Once I was back in my soft shorts and drapey pajama shirt—my standard attire for tending to my plants—I batched the best of the dress pictures and sent them off to Nash.
There was no reason for me to be as anxious as I was, awaiting his response.“Business is business,” I said out loud as I filled up a tall cup with ice cubes, then poured the rest of that morning’s coffee into the cup.Like that would help the anxiety somehow.But iced coffee was life.I squealed when my phone lit up with a response from Nash.My heart raced like I was awaiting life or death news instead of some sexy man’s opinion about a damn dress.
NASH: Tough choice.
CLARA: Honestly I loved them all.
NASH: Do the blue one.It’s perfect.I’ll send some other things to go with.
I squealed into my palm.That settled that.
CLARA: What should I do with the others?Send that sweet man back and I’ll pack the dresses up for him to return.
NASH: Return?No, they’re yours.
Tears pricked my eyes, though I couldn’t entirely explain why.I raced back to my bedroom, abandoning the coffee.I looked at the dresses again—mine—and felt another surge of emotion.
This convenient arrangement was going to take some getting used to.
I leaned against the door frame, drawing deep breaths, only moving when my phone rang from the kitchen.I answered it, hoping it would be Nash, but it was Sarah.
The babysitter.
“Clara, I’m so sorry.”Sarah’s normally bright voice sounded muffled and congested.“I’m not going to be able to watch Mia tonight like I said.I woke up with a fever, and I don’t want her to get sick.”
My stomach sank to my feet.“Oh no, Sarah.I’m so sorry.”Panic began zipping through me, reminding me that tonight was non-negotiable.Ineededto go.“Is there…”any chance you could still comealmost passed my lips, but I caught myself.“Anything you need?”
“Sleep.”She laughed weakly.“I’m sorry again.”
“Rest up.And thanks for letting me know.”After I hung up, I stared at the phone.Tonight was the first required appearance.The first real test of whether I could hold up my end of the deal.If I couldn't even manage to show up...
I sprang into action and called Preston.For God’s sake, could my baby daddy help a girl out once in his life?
Apparently not.It went straight to voicemail, which meant he was either out of town or at a conference or just really eager to never hear from me again.
I tried my neighbor, Mrs.Rodriguez, but she was visiting her sister in New Jersey.
And Zoey was in Philadelphia for work.
I was running out of options.Even though that midnight dress in there needed me to put it on tonight, I might have to leave it sad and alone on the hanger.
My hands were shaking as I dialed Nash's number, already dreading having to tell him I’d failed at the first task required of me.
“Hey, Clara.”Even in my despair, his whiskey smooth voice reassured me.I swallowed hard, steeling myself to break the bad news.
"Nash, I have a problem."My voice cracked slightly."My babysitter just canceled.She's sick and I can't find anyone else and Preston isn't answering his phone and—"
“Slow down.”His voice was the equivalent of a hand on my back, urging me to breathe.“We can figure this out.”
“But I’ve already asked everyone I know.”I hated that my voice was shaking.“I can’t leave Mia alone, Nash, it’s not an option.And I know I can’t bring her with us.I just—”
“Take a deep breath, Clara.I promise we’ll find a solution.”
“Turn Mia’s biological father into an involved parent?I don’t know if there’s any way to do that.”I couldn’t keep the snark out of my voice.
“I’m not talking about a lobotomy,” Nash replied coolly.“I’ll get ahold of a nanny concierge service.”
I could hardly process this concept.“A…what?”
