Page 41 of Love Me

CHAPTER 12

hannah

The next fewweeks fly by. Liam and I fall back into our normal routine, the same one we’ve had for years. People in town smile when they see us together, some making comments that it’s about time we got together. I’m realizing that I did a really great job at living in my little bubble, ignoring the whispers and rumors that surrounded Liam and I through every stage of our lives.

He’s continued to stay close to me, being affectionate but not sexual, and has stayed within our rules. I find myself looking forward to him wrapping his huge arms around me every morning when he gets to Bean Haven, and when he pulls me in close to him on the nights he comes over for our weekly movie and pizza night, even though no one is around to see it. He feels like comfort and safety. Liam feels likehome.

My phone chimes on the counter with my sister’s notification. Wiping my flour-covered hands on my apron, I grab my phone to check the message.

Hailey: Yo, I’m bored. Need any help at the bakery?

Me: I always need help at the bakery

Harlow: Put her to work, she can’t get lazy. Make her find a real job

I outwardly roll my eyes. Like me hiring Hailey wouldn’t be a real job. Annoying.

Me: Get over here, you can run the counter while I get caught up on backorders.

Hailey: Putting myself together and then I’ll be over

The three of us couldn’t be more different. I completely missed the stereotypical firstborn genes. I rebelled from an early age, forcing Harlow to step into that type A always-have-her-shit-together role. Harlow may be the middle child, but she acts more like the eldest. She’s uppity, opinionated, brash, and can come off as a fairly uptight bitch if I’m being honest. Hailey is the complete opposite of both of us. She’s kind, soft-spoken, and a genuinely good person to be around. While she’s the baby of the family, she’s the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet and really just trying to find her way in life. I don’t think she’s ever done anything wrong and if my parents had a favorite, it would be her.

Harlow is in grad school and never home unless it’s a holiday or special occasion, but Hailey just finished getting her degree at the University of Washington after changing her major five times. They’re my parents’ pride and joy. I’m theoutsider, the one they’re stuck with but are thoroughly disappointed in.

The bell chimes out over the shop and Graham walks in with his daughter, Mila. She’s the cutest thing, and while Graham has had his fair share of troubles raising her as a single dad, he’s so attentive. He may work at the distillery hand in hand with Liam, but he’s also my dad’s best friend.

“Hey, you two. No school today, Mila?”

“I had a doctor’s appointment,” she replies while looking through my bakery case.

“It’s too late in the day to take her back to school so I’m bribing her with sweets before taking her back to work with me.”

My heart drops for him. Being a single parent is not for the weak. It’s a constant game of adaptation and hustling. He’s been single for as long as we’ve known him, just him and his little girl for the last ten years.

“I bet spending your afternoons at the distillery is fun, Mila.” But even as I say the words I realize that the distillery really isn’t a place for anyone under eighteen, and I wonder if anyone other than Liam even knows. The bell chimes again, in walks Hailey, and a lightbulb goes off in my head.

“Hey, Mr. Colson, Miss Mila! Stocking up on the good stuff?” Hailey chirps.

“Hi, Hailey. Welcome back home,” Graham greets her, and I quickly debate if I should talk to Hailey privately or just go for it.

Mila waves and continues to browse, even though she always gets the same thing, same as her dad.

“So, Hailey is home for good now, and she was just saying how she’s looking for a job.”

Hailey’s eyes snap up to mine, eyebrows raising in confusion, trying to figure out what I’m playing at.

“That so? I’ll keep my eye out if any places are hiring.”

“Well, you know, she majored in early education and there aren’t any teaching positions open right now in Aspen Ridge where she wants to stay, buuut she’d make one hell of a nanny.”

Graham finally looks up from the bakery case and faces me, then Hailey, my not-so-subtle idea planted.

“Is that something you’d be interested in doing, Hailey?” he rushes out eagerly. Poor guy. We grew up around him, he was always invited to family functions and holiday dinners since he never had a family of his own.

“Nannying? I’ve never really given it thought.” Her eyes flit to Mila, and I can see her wheels turning. Mila is ten and a very mature ten at that. This would be perfect for Hailey, and honestly, Mila, too.

“I mean, are you looking for full-time help?”

---