3. Xaden
THREE
Xaden
The window is cracked to let in the cool breeze, and the house is shockingly quiet compared to the frenzy of noise that existed before Daisy went down for her nap. She goes down like a champ most days, and this is the perfect time to get ahead of some emails I need to deal with.
There aren’t many, which is a bit of a surprise, but I can’t say I’m upset about that. With no nanny, I’m happier than ever that the business can run so smoothly without me having to babysit constantly.
You hired good people, Xade. Be grateful.
I sigh, reaching for my drink perched on the desk above where my keyboard pulls out. But when I try to take a sip, it’s empty.
“Well, I suppose it’s time for a refill then.”
I sit up straight at the desk, my back cracking, and as I stretch, I look at the clock. Shit, it’s already been an hour since Daisy went down.
At most, I have another hour left before she wakes up. I guess I was working longer than I thought.
Just as I stand up, I hear a gentle knock on the door. I’m not expecting anyone, and then part of me jumps at the idea that it might be Ivy.
My pulse flickering, I struggle to remind myself that she’s applying for the nanny position. There will be absolutely no funny business.
That’s unprofessional.
I make my way to the front door and pull it open, my heart in my throat. But it’s not Ivy. It’s Mason, and my shoulders deflate as I cock my head with a grin.
“Oh, hey, Mason. What’s up?”
He offers a familiar, kind grin and lifts forward a package. “Well, aside from the fact that you just went all sour puss on me, not much. This was delivered to me by mistake.”
I tense, admittedly a little embarrassed that I let my disappointment over who was at my door affect me so much. I take the package from Mason with an apologetic expression.
“I’m sorry. I was…it’s not important.” I shake myself, waving off the awkwardness. “Thanks. Would you like to come inside for a drink? I was just about to pour myself a refill.”
He relaxes into himself, turning the corners of his mouth down as he nods. “Sure. I’m off for the rest of the day, and the girls are out shopping.”
“Oh, what for? Can’t be groceries. You have those delivered, and the poor old guy still has trouble remembering which house is which.”
I open the door the rest of the way and show Mason inside. As he steps through, I close things back up, setting the Amazon box on the console table.
It’s a new nightlight for Mia since hers keeps dying in the middle of the night, but I can’t exactly give it to her while she’s in there sleeping.
“Halloween stuff. Costume, decorations. It’s the first I’ve even considered doing it all up for Halloween, but Bridget insists, and Mia is way too excited about the idea to say no now.”
Pausing as I walk with Mason toward the kitchen, I rack my brain, concerned more time has passed then I realized.
“Wait, isn’t Halloween next month?”
Mason chuckles, pulling up a seat at the center island in my kitchen. “You’re not wrong. They’re ‘getting a jump on it,’ according to Bridget. She’s worried all the cute stuff will be gone if we wait too long.”
I can’t help but laugh at that, and I give Mason a good pat on the shoulder as I pass by him toward the fridge. Reaching inside, I pull out two beers.
Sure, I was going to make something properly, but I know Mason, and he won’t mind that I’m going with an old standby.
As I sit down next to him at the island, we crack open the beers simultaneously, and we click the tops together in an unceremonious “cheers.”
“So, aside from the Halloween obsession, how’s things? It sounds like you’re having a good time over there.”
Mason takes a swig from his Blue Moon and smiles, looking off to the side in that wistful way he does.
“It’s going great. I really can’t complain. Not even about the Halloween thing. It may be Labor Day, but you know, we so rarely decorate because I’m usually a grump about it. Her words, not mine. So, I’m caving. Bridget deserves a win.”
I cock a brow, finishing my own sip and setting the beer down. “Deserves a win? Something up over in Happyville?”
“Oh, sorry, nothing crazy, no. She’s just been doing a lot around the house and for Mia while I’ve been working a huge deal for a new real estate development in the wooded area just outside of town.”
Memory strikes, and I nod a few times. “Oh, in that burnt patch from the fire? That’s a good use of the space.”
“Yeah, since the land was hurt pretty badly, we’re hoping to rebuild in there and include some stabilizing landscaping. It’s been a hefty project for me, so Bridget has been doing a lot without any help.”
“That’s an awesome idea, Mason. And I mean giving Bridget some slack. You already know the real estate thing will pan out. You’re crushing it on the regular with that one.”
He chuckles again, downing more of his drink. “Thanks. But how’re things with you? How’s the nanny search?”
