Page 11 of Nanny for the Firefighters

"I'd be living with them?" I clarify, trying to get a handle on the specifics. "At Marcus's place?"

"Exactly." Ethan nods enthusiastically. "You'd have your own part of the house. Marcus is at the station a lot, so he really needs someone trustworthy around. And from what I've seen and heard tonight, I think you could be a great fit."

I chew on my lip, considering. It's not just the financial relief that tempts me. It's the chance to maybe start fresh, even in a capacity I thought I'd sworn off. "What about my hours? I mean, would I have time for… for anything else?"

"Oh, totally," Ethan assures me. "Marcus is super flexible. He wants Lily to have a stable presence, but he understands personal time. You'd coordinate directly with him, figure out a schedule that works for everyone."

I take a deep breath, letting the idea swirl around in my mind. The practical part of me—the part that's been stressing over rent and bills—leans into the security the position offers. The independent part of me hesitates at the thought of stepping back into a role I thought I'd left behind.

"And I'd meet them first, right? Get to know Lily and see the living situation?" I ask, needing to know I'd have an out if it didn't feel right.

"Of course! Marcus would insist on that. He'd want you to feel comfortable, too," Ethan replies, his voice sincere.

I nod slowly, the gears in my mind turning. "Okay, I'll think about it. It does sound like a good deal… I just need to digest it a bit."

"Take all the time you need," Ethan says, a smile breaking across his face. "I'll let Marcus know you're interested, and we can set up a time for you to come by."

We stand, pulling on our jackets as we prepare to face the chilly evening air outside. As Ethan holds the door open for me, the reality of the situation begins to settle in. This could be the break I need, the anchor to pull me out of my current spiral.

"Thanks, Ethan," I say, stepping out into the night. "For dinner and for… well, for offering me a lifeline."

He laughs softly. "What are friends for, right? I'll talk to Marcus tonight. We'll get something sorted out soon."

I walk home, and the cool air feels less biting than before, filled instead with the potential of new beginnings.

Maybe, just maybe, this could work.

Once I get home, I curl up on the sofa with my laptop and attach my resume to an email.

"Here goes nothing," I mutter to myself as I click Send.

5

WILL

The stationary bike signals the end of my training program as I flip to the last page of the first chapter of The Picture of Dorian Gray. It reflects the morality of beauty and youth and influence.

I wipe the sweat from my brow with a towel and lean back to take a deep breath.

The training room is empty but for me, filled with equipment—treadmills, weight benches, free weights, and some specialty machines to help train smaller muscles that make us faster and stronger, to give us better reflexes.

Red and white walls highlight our insignia on the far wall, and the fluorescent lights buzz with the energy still thrumming through my veins.

Dorian Gray loved the painting of himself and demanded it be put on display, but the artist felt too exposed to do so. I feel a connection with Basil, desiring to keep my real self inside, hidden. It's easy to do in this job, although not as easy as it was in IT.

I was practically invisible then, to my coworkers, to my family.

Sucking in a deep breath, I spot Ethan as he bursts into the training gym. My firefighter brothers, however, see more of me than anyone else has. Even if it's to my detriment at times. Cue the overbearing interaction about to happen.

Patting my face again, I brace for whatever Ethan is ready to barrel at me. I raise a brow at him.

"I think I found a solution to our nanny problem."

Well, that is a surprise. I stand from the bike and close the book. "I'm scared to ask, but I will. What is your solution?"

Ethan rubs his hands together, his tousled hair a bit wilder than usual, which gives me misgivings about what he's about to propose. "Ella, the woman I met at the diner. I found her again, and guess what? She needs a job. She's good with kids. She's got the credentials. And I got her to agree to send her resume to Marcus. Dude, I have a good feeling about this one."

"You mean, you want to feel this one." My deadpan tone earns me a punch in the arm, and I push Ethan away. "Please tell me this isn't a ploy to get into her pants."