I glance at Gabriel and catch him watching me. Not just looking—watching. Like maybe he’s wondering what it would look like if this was our life every day. God help be because I hate to admit I’m wondering the same thing.
But neither of us says it out loud. Not yet.
I hand Aura back to Gabriel, but as soon as she’s back in his arms, she cries. It’s a sharp little wail that tugs at my heart, but I remind myself that I need to let Gabriel have his time with her. I fight the urge to take her back in my arms and comfort her. It’s just notmy place.
But Gabriel doesn’t panic. He presses her close, whispering something in her ear that I can’t hear. Whatever it is, it works. She stops fussing, and I fall just a little more for both of them.
The rest of my weekend drags on, slow and stretched out as I await my new nanny job starting on Sunday.
My mind constantly returns to Gabriel and Aura. I know my heart is getting tangled in this whole situation, and that’s something I need to keep in check.
My main priority is to be the best nanny for Aura—not to get distracted by her father, no matter how good-looking or charming he may be.
But no one warned me it would be this hard. That I’d lie in bed at night thinking about the curve of his smile, or the way Aura’s hand fits perfectly inside his. Or how it felt holding her.
I tell myself to shut it down. He’s her dad. Nothing more. But those moments stick like stubborn little sparks. The warmth they leave behind makes it impossible to forget.
I try to push those thoughts away, telling myself to keep it professional. To keep my heart on lockdown until I know for sure this is just a job. But the pull is there, subtle and persistent.
On Wednesday, Melanie and Harlow texted me about a girl’s night on Friday before I officially start on Sunday. I agree with that, needing some time to unwind before jumping into everything.
Friday arrives, and I open the café early, spending the day training the new baristas I hired to help once we officially open. Everything at the café is going well. I pinch myself sometimes just to make sure this is all real.
Before I close on Friday, my brother Asher arrives to finish installing the lighting above the syrup wall.
“Hey Mills!” Asher calls as he enters, a smile as bright as ever.He’s a big guy with broad shoulders, and his energy always fills up the room.
He looks like our dad, even more so than his identical twin brother, Reuben, though Asher and I are the closest.
“How’s it going ?” he asks, climbing up a ladder.
“I’m good, Ash,” I reply. “Busy, but good. I start a night job on Sunday, and the café opens soon, so it’s a little hectic, but I’m excited. I’ve been wanting this for so long,” I sigh, leaning against the counter for a moment.
Asher stops, looks at me with a concerned frown, and sets down the tool he’s holding. “Why’d you get a night job? Doing what?”
I knew my siblings would question why I got a second job. But this one’s different, and I don’t feel like I owe them an explanation. Still, I know they’re coming from a place of concern, so I try to keep it light.
“Relax,Dad,” I joke, knowing full well Asher is the most protective sibling. “I just got a job as a nanny for a baby overnight while the dad works. He is Josh’s new partner, and we’ve already met. It will be nothing intense. He just needs someone to be there while his daughter sleeps, to feed and change her.”
Asher crosses his arms, standing firmly in his “dad” pose. “Even if he is JJ’s new partner, I don’t like the idea of you working two jobs, Millie. Is the café not going to bring enough revenue for you to live comfortably?”
“I am doing well. The café is too, but I need to do more, Ash,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. It’s not about the money. It’s about feeling like I’mdoingsomething with my life, giving back, and helping others.
“You always do that,” Asher mutters.
“Do what?”
“Try to fix people,” he says quietly. “Just don’t forget to take care of yourself too.”
“Who needs to do more?” Reuben cuts in, walking behind the counter.
“Mills here got a second job overnight watching Josh’s new partner’s baby,” Asher adds pointedly.
Sometimes I wish I didn’t have so many siblings. But I know they mean well. They always have.
“I don’t need you guys to debate my life decisions,” I snap a little more sharply than I mean to. “I’m fine. Really. I took the job because I want to help. Nothing more, nothing less.”
They both nod, though I can still see the concern there.
