Chapter 6

Six

Finn

L ast night, I couldn’t fall asleep until after Aria told me she’d arrived home safely. I told myself I’d feel that way about anyone who was babysitting my daughter, but I wasn’t so sure. I’d never followed up with anyone else.

Tonight, I was looking forward to seeing her again. I knew it was only a few minutes before and after work, but it sustained me through the day while I was teaching fourth- and fifth-grade band and later, the general music classes.

The general music classes were a little tedious because not everyone enjoyed music, and the classes were mandatory at this age for everyone. The kids who signed up for band and orchestra were different. Those kids were eager to learn an instrument.

After school, I made pizza, not wanting Aria to think she’d need to cook and clean for me. I’d been impressed that Aria cleaned up the house, but I hadn’t expected that. I’d pay her a little more to cover her efforts.

I still couldn’t figure out why she was babysitting to earn extra money. I would have thought working as a waitress or a bartender would bring more in with tips.

My heart strangely picked up pace when the doorbell rang, signaling Aria’s arrival. I waited for Paisley to get it for me. She was enamored with Aria, and I couldn’t blame her. Aria seemed genuinely interested in playing with her.

She wasn’t one of those babysitters who watched from a distance. She got down on her knees and played with Paisley’s dolls.

She’d make a good stepmom. I wasn’t even sure why the thought entered my mind. Aria wasn’t a good fit for me, even if she was for my daughter.

This time, Paisley led her into the kitchen. “Daddy made pizza.”

“How nice.”

“I didn’t want you to think you needed to cook every night. If I get home early enough, I can take care of it.”

Aria waved me off. “I don’t mind.”

I placed a slice on a plate and set it at Paisley’s spot at the counter and then plated a second for Aria.

“Oh, I’m not hungry.” Then her stomach rumbled.

We all laughed.

“Are you playing the same bar tonight?” Aria asked as we ate.

“It’s a different one.”

“May I ask if you do it for fun or just for extra money?” Aria asked.

I didn’t get the impression she was judging me as a parent. But I wouldn’t blame her if she did. I had enough guilt over being away from Paisley. “It’s both. I love teaching, but there’s something about playing for a crowd that really gets my blood pumping.”

“I can imagine,” Aria said with a smile.

“You should come watch sometime.” For some reason, I wanted her to listen to me play, especially after she’d enjoyed my music at the Happily Ever Afters party.

“I’d like that,” Aria finally said.

“I want to come too,” Paisley pouted.

“Kids aren’t allowed at bars.” I glanced at the clock and realized I was late. “I need to get going. You girls behave tonight.”

Paisley rolled her eyes like I knew she would. “I’m always good.”

“Are you?” I arched a brow, teasing her.

She pressed her lips together, trying to suppress her smile. “You know I am.”

I squeezed her tight and had the strangest compulsion to kiss Aria’s cheek, but I didn’t. She was my daughter’s babysitter. Maybe if I said it enough, I’d remember it. “I’ll be home late again. Make sure you’re in bed by eight.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Paisley said as she bounded into the living room, probably to play with her toys.

Aria walked me to the door.

She didn’t need to do that, but I liked it too much to tell her that.

“Call me if you need anything.”

“You don’t need to worry about Paisley. I’ve got her.”

I turned to find Aria’s gaze on me. “I’ll always worry.”

“I know, but you shouldn’t.”

I did feel better knowing Paisley was with Aria. “Thank you. You being here eases my mind.”

She smiled, and it warmed me all over. “That’s the idea.”

I lowered my voice so Paisley didn’t hear us in the other room. “I still don’t know what you’re getting out of this arrangement.”

Aria tapped her finger on her chin. “I get to spend time with Paisley, who’s awesome, and I get to save some money. I’d say it’s a win-win.”

Plus, I look forward to seeing you in my home every night . I didn’t voice that thought out loud. It wouldn’t have done any good to tell her I had a teensy, little crush on her. We were adults, and crushes were for kids.

Especially when my brain knew we were all wrong. We weren’t a good match, and I couldn’t forget that. Maybe if I said that enough, it would sink in.

“You’d better go,” Aria chided, and it prompted me to move. I grabbed my guitar case and opened the door. “Call me—”

“If you need anything. Got it,” Aria said with a smile as I closed the door and walked to my SUV.

Paisley was safe with Aria. I could relax and enjoy my set at the bar. I needed Aria so that I could do my job without worrying about Paisley.

On the drive, I thought about Aria’s question. What did I want from these gigs? Was it just the extra money and the thrill I got from performing? Or was it something else? Would I always wonder if performing was what I was meant to do?

I’d always said I loved being a teacher, and I did, but a part of me wasn’t willing to let go of performing.

I pulled up to Max’s Bar and Grill. It was busy since it was a Friday. I grabbed my case and headed inside to greet the owner, and my friend, Max, before setting up by the makeshift stage inside the bar. It was located inside a historic building, like most of the buildings in this area, and the space for me to perform was tiny. But it meant that I was close to the patrons, and it made for an intimate performance.

