“Obsessed with color-coordinated schedules?”
“No.” He laughed. “No, I mean they…they were present. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like they’re actually hurting her or neglecting any of her needs. Technically. But—”
“They’re always gone,” I finished.
He nodded. “Even when they’re home.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything.” I paused. “But I think that’s partly why I took this job. When your mom told me they were looking for someone to stay with Jade, I knew I’d rather be the one with her than force her to find a new nanny. Again.” I watched as the balloons began to slowly revolve. “She’s been through at least…two. Three? Since the school year started. And every time she gets a new one, we fall back a step in class and have to make up lost ground. I wasn’t trying to usurp you. I promise. I just wanted to give her a little stability in her life.”
For the second time in eight days, he gave me that smile, the one without teasing or secrets or challenges in it. And as those blue eyes met mine, I tried to slow the uneven rhythm of my heart.
I turned to look back at Jade and snapped a picture with my phone. “Look at her,” I said, hoping my voice sounded even. “She’s doing great.”
“Yeah,” he said. When I glanced back at him, that smile still lingered in his eyes. “She is.”
And for the first time since meeting him, I felt completely at home. It was oddly like magic. Last week, standing beside him had made me feel like my body was on high alert. I nearly jumped every time he moved, and by the time I got home every night, I was exhausted from staying stiff as a board. But this…this was nice. There weren’t more than six inches between our arms, and for the first time, I couldn’t have cared less.
With this revelation came another that was slightly less comfortable. A dull ache hit my chest as I wished I had someone to stand beside me all the time. Not Derrick. He was engaged, as my subconscious had reminded me earlier. And an airman. Butsomeonewould be nice.
“Hey,” he said, looking at the ground with his hands in his pockets, “do you think…do you think your church might be a good fit for Jade? I really do want to take her to a church with a Sunday school she’d enjoy, but it’s hard to know what to try. And I know my parents are going to make a stink about giving up their Sundays, wherever I try to take her.”
I smiled. “I happen to know the Sunday school teacher for her grade at my church, and I don’t think she could find a better place.”
“Cool. Um, could you send me the address and name maybe?”
“Sure.” I had to laugh to myself as I texted him the information. I was already spending five days a week with him, and now we were edging up to a regular six. Was I really setting myself up to see him every day of this entire summer?
Something was wrong with me. And much to my horror, I didn’t mind.
Jade ended up loving the ride so much she insisted on going on it six more times. After the fourth time, I excused myself to make a call. Madison picked up on the second ring.
“Hey, you. You’re up early.”
I laughed. “Jade and Derrick dragged me down to Burns Park.”
“Well, that’s…nice of them?”
I kicked some loose gravel off the path. “Hey, Maddie? I just wanted to let you know that you were right.”
“I usually am. But what about?”
“I’m out with Derrick and Jade, and I realized that I think I do really want someone. You know, to have fun. To be with.”
Madison screeched. “I knew it! You do like him!”
“I’m not saying that! And I told you, he has a fiancée. And he’s in the military, so that’s definitely a no go. I only meant that…maybe someone like him. One day. You know, good with kids. Doesn’t mind getting a little dirty to have fun with them. I mean, I’m having fun. And I haven’t had fun like this in a long time. And so you were right.”
“Sam will be happy to hear that,” she muttered.
“What? No, don’t tell Sam. This is not a group conversation.” I might be ready to start seeing someone, but that didn’t mean I wanted it announced to the world.
Madison snorted. “Never mind. Hey, I gotta go. I’m about to meet the plumber so he can fix my sink. But Jess?”
“Yeah?”
“If he’s that off-limits, you’d better watch yourself for the next six weeks.”
I laughed and told her to go see to her plumber. After hanging up, I started the walk back to the ride as Jade started another trip in the balloons.
