Page 91 of Always Be Mine

Unable to speak, Lucy lifted her hand in a small wave. Before she, too, could make her escape, Ross chuckled and leaned in close.

“I guess old habits die hard, huh, Lucy? Fucking the boss again?”

Her stomach dropped and hot shame washed through her. “It’s not like that.” She took a step backward, away from Ross and his cruel words.

“It sure looks that way to me.” His laughter was harsh. “But I never would have guessed the nanny angle. That was a surprise. And here you were, trying to make me feel like I was in the wrong.”

Lucy glanced around for Maria. Surely Ross would shut up and leave once his wife reappeared, but she was nowhere to be seen. “You were.” She raised her voice a little, and quickly caught herself, aware they were in the middle of the Sugar Shack, surrounded by Craig’s friends, family, and pretty much everyone in town. The room felt both crowded and empty at the same time. She burned with shame and embarrassment, and wasn’t sure how she was still on her feet when she no longer could feel them holding her up.

Just as she thought she might collapse, a solid presence appeared at her side. He didn’t put his arm around her, but Craig’s presence buoyed her all the same.

“Ross, is it?” Craig greeted him, cooly, before looking to Lucy. “Is he bothering you?”

The relief she felt washed through her like a wave. He remembered and he cared, and now Craig was there to make it okay.

“You must be theboss.” Ross emphasized the word. “Lucy does have a thing for a man in authority.”

Craig’s hand curled into a fist and for a moment, Lucy was afraid he was going to hit Ross right there in the middle of everyone. But then, Asher and Chase were there as well.

“Everything okay?” Asher asked as he stared directly at Ross. “I would hate for there to be a scene tonight.”

“No scene.” Ross held up his hands and the carrier bag full of chocolate. “I was just buying some treats for my wife when I ran into an oldfriend.It’s nice to see that Lucy has a boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” Chase shook his head. “Lucy is Meri’s nanny.”

Why wouldn’t the floor just open up already?

“I was under the impression she was both.”

More than anything, Lucy hated the smug tone of Ross’s voice.

“Thenannyand also involved with her boss.”

Next to her, Lucy felt Craig tense.

“Oh shit,” Asher mumbled under his breath.

“I…um…” Lucy shook her head and looked to Craig for help. True, this wasn’t the way they wanted people to find out, but surely he wasn’t going to humiliate her in front of Ross and his brothers. Not like this. He wouldn’t do that to her. “It’s just?—”

“I’m not sure what you heard, or what you think you know,” Craig interrupted her.

He took a step toward Ross, and she exhaled. He was going to stand up for her. It would be okay. This humiliation would soon be a distant memory.

“Hell,” Craig continued. “I’m not even really sure who exactly you are or what you’re doing here. But what I do know is that Lucy is my daughter’s nanny, and she’s a damn good one. And you being here, in my shop, insinuating that there is anything inappropriate going on in any way, is just an insult.”

“I was just?—”

“I don’t care.” Craig held his hand out and gestured toward the door. “I think it’s time you left.”

Once more, Lucy thought she was going to collapse, but this time for a very different reason. She stared, open-mouthed, as Ross turned and left, and then she turned to Craig, but he wouldn’t meet her gaze.

Her knees buckled a little.

Asher reached out and put an arm around her shoulder. “Do you want to tell us what that was all about?”

Lucy exhaled a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. “That was my ex-boyfriend. He’s…well, it turns out he’s not the nicest person.”

“Yeah, I got that much.” Asher raised an eyebrow and looked at Chase, who picked up the line of questioning.

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