding in beside me. "Client meeting ran over." Val works at Get Baked, the most popular bakery in town, and she's damn good at what she does. Lately she's taken over working with brides who order their wedding sweets from them. She orders a whiskey neat from the passing server and turns to us with gleaming eyes. "So, what did I miss?"

"Annabelle was just about to tell us about living with the hottest single dad in town," Daisy says.

Val's eyes widen. "Oh my god, yes. Please tell me everything. Is he as broody at home as he is in public? Does he sleep shirtless? Have you seen the abs up close? I've watched him lick his fingers after eating a cinnamon roll a few too many times."

My cheeks burn, and I take another long sip of my drink. "It's not like that. I'm his nanny, not his girlfriend. Besides, you fuck Vaughn. What are you even doing looking at another man?" I tease her.

"Vaughn keeps me very satisfied. We're talking about you. You want to be his girlfriend," Val says, not a question but a statement.

The alcohol emboldens me, and I find myself nodding before I can stop. "We kissed," I confess quietly to Val. Daisy already knows from our previous dinner.

The squeals from Val draw looks from nearby tables.

"When? How? Details, now," Val demands, leaning forward so eagerly I'm afraid she might knock over our drinks.

"It was a couple weeks ago. After dinner. It was..." I close my eyes briefly, reliving the moment. "Perfect. Until he apologized."

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