Page 79 of The Nanny and the Beefcake
She shrugged. “My O is back, at least for the time being, but my chi is still whacked out. Except for when Sebastian’s grandmother asked if I’d keep her great-grandson safe.”
“Of course, you’ll keep him safe,” Penny remarked. “You’re great with kids.”
Libby shook her head. “The energy inside me went beyond wanting to keep Sebastian safe. It was weird. The same thing happened just now when I held his hand. It was like he was mine—like a force brought us together for a reason.”
“And what about Raz?” Char pressed.
“Thanks to that stunt outside the gym, we’re stuck together for sixty days,” she answered. “And you know all about the whole spiritual advisor business and Anders and Alec’s tuition. The agency paid half now and will pay the other half after the fight.”
“Covering the boys’ tuition takes a huge burden off your shoulders,” Char offered.
Her friend was right, but it didn’t diminish the weight entirely. It complicated things even more.
She was well and truly stuck with boxing’s Lion.
Penny leaned in. “What happens now?”
Libby sighed. It was as if she’d lived a thousand lives in the space of a day. She needed something to ground her, something to even out her erratic energy. Then she remembered the stone. She removed the smooth aquamarine gemstone from her pocket and rubbed her thumb along the polished surface.
“I haven’t seen that in ages,” Charlotte said, staring down at the stone.
Libby glanced from the object to her friend. “What do you mean? I just got this.”
“Didn’t you have one like it when we were kids?” Char asked, studying the blue-green object.
Libby stared at it, turning it over in her hand. “I don’t think so.” Then again, there had been something familiar about Ida, or that could have been her wobbly chi leading her astray.
“New subject,” Penny announced. “When are you headed to that town near Aspen? What’s the name again?”
Libby returned the aquamarine stone to her pocket. “It’s called Rickety Rock. A perfect name for someone with rickety, unsteady chi.”
“Maybe you and Raz will click there. A change of scenery might be good for you guys,” Charlotte offered, sharing a look with Penny.
Libby knew that look. “I might be a vibrator throwing crazy lady, but I see what you’re doing. Just because you two ended up with Mitch and Rowen doesn’t mean I’m destined to be with Erasmus Cress. You know that’s not in the cards for me. It never will be. And you both know why.”
“Oh, Libbs,” Char chimed. “Not every guy is bad news.”
She sighed as her heart ached. “I can’t take the chance.”
Libby scanned the playground. Sebastian, Oscar, and Phoebe had migrated to the swings. She observed Sebastian as he pumped his legs. The boy leaned back, sailing through the air, laughing with his new friends.
“I’m sorry your dad’s disappointed you,” Penny offered gently.
Libby stared up at the sky. “Disappointed is an understatement. He’s always trying to make a quick buck with some crazy scheme and wants to use me as his bank.”
Penny and Char each took one of her hands.
“If Harper were here,” Char said, then bumped her shoulder playfully, “she’d tell you she’d happily kick your father in the nuts.”
“Or drop a cup of hot coffee on his lap,” Penny added, bumping her other shoulder.
Libby nodded, blinking back tears.
What would she do without these women?
“Just keep an open mind with Erasmus,” Penny continued.
“You never know. People can surprise you,” Char added.