“Eh, it’s alright. Sure would be nice not to have to do this all over again. But Laura clearly wasn’t a good fit. My, umm, my next-door neighbor applied for the job.”
Mason cocked a brow. “Are you saying that the Miller house was finally purchased? Damn, I thought that thing would be on the market forever. So glad I don’t do residential.”
He earns a chuckle from me, and I nod, remembering my first encounter with Ivy. “Yeah, she just moved in from New York City. Apparently, she used to work in childcare before the move, and I did a background check and ran her references. They’re legit.”
Narrowing his eyes on me, I watch the crinkle form between Mason’s brows. “So, why are you not calling her?”
“Well, I’m a little fucking gun-shy considering how well the last nanny worked out.”
“Okay, sure.” Mason nods, taking another sip. “But this one has good references that checked out, right? Why not just let her meet Daisy and see how they get along?”
“It’s not a terrible idea. I’m just…a little nervous. Obviously. She’s, umm, pretty young, too. I don’t know if that means anything really, but I can’t help but think back to Laura. She was young and impulsive and stole from me. I can’t repeat that.”
Mason reaches across the table and pats me on the arm. “Dude, I get it. Fellow dad you’re talking to. But to a point, you have to just trust the new person. Her references checked out, and she’s passed the background check. So, that’s really all you can do. I’d say give her a shot. Having a nanny who lives next door would be so nice, and you have to get some work done. As much as you might not like it.”
I let out a sigh, finishing my beer. He’s got a point, and we both know it. Still, it’s not just that my neighbor is young and new.
It’s also that she’s extremely attractive, and I haven’t been interested in anybody since Maeve died.
No one.
It’s beyond strange that now, after all this time, my body and brain are thinking of someone like that again. I’d written off that future for myself, and it didn’t matter as long as Daisy was happy.
But now…
“In any case, we should hang out as a unit sometime soon. Mia is dying for another sleepover with Daisy and Juniper. I’m sure Hudson would be down for a hang-out, too.”
I remember how much fun the kids had not too long ago on the last playdate at Hudson’s and nod again.
“We should. I know Daisy would want to. She loves getting to play with her pseudo-cousins.”
Mason laughs. “Ha, yeah. Good old Uncle Mason and Uncle Hudson. Brothers from other mothers.”
I roll my eyes, scoffing as Mason finishes up his drink. I collect the bottles and bring them to the recycling under the sink.
Just as I close the cupboard, I hear Daisy start to talk to herself and sing in her room on the monitor.
“Well, I’m officially being paged.” I walk over to Mason as he stands up, clapping him on the shoulder. “You want to say hi before you head out?”
“Oh, sure. It’s been a minute.”
He hangs out in the kitchen while I go upstairs to Daisy’s room and grab her. She’s still a little groggy as I carry her down the stairs, but as soon as she sees Mason, she perks up.
“Uncle Mason!”
She hops down from my arms, running over for a hug. He lifts her up, laughing as she squeezes him.
“Hey, cutie. I was just chatting with your dad. But I think I need to get back home. You think you can watch Daddy for me? Make sure he doesn’t get into trouble?”
Daisy giggles and nods. “Yes, Uncle Mason. No naughty daddies allowed.”
“Good girl.”
He sets her down, and she runs back over to me. I carry her as we show Mason out, stepping onto the front porch to enjoy a bit of the cool afternoon air.
Just as Mason and I are saying goodbye, I notice Ivy stepping out of her car with a small bag of groceries in her hand.
She walks toward her porch, smiling with her eyebrows up, when she notices us standing there. I nod my head awkwardly, offering a tight smile.
“Hey,” Mason taps me on the side of the arm, leaning in, “this is your chance. Go have Daisy say hi. You can see how it goes.”
I look over at him, a bit shocked. “Now? Seriously?”
“It’s always now or never, right? You said so yourself.”
Sighing, I roll my eyes at him. “I really hate when you use my advice against me. Fine. Fine. See you later.”
I gesture for him to go on back to his house, and Mason grins. “Let me know how it goes.”
“I will. Now scram.”
He laughs under his breath but quickly departs as I turn toward Ivy’s house. Squeezing Daisy a bit, I look down at her in my arms with a smile.
“Hey, so that’s the lady that might help watch you. Do you think we could go say hi?”
She looks nervous, which is normal for her. Daisy doesn’t love meeting strangers. It usually takes her a while to warm up to someone.
“Umm, okay, Daddy.”
“Hey, that’s a good girl. Good job being brave.”
