Could I be crazy for even thinking about offering to nanny for them?The idea bubbled up in my mind, a reckless notion wrapped in hope. But then, wasn’t that exactly the kind of chance I needed? Still, what if they laughed me off? What if I wasn’t enough? My heart hammered in my chest.
“Okay, so one vanilla black coffee… and how about a cinnamon dolce? Does that sound appealing to you?” I asked hesitantly, trying to gauge their reactions.
“Oh! That sounds divine, Dolce Bambino!” the woman exclaimed, her voice bright and full of excitement. I loved how she called her son ‘Dolce Bambino’—sweet baby. It was such a stark contrast to the tough exterior he wore.
As I turned to prepare their drinks, I caught Gabriel gently lifting the baby when she started fussing, his touch careful andtender despite the grim set of his jaw. My chest tightened. How did he manage to keep such a cool exterior while clearly caring so much underneath? My ovaries definitely protested at the sight.
When I returned with their drinks, I placed the cups gently on the table. “Here you go! I hope you enjoy your drinks. If there’s anything else you need, just ask.” I smiled, keeping my composure despite the fluttering in my stomach.
They waited, the minutes stretching endlessly. Finally, the door swung open, and a girl strolled in who looked younger than Lucie—barely out of high school, judging by her scant crop top and shorts that screamed “inexperienced.” My heart sank a little. This wasn’t looking good.
She recognized them immediately and slid into the seat without hesitation. For a moment, the conversation was polite, but I could see the tension under the surface. Gabriel’s mother was warm but cautious. Gabriel himself? A brick wall.
“So, what are your credentials?” Gabriel’s voice cut sharply across the room, calm but loaded with skepticism.
The girl rolled her eyes, bored. “Oh, ya know. I just need a job for the summer, and this seemed easy enough. I mean, it’s a baby, so it doesn’t do much.”
I watched Gabriel stiffen. I saw his jaw clench, his fists tightening on the table. He’s trying to stay calm, but I could feel the frustration simmering just below.
“Infants require more attention than you seem to realize,” his mother said, her voice gentle but firm. “We will reach out once we meet with the other applicants.”
The girl stood and left without a backward glance, clearly unfazed by the rejection.
Gabriel muttered under his breath, “That went terribly.”
My gaze flicked between them, then back to the counter. My heart raced—should I just keep quiet? But something stirred inside me.
I’m about to head back to the counter when, suddenly, I findmyself walking over to their table, pulling out a chair as I place a plate of brownies on the table.
“Even though we’ve only just met, I’d be happy to look after your daughter while you’re at work. I’m free, and I have experience.”
My voice is steady—miraculously—but my heart is pounding so loudly I’m sure the baby can hear it.
Gabriel’s eyes lift to mine, sharp and assessing. His expression shifts rapidly from surprise to something colder. His brows draw together as he leans back, arms crossing tightly over his chest.
“Are you out of your mind?” he says flatly.
His tone isn’t just skeptical—it’s borderline incredulous. “Are you seriously suggesting that I letyou, a woman I’ve known forless than a week, babysit my daughter?”
I feel the heat crawl up my neck, but I hold my ground. “Yes,” I say. “I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t confident.”
He snorts softly, shaking his head. “You think confidence qualifies you to take care of an infant?”
“Gabriel,” his mother starts, but he cuts her off with a single raised hand.
“No, no, if she wants to play nanny, let’s treat this like a real interview.” He turns to me, his gaze razor sharp. “How many years of childcare experience do you have?”
“Four,” I answer, sitting up straighter. “Two as a live-in nanny during college, and two more as a weekend babysitter for a family with three kids under six.”
He nods once, but his eyes remain hard. “CPR certified?”
“Yes.”
“First aid training?”
“Yes. Renewed last November.”
“References?”
