Page 49 of Mended Hearts

“Happy Thanksgiving,” Emma echoed woodenly. She’d just come back from college over the summer, and based on the palpable tension between her and Mav…

“Do you two know each other?” I blurted.

“Oh. We’reacquainted,” Emma replied in a tone that said it all. “Met at school.”

Before I could demand context, Ollie rounded the corner, looking so unfairly handsome in his perfectly tailored black suit—ridiculous turkey tie and all.

“Hey, Trouble,” he said with that crooked smile. “You got a sec?”

8

Fresh Outta Nannies

OLIVER

“Before you go getting all stubborn and digging in your heels, just hear me out.” Not my smoothest opening line to a negotiation. In my defense, the day had been long, the house was loud—even behind the study’s closed door—and my kids had barely re-composed themselves after Carly ‘came to visit them’ for Thanksgiving. I needed a goddamn restraining order at this point. As it was, security would no longer be permitting her onto the property. I was so far past sick of her shit, it wasn’t funny.

“Thirty seconds,” Leigh said with a devilish smile.

Well, someone looked like she was feeling better. Fuck, she looked incredible. Not that I could say that.

“Deal. No interruptions.”

“I do believe we’ve managed an abundance of conversations without arguing.”

“Can you just agree to let me get this out?”

“Christ, Ollie,” she muttered—but there wasn’t any bite in it. Her smile grew as she shook her head. “I can’t stay mad at you, jackass. You meant well.” She held out an expectant pinky. “I solemnly swear I will hear you out.”

Relief whooshed through me. At least for now, our mountain-goat-worthy head-butting seemed resolved. I wrapped my pinky around hers and we shook.

The instant I let her hand go, her brows arched expectantly. I took a breath, trying to figure out how to frame this. What angle gave me the best shot?

“You love my kids. And they love you.”

She snorted, leveling me with a playful glare. “That’s not news.”

“What did I say about interrupting?”

“That stipulation was agreed to when I thought you had a point.”

“You’re at my house all the time.”

“Again—that’s not?—”

I darted my hand up, pressing my fingers lightly to her lips. Her breath hitched, those steel-blue eyes widened, and her lips parted beneath my touch. My blood roared. I pulled back like I’d been burned, and we both swallowed.

I cleared my throat. “Listen, Trouble, I’m in a pinch. And frankly, I trust you more than anybody else in my life. I mean, my life’s a fucking dumpster fire right now. Honestly, I’m just kinda sick of everything and?—”

“Ollie,” she cut in, softer this time. “What do you need?Say the word.”

I exhaled. “I’m fresh outta nannies.”

“What!?” She practically choked.

“Carly scared off Oaklyn.”

She scowled. “What a useless fucking cuntcake. What is her fucking problem, anyway?”

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