“You know,” I pat him on the shoulder with a grin, “I feel like I’ve heard that from a lot of the parents I know. And if it’s any consolation, I think that’s a good sign.”
There’s a hard chuckle that leaves him, and then Easton shakes his head. “What do you mean?”
“Well,” I lean back, staring up at the sky as I try to find the right words, knowing how important they can be, “if you feel like it’s hard, and if you’re not just going, ‘oh, this is no big thing. I don’t see what the fuss is all about,’ that means you care about doing a good job. About being there for Jade.”
Easton gets quiet, his eyes finding Jade as she swings on the monkey bars. A soft smile creeps up the corner of his mouth, and I can’t help but feel warm from head to toe when I see it.
“You’re doing fine, Easton. You care about her, and you’re trying to make it all work. That’s all anyone could do in this situation.”
Flicking his eyes to mine, Easton holds my stare. The air crackles between us as we both just hold the eye contact, falling into the familiar space of comfort and attraction.
The space I thought I had left behind.
My mouth is suddenly very dry, and I can feel my heart beating against my ribs.
“Thank you, Hazel.”
I smile, forcing myself to keep it small, to keep calm and collected even as my insides feel like they’re on fire.
“You’re welcome.”
Why does he have to look at me like that?
I realize I can’t look away, even as the prolonged eye contact makes the butterflies in my stomach swoop. There’s so much behind his expression, the way he’s holding me with his gaze like he’s terrified that I might evaporate.
Or worse, like I might stay with him forever.
My brain is short-circuiting, and it’s like staring in a mirror. I know I look the same.
“Uncle Easton, look!”
Jade calls out from the monkey bars, and we both look over to see her hanging upside down with a massive grin on her face.
She’s done an impressive job getting herself up there, and Easton laughs.
“Well done, kiddo!” He gives her a thumbs-up. “Just don’t barf.”
Giggling, Jade flips herself around and then waves for him to come over. “Would you push me on the swings?”
Sighing, Easton stands up and walks over toward her. “Of course.”
I watch from the bench, letting them have their moment. I’m still not sure what I’m feeling right now, too many thoughts spiraling through my mind.
Was this smart? Did I shoot myself in the foot agreeing to be his nanny?
We have so much history that it feels impossible to make an objective decision about something that concerns Easton.
I want to help, to be the type of person who goes out of their way to ensure a kid has the resources they need, but when said kid is attached to my ex-boyfriend, the lines get blurry.
But maybe I’m overreacting. It’s probably all in my head, and things will get better once I’ve been around for a while.
After all, I’m sure Easton isn’t interested in dredging up the past, and I’m certainly not either.
We just need to play it cool, be professional, and focus on Jade. Easy as pie.
A warm summer breeze drifts past me, reminding me how hot it really is outside, and I swear I can hear the wind say, “Whatever you say, Hazel.”
SEVEN
