Page 6 of Rejected Nanny Mate
“I can think of plenty of reasons.” His voice was flat, cold, and a chill swept through my veins.
“I'm not lying,” I was pleading with him now, tears blurring the edges of my vision. “I've been wanting to tell you for a while now, and last night, you know, the kiss...that was amazing. And I just thought that you would—”
He laughed, but it was cruel. “I'm not here for a relationship, Gwen. Or for love, or anything like that.”
The air rushed out of my lungs. “What do you mean?”
For a second, he had looked unsure, but then he shrugged, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I just thought we were having fun.”
“Well, yes, we were,” I said, the tears spilling over.
“It's not going to get serious, okay? That's not something I'm interested in.”
“What were you interested in?” I cried.
“This,” he motioned to the space between us. “It was just some fun.”
“That's it?” I whispered, and when Joe nodded, my heart sank.
“That's it,” he said, and the finality of the statement made me feel like I was dying.
I managed to not reach out for him when he turned and walked away, but just barely. When I'd gone back inside, I'd toldScott I was sick and needed to go home for the day, and spent the rest of the night crying my eyes out on my sofa.
I'd been so stupid. So naive. And I'd just accidentally accepted a position that would have me living with the man I thought I loved, who'd rejected me like I was nothing, and I had no way out of it.
I pressed my hand to my chest, feeling that unwelcome but familiar tightness starting to build. Kiera noticed and jumped up to get me a glass of water while I tried to breathe through the anxiety before it became too overwhelming. To Kiera's credit, she didn't ask me any other questions about Joe or the nannying job, but just rubbed my back while I sipped at the cold water and breathed slowly.
“It's gonna be okay,” she murmured. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really,” I mumbled. “Not now, at least. I... I just can't do it, okay? Joe is going to have to find someone else.”
“Gwen...”
When I was sure I wasn't about to crumble into pieces, I stood and grabbed my things. “I have to go. I'll call you tonight or tomorrow, I promise. I just need some time alone.”
Kiera's blue eyes were bright with worry, and I had to look away before I started crying again. “If you're sure. Are you okay to drive?”
“Yes,” I said, nodding quickly. “I'm fine. Promise. Just...tell Joe I'm sorry.”
I left Kiera's place, feeling both better and worse. I was relieved she wasn't going to push the issue, but not as thrilled about her news. Joe Longwood had a daughter. A baby. I felt a wave of sadness at the thought. At one time, I was sure we'd betogether, and maybe have a family, but he'd gone and had a baby with someone else. I knew it was foolish to feel sad about it, but I couldn't help myself.
It was impossible to wrap my mind around, even though I'd had an entire afternoon to try and process it. Joe wasn't a family guy. He was a bachelor and not the type to settle down. In fact, if anyone had asked me if Joe would ever have a kid, I would have laughed in their face. Just like Joe had laughed in mine when I confessed that I loved him.
That's probably why, I realized. This was just another way he was going to laugh at me. Oh, look at silly Gwen, sad because her fantasies were well and truly squashed now.
When the tears started flowing again, I decided I'd had enough for the day. There was no use in dwelling on the past, and besides, now that I knew what was happening, I was sure I'd find a way out of it. Kiera and Joe would have to find someone else, and if they didn't, well, that wasn't my problem.
It figured that as soon as I found my place in the Saltfang pack, part of the trio with Kiera and Nayeli, something would pop up to drive me away. I had a cousin who lived in South Carolina, and while I hadn't seen her in years, maybe it was time for me to take an impromptu vacation. By the time I returned, Joe would have found his new nanny, and I'd be free to just exist again, not having to think about the Brokenclaw Alpha and all the stupid things he made me feel.
Back at my apartment, I started to pack as swiftly as possible. I wasn't too worried about my job, especially since Scott was under the impression I'd be nannying for Joe and had assumedly taken me off the schedule for the time being, anyway. It wasn't much, but it was something. I'd miss the cafe and the people there, but the idea of not seeing Joe's smiling face andtaking care of the baby he'd had with another woman every morning was a relief.
The trip would be a nice refresh, and with any luck, I'd be back within a week. Just a little getaway. A quick visit to let my cousin know what was going on and a chance to clear my head. I would have preferred the woods or a mountain, but at least my cousin was close to the beach. I was sure she wouldn't mind me crashing her house for a few days, especially once she heard the whole story.
I drove an old Mercury, and my biggest worry was whether it would be able to make the drive or not. There wasn't much I could do about it at the moment, and within an hour, I was throwing my duffle back in the trunk. With the thought of the windows rolled down, the radio, and the road stretched out ahead, I was starting to feel better already. The farther away from home, the better.
Feeling like I was right on the verge of escape, and thrilled that I had found a way out of my situation without having to spill the embarrassing details to my friends, I grabbed the driver door handle and started to pull—
When a huge hand landed on the door above mine.
