“Just wondering. He seems like he’d be a good dad once he figures out the baby stuff.”
I flip the sandwiches, trying not to think about Jordan as a father. About what kind of life he might want. About whether that life might include someone like me.
For all I know, he has a girlfriend. Or he’s not dating right now. Or he’s not even interested in women.
Or he’s not interested inme.
That last one seems the most likely. The only thing I bring to his table is my baby skills. Not that I’m complaining. Those skills are now money in my pocket that will be taking care of my car payment.
“Maybe,” I say. “But right now, he’s just focused on taking care of Henry.”
We eat dinner while Ash tells me more about his conversation with Jordan about superheroes. Apparently, Jordan’s favorite is Iron Man because he likes the science behind the suit.
“Can we watch a movie?” Ash asks after we’ve cleaned up.
“What did you have in mind?”
“Something with superheroes?”
I laugh. “Why am I not surprised?”
We settle on the couch withThe Incredibles, one of Ash’s favorites. He curls up next to me, his head on my shoulder, and for the first time in weeks, I feel like maybe everything is going to be okay.
Halfway through the movie, Ash’s breathing evens out. His weight becomes heavier against my side, and when I look down, his eyes are closed. I carefully extract myself from under him, covering him with the throw blanket from the back of the couch.
The kitchen is quiet as I pour myself a glass of wine, the kind of quiet that comes after a full day. Through the window, I can see lights on in Jordan’s house. I wonder if he’s struggling with Henry’s bedtime routine or if the baby went down easily.
The back porch welcomes me with cool evening air and the distant sounds of the neighborhood settling in for the night. I get comfy in my favorite chair, wine in hand, and let myself process the day.
Three hundred dollars. Fifty an hour. A job that lets me bring Ash with me and pays better than anything I’ve applied for in weeks.
It should feel like a miracle. And it does, mostly.
I pull out my phone and scroll to Esme’s contact. She picks up on the second ring.
“Please tell me you’re calling with good news about a job interview.”
“Better. I got a job.”
“What? Where? When do you start? How much does it pay?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Complicated how?”
I lean back in my chair, watching Jordan’s silhouette move past a window. “It’s my neighbor. The doctor who lives next door. He needs help taking care of his nephew, and he hired me to teach him the basics.”
“The hot doctor neighbor?”
“I never said he was hot.”
“You didn’t have to. I’ve seen him.” A pause. “Wait—why does he need help with his nephew? Where’s the baby’s mother?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask.” I take a sip of wine. “He just said he’s watching the baby for a while.”
“That’s weird, right? I mean, people don’t usually take over caring for their siblings’ kids unless something serious happened.”
“I thought the same thing. But it’s not really my business.”
