Page 48 of Nanny for the Firefighters

I nod, feeling a sense of peace settle over me. "Yeah. And the first step is getting you home. You're not exactly dressed for a midnight run."

She laughs, a genuine, light-hearted sound. "Neither are you, Mr. Towel."

I glance down at the precariously draped towel and shrug. "Guess we make quite the pair."

Caught up as we are with each other, both of us basically jump out of our skins when Marcus's voice floats from behind. "Hello."

I turn around. Marcus, Theo, and Will are all standing there, arms crossed. I'm pretty sure they've heard everything.

But if there's one thing about our brotherhood, it's that I can make a bigger fool of myself and they'll understand.

"We want you to talk to you too, Ella," says Will, stepping forward. "If you?—"

"Guys, I really appreciate you all being here," I interrupt. "But can we have the rest of the discussion back at Marcus's place, and once I'm a little less naked?"

Ella's laugh is sweeter this time. She lets us lead her back to Marcus's place. Once we're in, I take a moment to put my clothes back on.

The others are in the living room. One of the guys has fixed Ella up with a cappuccino. The heady smells of cinnamon and dark roasted beans greets me as I enter. Ella is sitting, head down, inhaling the fumes as she sips her beverage.

She is all almond eyes and damp hair, slow smile and sweetness.

It's different. I want more. I want everything.

From the expressions on the faces of the others, they're feeling the same way.

Honestly, I'm glad. I'm glad she'll know the biggest kind of love there can be. No one will hurt her, not with four firefighters around. She's our girl.

Will is leaning against the wall, trying to look casual but failing miserably. Theo is perched on the edge of a chair, his usual calm demeanor slightly ruffled. Marcus, the man of the hour, shoots me a look. It's a question. He's asking if I'd be okay with this arrangement. Out of love is one thing, but in it?

I nod back at him. It's not just okay. It's right.

"Alright, team meeting," Marcus says, clapping his hands together. Ella looks up, startled. She blinks at Will. "What did you want to say to me?"

Will looks at Marcus.

"What's going on?" she asks again, her voice dropping. "Guys?"

"We need to make this official," Theo says, leaning forward. "We've danced around it long enough."

Will grins, pushing off the wall. "We've all talked about it, Ella. We all have feelings for you, and we all want this to work. Together."

She looks at us, her eyes wide but soft. "I know," she says quietly. "I've felt the same way. But can this really work?"

"It can," Marcus says, sitting down next to her. "If we're all in agreement and committed to making it work."

I step closer, taking her other hand. "Ella, none of us wants to step aside. We want you to be with all of us. We want to give this a real shot."

Her eyes fill with tears, and she looks at each of us in turn. "But I… What if it doesn't work?"

"We'll figure it out," Will says, coming to sit on the coffee table in front of her. "Together. We're stronger together."

"And it won't change your position as a nanny," Marcus says, his eyes searching her face. "You've more than earned your keep. Lily loves you. We'd never take away from that."

She sniffles, wiping her eyes. "You're all really okay with this? With sharing?"

"Absolutely," Theo says, his dry humor cutting through the tension. "You're worth it, Ella. Every bit of it."

Marcus leans in and kisses her forehead. "You're special, Ella. We don't want to lose you. Not any of us."