The Single Dad: Girl’s Sexual Awakening

She was silent for a few moments while listening to the app give the next instruction and then asked, “Now that you’re starting school, will you be working as well or just focusing on classes?”

“Oh, no. I need a job.” I traced my fingers against the glass, staring at the palm trees that lined the street. “I haven’t begun looking for one, but it’s on the agenda along with getting a bed and furniture-I have nothing.” We connected eyes as she slowed for the stop sign. “I have so much to do. I’m what I call a hot mess.”

“I can take one thing off your plate. I have the perfect job for you. You could be Eve’s nanny.”

My hand immediately went to my chest. “Me?”

“If you helped homeschool three children and you’re going to UCLA to become a teacher, there isn’t a person more suited than you.”

“I don’t know …”

“Everly is a doll. I mean, sure, she gets cranky at times and throws fits-all kids do, as we know-but she’s already so smitten with you. Ford is looking for a live-in, so you wouldn’t have to buy furniture. You need a job, and he needs a nanny; it’s a match made in childcare heaven.”

I swallowed, almost choking on my spit. “So … a few things.” I took a deep breath, trying to process this. “I don’t mean to get overly graphic, but I slept with Ford last night, and he mentioned something this morning about going out again.” I paused. “I don’t know if what we have will turn into anything, but it seems like sleeping with the boss isn’t the best way to apply for the job.”

“Listen, I despise my boss. I’m talking, I loathe him in the worst way. I’d much rather be in your shoes than mine, wouldn’t you?”

“Fair enough, but …” My voice faded out as I thought about the opportunity Hannah was suggesting.

Working as a nanny wasn’t something I had even considered when I pondered ways to make money in LA. The truth was, I hadn’t really given the topic much thought at all. With the savings I’d banked over the years, I’d paid for the entire semester up front, and I still had enough to pay my rent for the rest of the year while I figured things out.

But by taking my classes online, that would leave me with lots of extra time, and I wanted to fill those hours with a job. Nannying Everly would certainly put me in the environment that I was seeking. I just didn’t know how that would affect things with Ford. I knew he didn’t want to bring women around his daughter, but would things be different with me due to my experience with kids? Or maybe because I’d already met her?

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

I was still staring out my window, but I looked at her profile as I replied, “Hannah, I just don’t know. It’s a lot to consider.”

The app told her to turn at the upcoming light, so she did and said, “How about this? Email me your resume, and I’ll pass it along to Ford’s assistant. If she likes your experience, she’ll reach out and set up an interview. Just see how it goes. If things are meant to be, they’ll work out.” She made another quick turn. “I know I would be relieved to have Everly in your care. You two really connected, and I sense you’re more than qualified-that’s for sure.”

“You’re kind to say that.”

“It’s true.”

I loved my interaction with Everly. She was definitely a sweet kid, adorable from top to bottom. Curious. Inquisitive. Extremely loving. She’d responded to Ford’s voice when he turned a little stern, and she’d calmed down when he prompted her to.

“I know I’m only judging this on a few minutes of conversation, but you have an incredible talent, Sydney. And I know it’s probably extremely selfish to say this, but I want my little Everly to reap the benefits of your talent.”

“Wow.” I wrapped my hands around my clutch, holding it against my stomach. “You have a lot of faith in me.”

“You know when your gut is telling you it’s a good thing?” She briefly faced me. “That’s happening to me now.”

“Oh, I sure do.”

“Sooo, is that a yes?”

I laughed. “You’re going to make an excellent attorney.” My phone was resting on my lap, and I lifted it into my hands and exited out of the navigation screen to open my email. “What’s your email? I’m going to send you my resume.” Out of boredom, I’d worked on it during my flight home from London, not even thinking I was going to need it this soon.

She rambled off her email, and I attached the document I’d saved in my inbox. A few seconds after I hit Send, a ding came through the speaker of her phone.

“Got it.” She pulled up to a stop sign only a few blocks from my building and looked at me. “Hey, for the time being, let’s keep this job thing between us. If you mention it to Ford, that’ll just complicate things.”

“And if he asks how I heard of the job, assuming I get that far in the process?”

Her smile didn’t fade when she said, “Get creative.”

FIVE

FORD

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addy, what are we doing today?”

Everly’s voice pulled me from my dream, and I slowly opened my eyes, seeing my little girl’s head resting on my chest. She’d come in at some point in the middle of the night, waking me almost every hour with her feet. But this position, the way she looked up at me, soft and snuggly, made up for the lack of sleep.

“What do you want to do today, baby?”

“Hmm.” She rubbed my prickly beard, her fingers getting lost in my whiskers.

“We can do anything you want.”

She sat up, resting one of her legs across me, her eyes wide and lit. “Anythiiing?”

“Well, within reason.” I pushed her curls out of her face. “I know, given the opportunity, you’d pick Disney, which wouldn’t be practical today, or to go to Uncle Jenner’s house in Utah-also not an option.”

“I want to have pancakes with the girls.”