Page 16 of The Single Dad

“Oh, yeah.” He nods. “She told me about that. What’s up?”

“I was just wondering—what’s she up to?”

A guarded, protective look comes into Noah’s eye. He folds his arms slightly, his body language closing off. “Why do you ask?”

“I’ve been looking for a new nanny for Archie,” I confess. “Yesterday, he was having a little bit of a temper tantrum on the sidewalk, and she managed to calm him down almost instantly. I think she might be a great fit for the job.”

Noah’s caution instantly lifts, and his mood changes to one of obvious delight. He grins, seeming pleased. “Oh, she definitely would be,” he agrees. “Riley’s great with kids. With all people, really.”

“I wanted to ask you a bit about her, if that’s okay?”

“Shoot.”

“You know her pretty well, right?”

He laughs brightly. “Oh, hell yeah. Riley’s my sister—not by blood, but in every way that matters. We’ve been tight for years.”

That explains the flash of defensiveness when I asked about her. Brotherly instincts. I have to push down the little flare of grief in my chest as the thought of Rebecca crosses my mind; we used to be the same way.

“Riley told me she just got out of grad school,” I say.

He nods, reaching to pick up his cup of coffee from the table. “She put herself through school,” he tells me. “Worked a dead-end job the whole time, and wouldn’t take a single dime from me, no matter how much I pestered her about it. She’s not the best at accepting help. Some people just really like to earn what they have.”

That resonates; I know plenty of those people. “And what’s she doing right now?”

He snorts, shaking his head. “Working another shitty job, of course. The market’s tough right now if you’re searching for a career, and Riley’s picky about where she wants to work. So she’s at a restaurant, waiting tables.”

“Really? With a graduate degree?”

“Yep.” He sets the coffee back down with a sigh. “I’d love to see her in a better job, if possible. I keep telling her to quit at the restaurant and let me pay her rent while she’s searching for the right position, but she keeps telling me to shove it.”

I don’t want to admit it out loud, but I’m even more impressed by her now—and more curious about her. I like that she’s a hard worker, not just as a potential employer, but as a person. I run into too many people who are reluctant to put in the work, but expect to reap all of the rewards.

I pick up the coffee, taking a small sip while I think of what to say next. Eventually, I ask, “Do you have a way I could get in touch with her?”

“Sure,” Noah says. “I’ll write down her contact info for you, if you want.”

“That would be great.”

Chapter 5

Riley

Warm water pools around my calves as I luxuriate in my apartment’s cramped bathtub, doing my best to relax after a mid shift at the restaurant.

Olivia was the one who suggested it. While we were at the bar the other night, she told me that I seemed stressed, and that I should try to unwind after work. So on my way home from work today, I stopped at a boutique to pick up some bath bombs and incense.

When I got home, I lit a couple of candles, turned the lights low, and made myself a cup of rose hip tea. Incense is technically not allowed in my apartment—nor are candles—but I decided to give myself a pass on my landlord’s behalf. I ordered some takeout and turned the ringer off on my phone.

Now, I’m soaking in fresh, bubbly water that smells like bergamot and is tinged a pleasant pink. I lean my head back against the rim of the tub, taking a deep breath and doing my best to relax.

As always, it’s difficult. The second my mind has a free moment, my thoughts drift to the same place they always do—to the future.

There’s nothing less relaxing to think about than the future.

I’m stuck in a dead-end job, and I don’t see any signs of that changing. After the rejection several days ago, I haven’t even had a shred of false hope to cling to.

No love life to speak of, either. Not for a while.

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