As soon as my pick strummed over the strings, I knew this was where I was supposed to be. When I opened my mouth to sing, a hush came over the crowd. I knew it wasn’t just out of respect; they really wanted to hear me play and sing.

I kept my focus on the strings, only lifting my gaze occasionally to make sure the crowd was swaying and mouthing the lyrics. Each confirmation that they enjoyed my performance urged me to keep going. To remember why I was doing this. It was one way to give people happiness. Music lifted people’s spirits and reminded them they were alive. I loved it.

It was close to the thrill of when one of my students learned a new song, but it wasn’t exactly the same. Aria’s help with Paisley allowed me to keep performing, and I was grateful. I wouldn’t do anything to mess up this thing with her.

After I finished my final set, Max offered me a beer, but like always, I declined.

“I should get home. Aria’s watching Paisley.”

Max braced his hands on the bar. “Not Aria Hunter?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I remember her from school.”

“What was she like?”

“She kept to herself, but I think she lived in the trailer park. What’s she doing babysitting for you?”

“She said she needs the extra money.”

“I don’t think she ever went to college. But she’s working for Gia, isn’t she?”

I nodded. “This arrangement with her seems too good to be true. I thought I’d have to hire a teenager and remind them not to have friends over.”

“Aria’s good. I think she babysat a lot in school too.”

“I would have thought she’d want to waitress or bartend for extra cash. Seems like easy money.”

“But then you have to deal with drunk people and their roving hands,” Mallory, the bartender, added as she walked by.

“I don’t hire anyone who doesn’t already have some experience either hosting or waitressing at a restaurant. I don’t have time to train someone in the service industry.”

That might have been why Aria didn’t go that route. Maybe she’d already tried and couldn’t get a job.

“She good with Paisley?” Max asked as he wiped off the counter.

“She’s great with her. Paisley already adores her, and it’s only been a couple of nights. Plus, knowing I can trust her means I can relax and enjoy my set.”

“You ever think about doing more with your music?” Max asked as he threw the cloth into a bucket behind the counter.

“Performing doesn’t work well with being a parent.”

“That’s true, but maybe there are other options besides getting a record deal and touring.”

“Yeah, maybe.” I’d thought about songwriting. That would allow me to do some work on the side and feel like I was using my music for something other than teaching. But how did anyone get into songwriting? It seemed like an impossible dream.

We chatted for a few minutes longer about his other acts, and then I said I needed to get home. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Aria again. I hoped she wasn’t asleep this time.

When I arrived home, Aria was awake and watching something on TV. She clicked it off before I could see what it was.

She quickly gathered her things and met me at the door. “How did it go?”

“It was great. I love playing at Max’s. It’s a good crowd. How were things with Paisley?”

“Fun. We played some games, then she took a shower, and we read books. She’s the best. You’re so lucky.” Aria’s hand rested on my arm, and the contact sent a tingle up my arm. “I have an early day tomorrow. I’d better get going.”

Was it my imagination, or was she in a hurry to not be alone with me? I pulled cash out of my wallet to pay her and asked, “Can you text me when you get there?”

She didn’t argue with me, just smiled softly and said, “Sure.”

I wondered if she lived with her family or moved into a rental. But it wasn’t my place to ask. “Drive safely.”

“Will do, Finn. Enjoy your night.”

Something about what she said got to me. My mind was racing with ways I could enjoy my night with Aria on her knees in front of me, my cock in her mouth. I blinked away the image because it was inappropriate.

I didn’t want to lose her as a babysitter. Not when she was so good with Paisley, who adored her.

I forced myself to take a few steps back, and she walked outside. I’d probably see her tomorrow at the Lance wedding. I wondered if our interactions would be different at work now that we knew each other better.

I didn’t want them to be. I enjoyed our back-and-forth banter, the push and pull, the disagreements that got my blood pumping in the same way performing did.

She believed in love, and she almost made me want to as well.

I waited until she texted me that she was home safe before jumping in the shower. It was her I imagined when I gripped my cock, her blue eyes looking up at me, her wavy hair wild around her shoulders as I kissed her, pressing her against a wall. I imagined how she would feel under me and pumped harder. I wanted my daughter’s babysitter, even though she was off-limits.

I bit back a groan as I let my mind run wild. In my fantasies, we argued, and then she dropped to her knees, determined to bring me to mine. I envisioned her pink lips around my cock, a challenging glint in her eyes as she sucked me off. I quickly found my release, but afterward, I didn’t feel satisfied. I wanted the real thing, but I couldn’t have her.

I sensed that Aria was the real deal, the girl you took home to meet your parents. She wasn’t a friend-with-benefits girl. No matter how much I wanted her to be. She wanted it all, and she deserved it. The relationship, the wedding, and everything that came after.

She wasn’t for me, and I needed to remember that.