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I follow Ember’s hand to the pendant around her neck. It’s a small sun.
“Well, thank you. I’m wearing it because it was a gift from my mom. She calls me her sunshine.”
“Like the song?”
“Yeah, just like the song.”
Leaning back in the chair, I observe the interaction between the two. Ember doesn’t have a damn bit of experience, but I’ll be damned if she isn’t amazing with Amelia, and Amelia already seems to adore her, especially if her reactions to her other babysitters are any indication.
“Do you want to see what Aunt Charlie bought me today?” Amelia asks. Without waiting for a reply, Amelia thrusts the Barbie doll into Ember’s face.
Without skipping a beat, Ember emits an excited “wow” that nearly matches the look on Amelia’s face.
“I used to have a Barbie that looked just like this,” she tells Amelia.
“Maybe we could play Barbies together,” Amelia suggests.
“I would like that, but….” Ember replies.
“How about tomorrow?”
“Huh?” Ember’s eyes widen, confusion written all over her gorgeous face.
Rising from my seat, I tell her, “You’re hired.”
“She is?” Mark asks. I may not see the amusement on his face because my eyes are locked on Ember, but I know it’s there.
“I am?” Ember looks even more confused than I am by my proclamation.
The only one who doesn’t seem to be confused is Amelia. She claps her hands, elated she found someone more equipped to play Barbies with her than I am.
“Can you guys give us a minute? Alone?” I ask Mark and Charlie.
“But Daddy…” I level her with a glare. The look doesn’t intimidate her, it only makes her pout and stomp her feet. Mark looks as if he’s about to do the same, refusing to get up from his seat until Charlie nearly drags him out by his shirt.
“You don’t have to do this,” Ember tells me.
“Do what?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.
“Hire me. I know it was a snap decision, and…”
“Do I look like a guy who makes snap decisions?” Ember remains silent. “I hired you because Amelia has never reacted like that to anyone. She likes you. She’s comfortable with you.”
“But I don’t know anything about taking care of kids. Not really, I mean. And you wanted a nanny, qualified nanny.”
“To be fair, you’re probably about as qualified as I am to be a father.” I chuckle. “I know no more than you do. At least you had a little brother to look after. I was an only child, and my parents died when I was a kid. I have no clue what I'm doing being a dad, but Amelia trusts me, and she trusts you. I… well, I trust her judgment.”
Ember still looks uncertain. “What about our… intimate knowledge of each other?”
That is a bit of an issue. As much as I want her, if I give her this job, nothing can happen between us again.
“Based on how you ran out on me, I don’t think that will be an issue.”
“You said you wouldn’t hold that against me.”
“And I didn’t. Not when it comes to the job, at least.”
“I shouldn’t have left like that.”
