Ethan's whole face lit up at the mention of his son. "He's a great kid. I think you two will get along well."
"I actually worked at a Lego League when I was in high school," I offered. "I loved seeing what those kids would come up with."
"Really?" Ethan looked genuinely delighted. "That's fantastic. Leo just started, but he's obsessed. When I was his age, I was just the dork who loved Legos. It's nice that there's a place for kids like him now."
"I'm excited to see him in action."
Ethan's expression turned slightly more serious, his gaze assessing but kind. "If I may say so, Noah wasn't exaggerating. You're going to fit right in here."
The compliment caught me off guard, and I felt heat creep up my neck. "Thank you. I hope so."
"Shall we?" He gestured toward Noah's house.
As we walked up the path, I tried to steady my nerves. Ethan seemed nice—warm, clearly devoted to his son. If the other fathers were anything like him and Noah, this might actually be wonderful.
When we reached the door, I lifted my hand to knock, but Ethan reached around me and simply opened it, stepping inside like he'd done it a thousand times.
Right. They were close enough to just walk into each other's homes.
"Guys?" Ethan called out.
The thunder of small feet echoed through the house, and then a little boy with dark hair in a short ponytail came barreling around the corner. "Daddy!"
Ethan crouched down just in time to catch him.
"Hey! How's my little mechanic?"
"I'm good! I built a race car in school today."
"Did you?" Ethan's pride was obvious. "That's more race cars than I've ever built."
Leo beamed, and something in my chest warmed. This was why I'd wanted this job—moments like this, the pure love between parent and child.
Ethan stood, lifting Leo with him, and turned to me. "I want you to meet someone. This is Aria. She's going to be your new nanny."
I pulled the small wrapped car from my bag and held it out. "Hi, Leo. I got this for you."
Leo's eyes went wide as he unwrapped it—the green hot rod with red details. "Look, Daddy!"
"I see it. Wasn't that nice? Can you say hi?"
"Hi," Leo said softly, clutching the car.
More footsteps, and suddenly the entryway was full of people. Noah appeared with two blonde boys flanking him, his hands resting on their heads.
"Aria, you're here." His smile was genuine, welcoming. "These are my boys. Oliver"—he tapped the one on the left—"and Theo." The one on the right.
"Hi, Oliver. Hi, Theo." I smiled at them both.
A man with warm brown skin and short hair stepped forward, extending his hand. "I'm Liam."
Before I could respond, a little girl with beautiful curly hair in two pigtails bounded around him. "Hi! I'm Mila!"
"Hi, Mila! I'm Aria."
Two more men entered—both tall, both striking in completely different ways.
The first had short blonde hair and bright blue eyes, a tribal tattoo sleeve down his left arm, and a quirky half-smile. He held a little boy who looked just like him.
