Chapter 7
Kia
The moment those words pop out of my mouth, heat floods my cheeks.
I didn’t stop to weigh the pros and cons or even think about how the offer would sound.
I saw the tension in Laiken’s face when his sitter called, and I simply reacted.
Now he’s staring at me like I’ve suggested something outlandish.
Like a striptease right here at the park.
His mouth opens and closes before a rough breath scrapes out of him. “No,” he says almost reluctantly. “That’s probably not a good idea.”
Of course it isn’t.
I nod in agreement, even as embarrassment eats away at me. The cold air suddenly has more of a bite as Elody’s carefree laughter rings out across the playground.
“I just meant…” I clear my throat when my voice wobbles. “I don’t mind helping out. I’m kind of between things right now.”
Between things.
Homeless. Pregnant. Terrified.
Fantastic wording, Kia.
Laiken drags a hand along his jaw, fingers scraping over dark stubble. His brows tug together, although not with annoyance. He looks conflicted. Like he’s mentally running through a list and coming up empty.
“It’s a lot,” he says grudgingly. “She can be a lot.”
“She’s not,” I murmur.
His gaze slides to his daughter. Her cheeks are pink as her polar bear hat slips sideways, and his expression softens. The love that rolls off him is so strong, it’s almost painful to witness.
He exhales for a second time, as if still wrestling with himself about what to do.
“Are you absolutely sure?” he asks, quieter now. “Do you really want that kind of responsibility every day?”
Every day.
Those two words tumble through my head. He’s using it as a deterrent, but to me, it means something altogether different. It would mean routine. Stability. A reason to get up that doesn’t include nausea or fear. A place to go that feels steady instead of somewhere to hide out.
It might be temporary, but it’s exactly what I need. Even a week or two would give me time to think and plan my next move. I can’t camp out at Oliver’s place indefinitely. At some point, I’ll need to figure out a permanent living situation for me and the baby.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I say, trying to keep the excitement from my voice. “I mean, if you want the help.”
The seconds that stretch between us are filled with wind, distant squeals of children at play, and my own heartbeat thudding in my ears. Just as I shift, nerves vibrating beneath my skin, he reluctantly nods.
“All right.” His gaze lifts to mine. “I can pay you a thousand a week. Does that work?”
My breath stutters.
A thousand dollars a week!
The number lands like a bomb. It has nothing to do with greed and everything to do with practicality. It means building a savings account and planning for diapers and doctor visits I haven’t let myself dwell on.
It takes effort to keep my expression neutral. “That’s more than fair.”
He searches my face, as if looking for any trace of doubt or hesitation. Whatever he finds seems to settle his indecision, and for that, I’m grateful.
“Okay. Then you can start Sunday. It’s a weekend and won’t be too structured. Just come by in the morning and get used to Elody’s rhythm.”
Rhythm. Routine. A little girl who needs me.
“Sure. What time?”
He shifts toward me. “Does nine work?”
I nod. “Yeah. Nine sounds good.”
“And one more thing,” he says, as if just remembering. “Katie usually cooks dinner. It’s nothing fancy, but I try not to rely too much on takeout.”
“Sure,” I say, not wanting to lose this opportunity. “I can handle that.”
Elody chooses that moment to come barreling toward us, breathless and radiating happiness. “Kia! Did you see how fast I am? Daddy, can she come tomorrow too? Please, please, please?”
Laiken opens his mouth, probably to slow things down before closing it again.
“Kia is coming back on Sunday,” he says quietly. “Okay, bug?”
Elody’s eyes widen as she shrieks and races back to her new friend.
Emotion swells inside me before settling somewhere behind my sternum.
I pop to my feet. “I should probably get moving and let you enjoy the rest of the day.”
“Give me a moment and we’ll walk you back,” Laiken says, straightening from the bench.
“No, that’s not necessary—”
His gaze never deviates from mine. “I know, but we’ll still do it.”
As we continue to stare at one another, I realize there’s no arguing with that tone.
We gather up Elody, who insists on hugging the girl she befriended, all the while giggling and making plans to play the next day, before the three of us head back to the building. Laiken keeps a careful amount of distance between us, as if proximity itself is a risky situation.
Once we reach his lobby, he clears his throat. “I’ll text you the details tonight.”
“Okay.”
“And thank you. This really helps me out.”
The sincerity in his tone nearly undoes me.
With a final wave, Elody skips toward the elevator, her hand still tucked into her father’s larger one. It’s only when the doors slide shut that her laughter fades. I stand frozen for a beat, struck by how much has shifted in the span of an hour.
I now have a job.
A paycheck that can be deposited into a savings account.
It’s not a permanent situation, but it buys me a little bit of time.
And that’s exactly what I need right now.