“If it’s not proper food, then why do you buy it?” he quips.
Mila snorts then quickly covers her mouth to stifle it. Jake and I both glance at her.
“Sorry,” she smirks, “but he has a point.”
I pin her with an expression that says she’s clearly a traitor, and it only makes her chuckle more. I look down at my quick-witted son and introduce him to his new babysitter.
“Jake, this is Mila. You remember her, right? She’s Aunty Skylar’s little sister.”
Jake looks up at her, tilting his head to one side and blinking slowly, as though he’s determining whether he recognises her. “You don’t look like Aunty Skylar.”
“Well, that’s because she looks more like our mother and I look exactly like my dad,” she replies.
“Is she visiting too? I miss her,” he says, glancing towards the door as if expecting her to walk in any moment.
Mila and I look at each other, neither of us not knowing how to respond. Then, Mila crouches down to Jake’s level, gazing at him with a warm, gentle smile. “No, sweetie. Your Aunty Skylar won’t be coming today, but I’ll make sure to tell her that you miss her very much.”
Okay, that’s good—short and sweet. Just how I would’ve done it. She’s already handling my kid like a pro.
I clear my throat. “Mila’s here because she’ll be looking after you while I’m at work.
She’s your new babysitter. Are you okay with that?” For some reason, I hold my breath, waiting for his answer. Maybe because if Jake says no, I honestly don’t know what I’ll do.
After what feels like an eternity, Jake finally responds. “Do you like Super Mario Kart?” he asks Mila, his expression turning serious.
Still kneeling, Mila breaks into a wide grin. “Played it since I was a kid. It’s one of my favourite games,” she answers genuinely.
Jake’s face instantly lights up, and he quickly turns his attention back to me. “Okay, Dad, she can stay.” With that, he strolls into the living room, the sound of the TV following just moments later.
As soon as my eyes meet Mila’s, we both crack up laughing.My kid is truly something. I stretch out my hand for Mila to stand, and she takes it. “That went well, don’t you think?”
She snorts again and shakes her head. “He’s adorable, and pretty wise for someone so young. I think I’ll have my work cut out for me.”
“Yes, don’t be fooled by those innocent green eyes and golden curly locks. He can be quite the little menace when he wants to be. But underneath it all, he’s a really sweet kid once you get to know him.”
“I’m really looking forward to it.” She smiles, her eyes reflecting sincerity.
For a moment, we stand in awkward silence, neither of us sure what to say next. A quick glance at my watch reminds me I’ve only got ten minutes to spare before I need to be at work.
“I should probably get going,” I say, pointing a thumb towards the front door. “Jake’s dinner is in the fridge—just heat it up in the microwave for three minutes. He also had a bath a couple ofhours ago, so no need for another one tonight unless you decide to take him for a swim in the pool. His bedtime is at eight. He likes to watch a movie just before and then have a story read to him before he falls asleep.”
She nods in understanding. “Dinner, fridge, microwave, no bath unless he goes for a swim, movie, story, then bedtime at eight. Got it!” she repeats, counting off each step on her fingers.
I shake my head and chuckle, clearly impressed by her attentiveness. “I’ll keep my phone on me if you need to contact me. If I don’t respond, just call the restaurant. The number’s on the fridge.” I pat the back of my jeans to make sure I’ve got my phone and wallet, then call out to Jake. “Alright mate, I’m going now. Wanna say goodbye to your old man?”
Seconds later, I hear the sound of heavy footsteps approaching, and Jake comes charging around the corner, flinging himself at me and clinging tightly to my leg. Knowing exactly what he wants me to do, I turn and head towards the front door with Jake still wrapped around my leg like a spider monkey, giggling with every step I make.
Mila follows closely behind, watching us quietly with an amused expression on her face.
As we reach the door, I gently lift Jake off my leg and hold him close, wrapping him in a gentle hug. “You be good for Mila, okay. I’ll be back later tonight. Love you buddy,” I whisper into his ear as I plant a kiss on the side of his head.
I feel him nod against the crook of my neck before he pulls back to look at me.
“Make big money, Dad. Love you too.”
I glance over at Mila, who raises an eyebrow at me in question, and I simply shrug in response. Who knows where my boy picked up that line from, but he says it nearly every time I leave for work, and it never gets old.
Jake gives me one last hug before I carefully set him down on his feet. Reaching for my keys from the bowl on the hallway table, I open the door and make my way towards my Ranger, taking each step slowly.
