Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 121576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
* * *
I was in the kitchen wiping off the table when the front door opened.
I listened to Olivia fire a series of questions at Nathan the second he stepped inside the house, a habit she had developed.
“Do you like board games, Nate?”
“Can you build your own campfire?”
“How do you feel about s’mores?”
I wasn’t sure if he was up for answering her tonight, and I didn’t wait to find out.
After sweeping the crumbs into my hand, I lifted my head and informed her, “Olivia, if you’d like a little more iPad time, I’ll allow it right now.”
She gasped and turned on her heel, sprinting for the outlet beside the television console, where her iPad was charging. I needed her occupied for the conversation I was about to have. And now Nathan could move throughout his house without answering fifty questions.
Two birds, one stone.
Although, possibly not necessary. Because when he entered the kitchen, Nathan didn’t appear to be a bit annoyed by my daughter or even on the edge of irritation. His smile was subtle, as if he was tired, but already there when I glanced over at him after dumping the crumbs into the trash can by the fridge. I wondered if he had been wearing that smile for Olivia too.
“Hey,” he greeted me, stopping at the edge of the island. He hadn’t worn a tie today, and the top button of his shirt was already undone.
Never in my life had I focused on a man’s neck this much before. But God, I couldn’t help it. If Nathan owned any turtlenecks, they needed to be burned immediately.
“Hey,” I returned, brushing my hands off over the bin.
“Where’s your other one?”
“What’s that?” I watched him hook a thumb over his shoulder in Olivia’s direction and realized he meant Oliver, who was typically always with his sister. “Oh, he had a Scout meeting tonight. And then he has a sleepover with his friend. They’re going to drop him off here tomorrow.”
“Boy Scouts?”
“Yep. Did you ever do that?”
He shook his head.
“Oliver likes it, unless it’s football season, and then he wants nothing to do with it. Football becomes his life.”
“I can appreciate that,” he replied, his cheek twitching. “How was Marley today?”
“Awesome, as usual. We were going to go to the playground, but since it rained, we did Play-doh instead. She loved it.”
I walked down the island, moving closer to Nathan. I was already smiling because talking about Marley with him always made me happy, but when he asked, “Your day was good too, then? Did you get a lot of work done?” I fought to keep my mouth from stretching any wider.
This was the second time Nathan had asked about me after inquiring about his daughter. Yesterday, he’d gestured at my bag and questioned what I did for a living. He’d seemed genuinely interested. We’d talked for a good ten minutes about my job and how I felt about it.
It was nice. And this was nice too. He didn’t need to ask about me.
“I did. And my day was good. If the kids are good, I’m good.” I stopped beside him at the corner of the island. “What about you? How was your day?”
“Productive.”
“That’s how you like it, then? You don’t miss having to keep an eye out at all times for two-year-old escape artists?”
“What eye? She spent more time out of my office than in it. I can’t imagine how you dealt with two at that age.”
I shrugged, answering, “It’s the only normal I know.”
A look of understanding washed over his face. He dug some cash out of his wallet and handed it over. As I was sliding the money into the front pocket of my shorts, he checked the time on his watch.
Shit. I still needed to ask him about the pictures, and he was clearly gearing up to walk me to the door. Another nice thing he always did.
“Can I talk to you about something?” I asked.
His expression grew tense. “Is it about you watching her for me? I know I’m asking a lot. You’re here all the time…”
“No. Everything is fine with watching her.”
“The ad for the assistant manager position just went live today. It shouldn’t be much longer.”
“Okay. I mean, it’ll be great when you can cut down on your hours because that’ll mean you get to spend more time with her, but I’m good. We’re good—my kids love being here.”
Nathan visibly relaxed. He pushed his hand through his hair. “Thank God. I think I’d lose my mind if you stopped coming over.”
My stomach tightened.
I knew he was speaking in terms of watching Marley and only that, but still, I couldn’t help it. I smiled up at him, and when he smiled back in that subtle, sleepy way he did after working a long day, I momentarily forgot what we were talking about and just kept smiling.