“I know and I understand.I’ll miss your entire family, but I can't work for you forever… Do you know anything about this new job?I’d like to not go in blind.”
“I don’t blame you one bit.”I can hear the smile in her voice and it makes a smile spread across my own lips.“Martha gushes about the little girl constantly.She’s around two years old and the sweetest thing ever.”
“What about the dad?”
“I don’t know much about him.Martha’s a grandmom.She only cares about the little babies.”
My phone dings with another call coming through.I debate on ignoring the unknown caller, but decide against it.
“Hey, Karen?I have another call.Can I call you back later?”
“Of course, sweetie.Have a good day and let me know what happens.”
“Bye!”I quickly accept the new call as my hand connects with my shoe I was looking for.“Hello?”
“Hey… uhh… I'm looking for Winnie,” a deep voice rumbles through the line.
“This is her.”I fist pump the air as I tug my shoe out and struggle to get to my feet.It’s not easy with only one heel on.
“Ok.This is Jamie.I got your number from Martha and Martha got it from… Karen… I think?”The nervousness in his tone makes me chuckle.He seems really sweet and innocent.
“Yes.I was actually just on the phone with Karen and she let me know I’d probably be hearing from you.”
“Oh, ok.Good.”I imagine he’s nodding his head, trying to figure out what to say next.He’s so awkward, but I love it.That means he won't be flirting with me or making things weird in that sort of way.
“Hey, Jamie?”
“Yeah?”
“Why don’t you give me your address and let me know a good time for us to meet?I think this would be easier and less awkward if we could talk in person.”
“Thanks, Winnie,” he breathes out a sigh of relief before rattling off his address.“I'm free all day if that works for your schedule.”
“I can be there in twenty minutes.”
I eye the large brick home as I climb out of my car.It’s fairly similar to Wheeler’s house, but somehow this seems quieter and more peaceful than Wheeler’s place.I hope that means Jamie’s calmer than Wheeler and more of a grown up.
My heels click against the concrete driveway as I head towards the door and climb the slate stairs.I raise my hand to knock, but the door is tugged open before I can.
“Hey, I'm Jamie.It’s nice to meet you.”He thrusts his hand in my direction and I eye him carefully.He looks familiar, but I can't place where I know him from.
His black hair is tussled, looking like he’s run his hands through it a million times.He looks tired, but he’s a single dad, so that’s not surprising.His t-shirt clings to his body, showing off lean muscles and a body he has to work hard to maintain.I'm surprised he finds the time to work out when he has a young child.
“I'm Winnie.It’s nice to meet you too.”
A shriek comes from the other room, pulling both of our attentions with it.Jamie sighs and scrubs a hand down his face.
“C’mon in.Let me go get the little princess.She barely slept last night and doesn’t seem to want to take a nap today.”
I follow him through the house and into a large living room.There’s a little girl sitting in a big sectioned off area of the room.She’s surrounded by toys and screaming like her life depends on it.
“Tali, it’s ok, baby girl.”Jamie scoops her up and cradles her against his chest.He murmurs something softly to her as he sways her side to side.
She’s so tired.I can see it in her face and in the way her eyes keep closing slowly before popping open again.She’s adorable with her hair pulled into a pony at the top of her hair.It makes the strands look like a fountain and probably the most adorable hairstyle on a little girl.
Jamie ignores me as he continues rocking his daughter in his arms.He rubs a hand up and down her back as he moves her onto his shoulder and bounces a little.He’s a good dad and he truly loves his daughter, you can see it in how he’s taking care of her right now.
“Sorry.Give me a second and I’ll have her asleep, then we can talk,” he says softly.“I think she’s finally giving in to the nap.”
