“Hello?”
“Hey, Winnie, it’s Jamie.”
“Hey, what’s up?”
“I was wondering if you were free to spend the day with us?I want to make sure Tali can spend time with you before the season starts and we only have a week.”
I can hear the nervousness and hesitation in his voice.It’s so sweet how much he worries about his daughter.It’s something I don’t see very often.
“Of course.I was just packing up my last box.Give me twenty minutes to get cleaned up and I’ll be ready.”
“Ok.I was thinking…” He trails off.I grin as I wait for him to continue.Jamie can be really awkward, but I honestly love that about him.
He doesn’t try to put on a show or make people like him.He’s just him and he doesn’t seem to care if you don’t like that.
“Yeah?”I push when he doesn’t continue.
“Holy crap, this is hard.”He chuckles on the other end of the line.
“We’re friends, Jamie.You can talk to me about anything.”
“Are we?Friends, I mean?”The surprise in his tone makes me laugh.He’s adorable.
“I'll be living in your house and spending most of my day with your daughter.I hope we’re friends, otherwise things are about to get awkward.”
“I'm sorry.The last nanny I had was old enough to be my mother.I didn’t view her as a friend, I guess I viewed her as a stand-in grandmother for Tali.”
“Then you can view me as a stand-in… aunt.”I almost slip up and say mother, but not only would that be weird, I also don’t want to offend him when his wife died two years ago.When his wife never got to be a mother to his baby.
“I was thinking maybe you should have Wheeler and Smithy help you move,” He blurts out in one quick breath.
“Are you sure?I don’t want you to do anything you’re not ready to do.”
“No?But you’re right.I can't keep Tali a secret forever, it’s not fair to anyone.”
“Ok.When do you want me to have them help?”
“Is this weekend too soon?”The hesitation in his voice is back.It always brings a smile to my face.He doesn’t tell me what to do, he asks permission.
“Jamie,” I say softly.“You’re my boss.You’re supposed to tell me what you want me to do and I'm supposed to listen.”
“I'm not a good boss.”
“I think you’ll be an amazing boss.”
“Well, don’t expect too much.I might lose my mind if I have to worry about being a good boss, dad, and center fielder.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.”I chuckle.“You do what you need to and I’ll pick up the pieces at home.”
Chapter 5
Schmidt
Ipacethelivingroom as I wait for Winnie to show up.I keep telling myself I'm just walking with Tali until she falls asleep, but her breathing evened out fifteen minutes ago.I should be placing her in her crib or sitting down with her.It’s ridiculous for me to still be walking, yet I can't stop myself.I'm so nervous about seeing Winnie again.
Her car pulls down my driveway a few moments later and I practically sprint to the door.I swing it open before she can even get out of the car and head her way.
“Hey!”She smiles as she climbs out of her SUV and grabs her purse.
