Levi nods and turns to top off his mug. "That I definitely get."
My mind threatens to wander back to that gloomy, fuzzy image of what my future might look like, but I shake it off before I get in too deep. "But it'll be fine," I say, shaking it off. "It'll all work out."
The corners of Levi's lips turn up. "There he is."
I roll my eyes, then force myself to glance back over the candidates in front of me. "These are useless, aren't they?"
He blows a heavy breath through his lips. "It's definitely easier when you already know the person, or at least someone you know does."
"Yeah," I sigh. "That would be nice. Nellie tried to help, but everyone she knows from that world is already employed, I guess."
Levi clears his throat. "Speaking of her again, is it true she's dating Burnsey?"
"I think so," I answer, distracted by my attempt at making literally anything I'm reading stand out in a good way.
When Levi doesn't comment back, I look up to find him waiting for my eyes to meet his. "Are you sure we trust this woman?"
We both laugh at the thought of my former nanny dating Levi's goofiest defenseman as Sammy begins clawing at his food bowl. "Apparently, he's a lot deeper than he seems."
"That's sort of what I'm afraid of," Levi jokes. He rolls his shoulders back and smiles. "No, he's a good guy. I'm also happy to know he has to be semi-normal to land a girl like Nellie."
"What's with your team though, man? Something in the water over at the rink?"
"Pfft, I guess so. First Brooke and now Nellie."
"And don't forget you."
My little brother's face lights up at the thought of meeting his wife at the same place her best friend Brooke met the Flames' star forward. Now, Levi is with Alex, Brooke is with Drew, and Drew's teammate and best friend Brett is Nellie's new boyfriend. I shake my head at the thoughtthat the rink is like a breeding ground—and the fact that my Golden Retriever is gnawing at his metal bowl. "Remind me to keep Ruthie away from that place."
"Hold on—"
"Not now," I clarify. "I'm talking about like six years from—"
"No, not that," he interrupts. "That I agree with. I'm saying hold on because I remember Brooke was able to help me out last year as the interim social media manager because she had a friend who covered her shifts at The Gilded Pub."
"Okay?" I question, unsure of how the girl who helped Brooke, now my team's Fan's Engagement specialist, would have to do with my situation.
Man, we're a complicated bunch.
"I'm pretty sure the girl was able to cover for Brooke because the family she worked for didn't need her anymore. I wonder if she's looking."
"Really?" I ask way too enthusiastically, pulling out my phone. I don't even know if this girl's available, but the mere idea of meeting someone that a friend can vouch for is enough to give me hope. "Should I text her?"
Levi shrugs. "Why not? I think her friend's name was Jess?"
I laugh. "I don't care what her name is if she's normal and can help my kid." I pull out my phone, scrolling as quickly as I can to Brooke's name.
Hey, sorry if this is weird, but Levi says you have a friend who nannies? Any chance she's looking for work?
"Alright, sent," I say, setting my phone on the island. Sammy jumps up with his bowl in his mouth and rests his big paws on my lap.
Levi reaches across the counter to pet him and nods toward the device. "You know, if this works out, you totally owe me."
I push Sammy down, and he hangs his head, bowl still wedged between his teeth. "And if it doesn't?"
My screen lights up before he can answer. I grab it and read Brooke's response aloud.
Brooke
