AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“This Milo?” I ask, trying not to snort at how shitty this impression is. But it was the last idea I had.
“Yes it is,” he replies in a flat, uneasy tone, clearly waiting to see what he’ll have to put up with this time.
“Heard ya need a nanny,” I bellow, adding in a snotty snorting sound like I’ve had a cold. “I’ve had about fourteen kids myself. Strong believer in corporal punishment and lots of chores. Ain’t no kid needs to be doing that PlayStation or messin’ around with toys. In my household, we work. Do you provide food? I need to have all the red meat. Don’t want none of that sissy stuff like vegetables.”
“Oh dear god,” I hear him say faintly like he’s pulled the phone away from his face. “Please, never call here again.” The please sounds rather forced, and I can tell he’s at his wit's end as he hangs up.
I snicker, noticing that was the fastest I’d gotten him off the phone so far. When I call this next time, I can hear how tired poor Milo is, so I decide to drop the charade and go easy on him.
“Hello, my name is True, and I’m calling about the live-in nanny position?” I say, using my sweet customer service voice.
“How old are you?” Milo barks, and I can’t hold back my smile. I did a number on his patience.
“I’m twenty-six, sir. I’m CPR certified and currently live alone. No boyfriends or anything, either.” I chuckle, knowing the last thing Milo wants is someone dividing their attention between his kid and her boyfriend.
“Thank fuck. Can you start Monday? Move-in over the weekend? After I run a background check and meet you, that is,” he adds, almost like an afterthought. Maybe I traumatized the poor man more than I thought with all my voices.
“That would be great. Is there a local park your son likes to visit? We could meet there for lunch tomorrow afternoon?” I pour sugar into my tone and then chuckle when Milo sighs.
He gives me the details of our meeting spot, which is the same park as earlier, and I agree to meet him there promptly at noon.
“I’ll be in a pink dress,” I tell him before hanging up.
* * *
Milo
“Another nanny?” Cooper whines, and I nod, as I tug him along beside me. I know he’s had his fill of terrible nannies at this point and is as over them as I am, but I’m running out of options and need someone pronto. With how much I’m spending on regular babysitters between each nanny, it’s evident I need to just find one permanent person to fill the role.
The walk from our complex to the park is a very short one. Cooper seems to think it’s sixty thousand miles, though, because he complains every time. Funny, because he always finds the energy to do sprints around the playground once we arrive.
I wish I had his energy, his drive for life, and the ability to love every second of his day.
Kids man.
I look up, searching the grassy area for a woman in pink. When I see her, I groan internally. Ultimately, as long as she’s a decent human, this decision is up to Cooper. But this woman looks like she stepped off the set of that chick flick Legally Blonde, minus the blonde hair.
“Dad! A fairy!” Coop squeals, and takes off running for the only woman in a pink sweater dress and nude pantyhose. Her knee-high boots are a shade of pink as well, and I can see why my son called her a fairy.
“Well, hello there, you must be my new best friend, Cooper!” True says as Coop launches himself at her. She catches him effortlessly with a wide smile and a loud giggle. He reaches his hand up, and touches the air behind her back, searching for something.
“Look at her wings, dad!” my son says excitedly, and I sigh.
“The doctor says it’s normal for kids who—” I go to explain his behavior, but she cuts me off.
“I was hoping you’d like them! They can’t help me fly, but they sure are pretty, huh!” True says, wiggling her shoulders and playing along. I tilt my head, wondering if maybe I missed a pair of fake wings. Nope. Just pink on pink on pink.
“Hello, Milo,” True says as she rises from her knees and holds her dainty hand out to me. “It’s very nice to meet you, sir.” I swallow thickly because a beautiful woman rising from her knees and calling me sir? I clear my throat and nod curtly as I quickly shake her outstretched hand.
“Nice to meet you too, True. Please, call me Milo.” I tip my head, needing to break direct eye contact. “Just Milo,” I add, in case she attempted to call me Mr. Evans next. Not much better than sir. Once the shock of her beauty wears off, the effect of her words will too.
Many women are beautiful, and most of them are cruel, in my experience. I don’t give a shit what she does to men in her free time, so long as she’s dedicated to my son when she’s caring for him.
“My favorite color race car is pink,” True says suddenly, turning back to Cooper, who beams up at her like she hung the moon.
“Mine is yellow!” Coop shouts, as he thrusts his hand in her face, holding up the yellow sports car he carries everywhere.
“Oh, wow!” True smiles, and I look away. It’s an infectious sort of smile. One that makes everyone nearby happy, without knowing why. I don’t want to smile for her.Becauseof her.
