“Jesus,” he curses under his breath. “Twenty-two? Absolutely not. No.”
“Ellis, wait. Listen?—”
“You realize you’d have to marry me, right?”
“Yes.”
“Your life is just starting. You’d tie yourself to a strange man and child at your age? Perhaps that’s a sign of your mental state, and I should definitely cancel this whole thing.”
“Daddy?” we hear before the front door opens.
“Olive, please go back inside. I’ll be right?—”
Too late.
“Hi,” she enthusiastically greets, tilting her head. “Is she my new nanny?”
“No.”
“Nanny?” I ask. Is that what he told her?
“I like your dress. It’s pretty,” she says.
This kid is adorable! I kneel as she approaches. “Hi. I’m Iris.” I reach my hand out.
“I’m Olive,” she says, shaking my hand. “I hate Olives. I tell Daddy to change my name. He doesn’t.”
“Olive is a beautiful name,” I enthuse. “That color green is one of my favorites.”
“Green?” She tilts her head.
“Olive,” Ellis calls, gently pulling his daughter back toward him by her shoulder. “Head inside, kiddo. Let me finish talking with Miss Clarke here.”
“I thought her name was Iris?”
“It is. Inside, please.”
Her sweet, docile face suddenly shifts and scrunches. “Fine. I don’t wanna. But I will.”
“Appreciate the sacrifice. Inside, baby girl.”
She dramatically stomps inside. My chest aches in a good way as I laugh. Ellis faces me and grunts, giving me that intense stare again.
I swallow the rest of my laugh and get serious.
I’m a fan of that kid already.
“What’s your plan then?” I ask. “From what I gathered, you needed this arrangement yesterday. We lost our parents when I was seventeen. I’ve had to grow up faster than most, Ellis. I do not take this arrangement lightly, and I will not flake on you down the line.”
“You have no desire to one day fall in love and get married for real?” he questions.
“We would be getting married for real. And no, life isn’t kind to those who love. I plan on living a practical life. Not to say I won’t grow to love that little girl fiercely, but beyond that, no. As sweet as the idea of traversing the wild world of dating in hopes of landing the one cosmic dust chance you find an equal, life consists of more than that. And not all of us are granted the luxury of spending it wistfully when there are mouths to feed and bills to pay.”
Ellis’ stare throughout my monologue morphs into various emotions I can’t read yet. His silent assessment is unnerving, but I remain confident in my conviction.
“My daughter, Olive, is very smart. She’s also currently displaying a love for art. Would you nurture that curiosity and creativity or discourage it for practical thinking?”
Good question, Ellis Michaels. Check.
