Page 52 of Nanny for the Cowboy

Last night, I stayed awake, sitting in my bed and half expecting Brooks to knock on my door again—wanting it. It was a long while before exhaustion finally got me, and I passed out.

Embarrassed was an understatement when I woke up. I just can’t believe I let myself get all worked up like that. Brooks clearly isn’t going to make a move. He’s not…he’s not interested.

Don’t give up on him.

Rosie’s voice plays in my head, and I force myself to take another bite of my lunch. But I just don’t know about what she said. I want too. I do. But…I can’t keep getting my hopes up just to have them dashed.

“Clover?Clover?” Darby waves a hand in front of my face. “Hello?”

I shake myself, sitting upright in my chair. “I’m sorry. What? I was distracted.”

Darby laughs and points down to the table. “Your phone. It buzzed like three times.”

“Oh, right.” I laugh it off as best I can. “Thanks.”

Picking it up, I swipe open the screen and see I have three texts. When I open the messages app, I’m not surprised that they’re from Kyle.

That many that fast? Who else would it be?

I try to keep my expression neutral, my breathing even, as I look at the messages.

You think you can just ignore me? You ruined my life! If you won’t fix this, I swear to god you’ll pay for it.

And then…

You’ll never work in this town again, Clover. I’ll destroy everything you built if I have to.

And then…

My life is over because of you. You deserve the same fucking thing.

Nausea blooms, washing over me in a wave of heat. I don’t think I’m doing a particularly good job playing it cool because Darby looks over at me with a frown.

“You okay?” he asks.

“I’m fine. My stomach is just off.”

I offer a forced smile, tucking my phone away. Swallowing, I tell myself the same thing I have been since I left NYC.

Kyle can’t get to me here. He doesn’t know where I am, and I’m safe. He’s all talk, bravado, just like he always is. You’ve seen him act like this before. Sure, not to this degree, but Kyle’s bark is worse than his bite.

My pulse starts to calm some, and I try to take another bite of mac’n’cheese. It tastes like sandpaper.

Plopping my fork down, I sigh.

“You sure about being okay?”

Jumping slightly, I realize that Brooks is standing behind me at the door to the kitchen. He must’ve been there a minute, long enough to hear my conversation with Darby, long enough to see my reaction to the texts.

“Well, I was before you scared the crap out of me.” I turn and smile, playing it off. “I’m fine.”

Darby laughs, and I turn and glare. It’s enough to get him out of his seat, taking his bowl to the sink.

Brooks steps up to me, leaning on the island where we’ve been eating. “You know you’re safe here, Clover. I told you that.”

With a half-assed smile, I nod. “Yes, thank you.”

“I mean it.” He looks me dead in the eye, and I feel trapped by his gaze.

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