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"Wow, what a pleasant surprise," I said, giving him a quick hug. "Come on in. Are you hungry? I've got some taco fixings in the fridge."
After accepting my invitation, Mitch rummaged through the fridge, and I continued my search from the couch. He mentioned that he couldn't sleep after I left the night before, so he went for a walk on the beach. When he came back, he started his own search for a nanny online. Rubbing my temples, I said, "Honestly, Mitch, I don't know how people find good nannies. I've gone through dozens of profiles, and I still haven't found anyone who feels right for Ava."
He swirled his taco in the zesty sauce, a glint in his eyes as he spoke. "Amy, I can't thank you enough for lending a hand. I know you've got your own fair share of troubles. Don't worry you head too much. I'm sure someone will eventually pop up."
I snapped my laptop shut, offering a warm smile. "Isn't that what friends are for?"
Mitch sauntered over and sank down beside me, our shoulders gently touching. "Speaking of support, how'd your chat with your dad go? Did he agree to back me up in the custody battle?"
I hesitated, the memory of my father's words heavy on my mind. "He did. Papa reached out to his friend and set up a Zoom call for you in a couple of days. But Mitch, he wanted me to warn you - guys like Angelo Ferrara don't come cheap, and they're in high demand. I'll text you the contact info and the Zoom link."
He gave my hand a comforting squeeze. "I can handle tough. Thank you, Amy, for making this happen for me."
"By the way, I noticed you left the office early. Everything okay there? I wrapped up my spreadsheets before lunch, and when I chatted with Courtney, she mentioned she was prepping for a crucial call with the company lawyer."
Mitch's arm slid over the back of the couch, his fingers resting on my shoulder, as he reiterated the disheartening news. "Times are tough for us. We've lost a revenue stream we were relying on, to be honest. If we don't land another big project soon, we won't be able to pay our team."
A worried frown creased my brow. "Is it really that bad? I knew things were rough, but I didn't think it was that dire."
He sighed, his gaze fixated on the floor. "It's pretty severe. As you know, we've been hoping to bounce back since we lost the grant money."
"I'm so sorry, Mitch. After everything we've been through, I'm just grateful Rosedale took me on. Can I do anything more to help?"
Mitch drew me into his embrace and tenderly kissed my nose. "Amy, don't blame yourself for someone using you to get to us. You're already going above and beyond. We're all in this together, doing what we can to keep each other afloat—and safe."
The soft chime of my phone broke the cozy silence, our minds adrift in thought. "Hmm, could be a reply to the job posting I put up," I mused.
"Let me get that for you!" Mitch leaped to fetch my phone from the kitchen counter.
"Ah, here's one. Ella Morris," I announced, snuggling closer to Mitch as we examined her application.
"Single, 45, and quite the impressive resume," he squinted, scrolling through my phone. "And she has a ton of references too."
Ella's response to my email led to us scheduling an interview for 10:00 AM the following day at Mitch's bungalow.
"It feels almost too perfect," Mitch murmured as he scooped me up, spinning me around. "How about we take a walk on the beach to unwind?"
The thought of strolling hand in hand with Mitch along the ocean's edge made my heart race. "Sounds wonderful," I agreed. "Just give me a moment to slip out of these yoga pants. They're hardly beach appropriate."
"Sure, that'll give me time to text Mike and Greg. We need them to discreetly tail us." Mitch reached for his phone.
I dashed to my bedroom, donning a chic tank top and a breezy peasant skirt. Tying a vivid, eye-catching sarong around my waist, I admired the fashionable beach look in the mirror before announcing, "Ready for the beach!"
As we stepped out of my apartment, the sun cast a warm, golden glow on the sand and waves. The cool sand under our bare feet contrasted with the pleasant air, creating a perfect setting for our delightful walk along Coronado Beach.
Mitch's hand found mine, and as our fingers intertwined, a rush of heat surged through me. We ambled in contented silence, the rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves calming our frazzled nerves.
Soon, Mitch started sharing his plans for rearranging his home to make room for his baby daughter. I could see the love and eagerness in his eyes as he showed me her picture for the umpteenth time. "She's breathtaking," I whispered, resting my head on his shoulder.
"She is," Mitch agreed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "But not as breathtaking as you."
I felt a warmth spread through me, my cheeks flushing with delight. "You always know just what to say, don't you?"
He chuckled softly. "I guess I'm just lucky that way…"
As we meandered hand in hand, life's worries seemed to melt away, replaced by a sense of peace and contentment.
Unexpectedly, Mitch stopped and turned to face me, his intense gaze searching mine. "Amy," he said, his voice low and fervent, "I know we've weathered some storms lately, but I need you to know how much I appreciate all you do for me. You're an exceptional woman, and I'm incredibly blessed to have you in my life."
