“I have three, all local. I can text them to you.”
He squints slightly. “Ever cared for an infant under six months?”
I hesitate—only for a second—but he catches it. “Not full-time. But I’ve shadowed a NICU nurse during a college internship. And I helped care for a newborn while babysitting full-time during a postpartum recovery.”
Gabriel doesn’t respond immediately. He’s staring, eyes narrowed, as if trying to see through me.
“Why?” he finally asks. “Why would you even offer? You have a business to run. You don’t even know us.”
I pause, becausethisquestion matters more than any of the others. He’s not asking out of suspicion now—he’s asking out of something deeper. Fear, maybe. Hurt.
“I guess,” I say slowly, “because I see how much you love her. Because you care enough to ask the right questions when other people don’t. And because… sometimes, when something feels right, you say yes and figure out the details later.”
His mother lets out a soft, “Aww,” but Gabriel keeps staring.
He doesn’t trust me. Not yet. Maybe not ever.But there’s something shifting behind his eyes.
“And what if something happens while I’m not there?” he asks, voice quieter now.
“Then I do everything in my power to make sure your daughter is safe, cared for, and happy. And I call you the second something doesn’t feel right.”
Another silence stretches between us.
His mother places a hand over his. “Let her help you, Gabriel.”
He sighs through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. Then, reluctantly, he reaches for a napkin and a pen from his coat pocket. His writing is quick and tense, but legible.
“Text me tonight,” he says, handing it to me. “We’ll try it. One day. You show up on time, and if you screw it up, you’re done.”
My heart leaps, but I keep my tone even. “Deal.”
He stands abruptly, scooping up baby Aura, who’s beginning to stir.
And then, of course, he grabs the entire plate of brownies without so much as a glance.
Wait. Did he just… take that plate? Did I really just agree to nanny for the new grump in town? What did I just do?
I stand there momentarily stunned before walking behind the counter to grab my phone to text the girls in the group chat.
Me
911, I just did something and I need advice.
Harlow
Spill all the deets, girl!
Mel
Meet in 15 at Beanstalk?
Me
I’ll be waiting.
Harlow
OMW!
