Page 44 of Under One Roof

“That’s not true.”

“It felt true. But then you came over to dance with me, and Elsa looked like she wanted to freeze me.”

I huff a laugh, and she offers me a stilted smile. “I like when you laugh. You should do it more.”

“I’m laughing because you assume I actually care about what she thinks. I don’t.” I trail my fingers up to Andi’s temple, trace the shell of her ear, and smooth my palm along her neck before sliding my fingers over the hair at the top of her head. “There’s nothing there anymore. Especially after what you told me. I don’t want anything to do with her.”

“But she wants something to do with you,” she points out, and I shrug.

“I don’t even remember what she and I talked about. All I could think about was the way you looked in that purple sundress and your cowboy boots. How it felt dancing with you. Like nothing else mattered.”

I’m not sure if this conversation is happening because it’s been a long time coming or because confessing my feelings to her in this state is like talking to a drunk person. I’m not sure how much of this she’ll remember.

But she hasn’t even been here a month, and already, I feel like she’s changed my entire world. It’s true what Ian said. She’s turned me inside out and upside down. There is no way I can pretend she hasn’t picked the lockbox I keep my emotions stored in. She blew that motherfucker right open.

And for all of my bluster, my nothing-can-hurt-me, grumpy-as-fuck exterior, I’m not sure I ever want that box closed again. Not if it means I might lose the best thing to ever happen to me.

Because that’s what she is. This woman who took me by storm. Who has earned every crack in my armor with each of her smiles. Busted down all my walls with her joy and patience and love for my children. This woman who is much too beautiful and young to be with a fortysomething son of a bitch like me has wound her fist so tight around my heart, I don’t think it would ever work right again if she left.

So, I guess, there is only one thing to do.

Ring the bell. Bow out. And admit I am no match for Andrea Halton.

She’s won.

Chapter15

Andi

The stomach flu flattened me for nearly two days, and I could barely lift my head, let alone do my job. Griffin hired me to take care of the kids, but he ended up taking care of me. In my foggy memories of those forty-eight hours, I know he carried me downstairs, helped get me changed, even braided my hair. Then he cuddled me and talked to me for a long time, all but confessing his feelings for me.

I figured he’d get sick too, after being my nursemaid, sitting next to me while I threw up repeatedly, and bringing me fluids and snacks every two hours like clockwork. The man was nothing if not always on time and efficient.

But of course, Griffin remained healthy. I doubt anything short of a nuclear war could take him out. Which is all the better because his firehouse is hosting their annual fundraiser, and as the captain, he’s expected to be there.

The two blocks leading up to the firehouse are lined with cars, and I truly didn’t expect it to be this big. I assumed it was a small picnic, but there are people everywhere. Peppy music pumps from towers on either side of the building, and I have to lean into Logan and Grace to hear them when they ask if they can go play in the bounce house.

“Be careful,” I shout as they take off. “You’re big kids, so watch out for the little ones!”

Logan waves at me that he heard, and Griffin gazes down at me with soft eyes.

“What?” I ask, lifting my chin.

He lifts one shoulder, curling his hand around my hip. “I like hearing you, seeing you, with them. They listen to you. Respect you.”

“I hope so.” I laugh nervously, not sure if he’s surprised or happy about that. “You raised them to be respectful.”

“But you and I both know what they were like before. With the others.”

I’m not sure what to make of the fact that he won’t say the word “nanny” in this context. It feels like he doesn’t want to say there were others. Or maybe that’s only my interpretation. My silly little jealous notion. That not only do I not want him to have girlfriends, but I don’t want there to be other nannies either.

Still, I try to downplay it. “I think they needed someone to get on their level. To show they’re understood.”

His eyes make a circuit of my face, settling on my mouth. “And to put me in my place.”

“That, too.” I smile, and his gaze lifts to mine, humor crinkling his eyes.

“Come on, troublemaker.” He guides me through the crowd with a hand pressed against my lower back. We pass a fire truck parked out front where people are taking pictures in and around it. There are tables set up with pamphlets about fire safety and free first aid kits. There’s even somebody handing out plastic firefighter helmets. The guy offers me one, and I turn him down with a laugh.

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