She smiles, feeling a bit better as I acknowledge that she’s feeling shy, and we head over toward Ivy’s porch.
“Hey, Ivy?”
My neighbor pauses, looking back over her shoulder with her brows still raised. The sunlight catches in her green eyes, and I have to shake myself into focus.
“Umm, hi. What’s up?”
Setting Daisy down on her feet, where she immediately hides behind my leg, I try to offer Ivy the best nonchalant smile I can muster.
I’m not sure it’s working.
“Umm, I was wondering if you had a second to say hi to Daisy. Consider it part of the interview.”
Ivy regards me, her brows knitting together, but then she smirks lightly. With a smile that’s all amused suspicion, Ivy sets her grocery bag down near the door.
“For the sweetest-looking princess, I have all the time in the world.”
I grin, aware of how I just dropped this in Ivy’s lap. “Thanks.”
Kneeling down, I get Daisy to come in front of me. She’s a little hesitant still, but I can see curiosity in her eyes.
“Hey, sweetie. You want to go say hi? I think it would be good.”
Daisy grins through the nervous expression clouding up her face. “She called me a princess.”
“That’s because she’s very smart and can clearly spot royalty when she sees it.”
Giggling, Daisy nods, and I move out of the way so she can walk up the steps toward Ivy. As my daughter approaches her new nanny, or at least who could very likely be her new nanny, Ivy smiles, dipping low in a bow.
“Your majesty. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ivy. What’s your name?”
She grins. “I’m Daisy. Your name is a plant, too.”
Ivy’s brows go up as she nods with an impressed smirk. “It is. You’re very smart, Daisy. Tell me something, though.”
Daisy gets serious as Ivy puts on an intrigued expression and gestures for her to come closer.
Whispering in Daisy’s ear, Ivy leans over so that my daughter can hear. “Is a ‘daddy’ a kind of plant because I’ve been looking all over for one, and I can’t find it.”
It’s like a magic trick. All of a sudden, Daisy is cracking up, shaking her head as she says, “No. Daddy isn’t a plant. He’s a man.”
The tension that may have been there between them melts away, and Ivy takes a seat on the outdoor loveseat and pats the cushion for Daisy to sit next to her.
Surprisingly, again, the kid is all too happy to sit down and climbs up on the sofa with a bit of help from Ivy.
I stand and watch them from the edge of the porch, leaning against the post like last time, and time flies by as the two of them go from strangers to the best of friends. I can hardly believe it.
Even more, I can’t help but smile as they interact with each other. Daisy comes up with a million random questions to ask Ivy, giggling wildly at the funny answers that still manage to contain the actual answer.
It’s damn impressive.
Time stretches by, and I’m unable to tear my eyes away from Ivy. Her stunning green eyes framed by freckles sparkle with joy, and she effortlessly chats with Daisy like she’s known the kid forever.
Ivy’s hair is down this afternoon, the strawberry blond locks curling around her shoulders and rustling gently as the wind blows.
Dammit, how is she this…amazing?
Eventually, my phone beeps, and it pulls me out of the hypnotizing spell before me. I need to get Daisy inside for some food, and Ivy has more than entertained her for a while.
“Alright, sweetie. I think it’s time to get some food and let Ivy take her groceries inside. Can you say thank you for hanging out?”
Daisy frowns. “No! I don’t want to go. I’m having fun!”
My heart cracks. It’s something she never said when it was time for Laura to leave. “Oh, honey. It’s okay. Ivy is right next door. I’m sure we’ll see her very soon.”
Ivy picks up on the hint, and Daisy begrudgingly gets down from the couch and wanders over.
“Bye, Ivy.”
“Oh, Daisy. Like your dad said, I’ll see you again soon. Go get some food. I’m sure your dad needs some help cooking. Am I right?”
Daisy giggles. “He doesn’t! He calls the delivery boy.”
Hiding a laugh behind her hand, Ivy nods. “Oh, well, I see. Then I guess you’re safe.”
Furrowing my brow as I glare playfully at Ivy, I tell Daisy to head back over to our porch.
“Okay, Daddy.”
“Thank you, honey. I’ll be right there. I just want to tell Ivy something.”
Daisy skips away, crossing the space between our large yards and heading over to our porch, where I can still see her. As I turn back toward Ivy, I regard her, sighing as I nod.
“So?” Ivy asks, raising her brows at me as she smiles.
She has a damn beautiful smile. And she made Daisy laugh, which is a feat all on its own.
“Can you start Monday?”