Chapter 4

4

Kara

Once I arrive at the Parker home, I exit my car and walk up to their front door.

Heather, the mom of the children I nanny for, opens the door before I get there. Steve, the dad, is away for a business trip, and she wanted to get this stuff done while he was gone.

“Right on time. I just got them in bed. Come on in. I want to hear all about how it went,” she says in a low tone so as not to wake up the girls.

Being a nanny for them has been my only saving grace since I moved here. I realized real quick that I couldn’t just walk into a bar and they’d let me perform, so getting to spend my days with Katy and Lana have softened that blow for sure.

We walk to the kitchen, where she pours me a glass of wine, hands it to me, and leans back, resting on the opposite end of the counter, taking a sip from her own glass of wine.

“It went really well! They booked me for actual paying gigs.”

Her eyes open wide, and she instantly holds her arms out and gives me a hug. “I knew you’d get your shot. I’m so proud of you.”

My eyes well with tears that I blink away. Heather’s love and support has been amazing for keeping me focused on my dreams and not giving up.

“So …” I drawl out, hiding my grin over my wineglass.

She pauses, giving me a suspicious look. “So … what?”

“I met a guy.”

She places her glass down and sets her hands on the counter in front of her in excitement. “Do tell.”

“He’s a firefighter. His name is Silas.”

“And …”

“And he’s super cute, kind of edgy, but in a good way with a faux-hawk and a nose ring.”

“So, you gave him your number?”

I nod. “I did, so we’ll see if he calls.”

“He will. I have no doubt.” She picks up her glass again. “I’m glad you had a good start to your night because organizing all of this is not going to be fun, so we should get started.”

I pick up my glass. “Lead the way.”

I got home from the Parkers’ house a little past midnight and am getting ready for bed when I get a text message from an unknown number.

Angel. That’s what I put you in my phone as.

I smile, knowing exactly who’s texting me, but surprised he’s texting me so late and so soon after we just met.

I text back, teasing him.

I thought I told you not to call me Angel.

Sorry. Not sorry. You’re an angel to me.

As I read his text, I can tell he’s sending me another one, so I wait for it before I reply.

Why did you have to leave tonight?

I work as a nanny. Their mom needed my help in organizing things after they went to bed.

A nanny, huh? I can see that.

I smile at his text. I’ve always wanted kids, and getting to help raise these little girls has only solidified that I can’t wait to have kids of my own.

How was the rest of your night?

Just hung with the guys. Wish you could have stayed. It wasn’t the same after you left.

What? You didn’t like the band that played after me?

No.

No one will ever beat your performance.

You’re sweet.

I mean it. You were really good up there.

Thank you.

When can I see you again?

Ha! You don’t play games, do you? Right to the point.

Never. Life is too short. Believe me, I see it firsthand.

I pause with my fingers over the keyboard and really take in his words. I’ve never really thought about how hard it would be to be a firefighter. The stuff they see and deal with on a daily basis must be crazy.

I pick up the girls from school tomorrow, but

I’m off by 7. What do you have in mind?

Let me take you out.

OK. Where?

I’ll text you tomorrow with the details.

Sounds good.

Good night, Angel.

I smile at his text, then respond.

Good night, Fed.

I’m with the girls when I get a text from Silas.

Meet me at Harrison’s rooftop bar at 8.

The place downtown? I didn’t know they had a rooftop bar.

I know … that’s why I’m taking you there. It’s VIP only.

Oh. And you’re a VIP?

You know it.

I laugh out loud, then respond.

See you then.

“Who are you texting?” Lana, the older daughter, asks as she takes her homework out of her bag. She’s eight and very curious about everything.

“A guy I met yesterday,” I respond, tickling her a little to mess with her for asking me a private question so openly.

Her giggle always makes me laugh.

“Is he your boyfriend?”

“I just met the guy!” I overstate playfully.

“So? When Prince Eric met Ariel in The Little Mermaid , he wanted to be her boyfriend right away.”

I grin and nod. “You are correct.”

“So, if you just met him yesterday and he’s already texting you today, isn’t that the same thing?”

I chuckle under my breath. Kids and their black-and-white way of looking at life. If only it were that easy.

“Well, real life is a little different from the movies. I’m not sure if I want him to be my boyfriend. I need to get to know him a little better first.”

“I say you make it official. I saw the way you smiled as you texted him. You like him.”

I lean back with a shocked expression. “Do I now?”

“Yep. You look like Mom when she’s texting Daddy.”

Now, that puts a smile on my face. The best part of nannying for this family is getting to be a part of the family, and she’s right; the relationship between Heather and Steve is admirable. It’s obvious they love each other very much. I feel like marriages like theirs are not as common anymore, and there have been multiple times when I’ve thought to myself that I hope I find a love like that one day.

“Well, we will just have to wait and see,” I say with a smile too big for having just met the guy and already hoping to myself that he might be the one, but as I get up to check on Katy, who is taking a nap, that’s all I can think about.