“It will only take thirty minutes, I promise. I’ll give you a thousand dollars.”
I stand up instantly with Noah in my arms. “Happy to help. James, are you coming with me?”
James looks like he wants to object, but doesn’t have a good reason to say no.
“I guess we can help you for thirty minutes. What are neighbors for?”
“You’re a lifesaver. I owe you, James. Seriously. Whatever you want. I’ll buy you a car.”
“Just pay your rent on time.”
“Let’s meet your friend,” I tell Noah as I walk past Grayson.
I swear he glances at my chest.
“I’m Caroline,” I tell him. “By the way.”
He doesn’t even have the decency to look shamefaced that he hasn’t asked my name.
Nor does he offer his.
CHAPTER4
James
I don't knowGrayson Ross well.
He’s from Honeysuckle Harbor, so I’ve knownofhim, of course. The town’s not big enough to have too many complete strangers. But we’ve never been more than passing acquaintances. Until now, I guess. He’s our new tenant and neighbor.
All that said, I’ve definitely had an impression of Grayson Ross, of someone in control. An impression that completely shatters when I follow Caroline into his apartment. Grayson himself looked like a mess, and I wasn’t letting her come over here by herself. But it’s not just Grayson that’s a mess. His apartment looks like a tornado hit it. A baby tornado. I don’t mean a small, baby-sized tornado, I mean a tornado of babystuff.
His couch is draped in baby blankets, a couple of onesies, and there’s a package of diapers where throw pillows should be.
His coffee table is covered in more diapers, a canister of formula, some toys, some manila folders, and a couple of empty coffee cups. There is a baby swing, a jumper, a playpen, and a stroller sitting haphazardly around the room.
A highchair sits near the breakfast bar, covered in smears of various colored mush.
And the whole place smells like baby formula, and dirty diapers.
“Excuse the mess,” Grayson says roughly. “It’s been a hell of a few days.”
“You sure you only need help during the next thirty minutes?” Caroline asks, looking around curiously.
Grayson watches her. “Oh no, I definitely need more help than that. But right now, I’m taking life thirty minutes at a time.”
He looks at the clock on the wall, sighs heavily, and hands his baby girl to Caroline.
“This is Evelyn.”
Evelyn scowls at Caroline.
Caroline takes her. “Hi Evelyn,” she says sweetly. “I’m Caroline.”
She balances the baby on her hip, smiling at her, bouncing slightly.
Evelyn is studying her carefully but looks perturbed.
I stroke my hand over Noah’s head. He’s sleeping peacefully right now, but I have never seen my son frown other than a few times before he filled his diaper.
