Megan could supply one. Maybe even Aunt Cassidy.
Mrs. McCarthy looked astonished. “Wow, that’s quite impressive. That’s not necessary, though. I got invited to a dinner event in the city and I haven’t had time to get a babysitter since I’ve been back. I have three kids, which I know seems like a lot, but they’re well behaved. You will certainly be well compensated for your help on such short notice.”
Nathan allowed himself a moment to ponder what she meant by well compensated before answering. “That’s no trouble at all. What time would you like me to come by?” Finals started that Monday, but Nathan was not going to miss what he felt could be an act of divine intervention for his love life.
Mrs. McCarthy seemed overly ecstatic with his reply. “Oh, great. I know it’s short notice, but would you be able to come by at four forty-five? I can explain things to you and introduce you to the kids. You really are a life saver,” she said, with a huge smile on her face. She wrote down her address on a napkin and gave it to him. Nathan tried not to look too pleased with the arrangement.
“Okay, I’ll see you then, Mrs. McCarthy.”
“Please call me Jackie,” she replied. “See you soon.” As she left, she gave Nathan a little wave, something he wanted to interpret as flirtatious.
He didn’t move for what felt like an eternity but in reality it was only a few minutes. He struggled to process what had happened. He hadn’t written off his dream as a sign that he missed Sarah. His unfamiliarity with Mrs. McCarthy had made her a likely stand-in for Sarah until now. He didn’t have to get past the first page of Google to know that dreams often included people one had recent interactions with.
Though the odds that he’d come across her at some point in the summer were high, Nathan still felt like it was more than a chance encounter. He found himself in the middle of a strange coincidence that felt like divine intervention. Though he found himself in her employment rather than on a beach with a plate of cheese and dried meat.
What Nathan was feeling could not be considered sensations of attraction just yet. Confusion would certainly be a fitting word once again. Superstition could also be thrown in there. Delusion was another, but not one that he would use. He wasn’t foolish enough not to denounce these feelings as strange, but that didn’t seem important. Not yet at least.
Mr. Martinez walked by again. “Good swim, Nathan?” he asked.
“Wondrous,” he replied, with a mischievous look on his face.
Chapter 9
Aunt Cassidy was delighted to hear that Nathan would be out babysitting that night. This was surprising as finals were around the corner, and it was Thursday, but this was enough to draw an, “Oh, isn’t that just wonderful,” from his aunt. This was a popular expression of hers to describe Nathan’s normal activities.
The truth was, she worried about him a lot, and he was well aware of it. Cassidy did not really know Nathan all that well when he moved in, but she was already experienced at the art of trying to make people feel welcome in her home.
What Cassidy wanted was something Nathan couldn’t offer. He knew she wanted a normal life, and she wanted to be a great advice giver in her family.
Nathan’s independence was shown by his frequent offers to cook family dinners, which Martin appreciated, but Cassidy seemed to dislike.
Jerome had chosen to leave his house unoccupied while he was away in London. He didn’t like the idea of people living in his home and sleeping in his bed, so he left it empty while Nathan went to live with the Thompsons. He told Nathan not to have any parties, and so far that had been obeyed. Nathan did not think it was a good idea to let anyone besides Griffin know that he had an open house for the entirety of the year. The house would always be available and there wouldn’t be much of it left if he divulged
Mrs. McCarthy looked astonished. “Wow, that’s quite impressive. That’s not necessary, though. I got invited to a dinner event in the city and I haven’t had time to get a babysitter since I’ve been back. I have three kids, which I know seems like a lot, but they’re well behaved. You will certainly be well compensated for your help on such short notice.”
Nathan allowed himself a moment to ponder what she meant by well compensated before answering. “That’s no trouble at all. What time would you like me to come by?” Finals started that Monday, but Nathan was not going to miss what he felt could be an act of divine intervention for his love life.
Mrs. McCarthy seemed overly ecstatic with his reply. “Oh, great. I know it’s short notice, but would you be able to come by at four forty-five? I can explain things to you and introduce you to the kids. You really are a life saver,” she said, with a huge smile on her face. She wrote down her address on a napkin and gave it to him. Nathan tried not to look too pleased with the arrangement.
“Okay, I’ll see you then, Mrs. McCarthy.”
“Please call me Jackie,” she replied. “See you soon.” As she left, she gave Nathan a little wave, something he wanted to interpret as flirtatious.
He didn’t move for what felt like an eternity but in reality it was only a few minutes. He struggled to process what had happened. He hadn’t written off his dream as a sign that he missed Sarah. His unfamiliarity with Mrs. McCarthy had made her a likely stand-in for Sarah until now. He didn’t have to get past the first page of Google to know that dreams often included people one had recent interactions with.
Though the odds that he’d come across her at some point in the summer were high, Nathan still felt like it was more than a chance encounter. He found himself in the middle of a strange coincidence that felt like divine intervention. Though he found himself in her employment rather than on a beach with a plate of cheese and dried meat.
What Nathan was feeling could not be considered sensations of attraction just yet. Confusion would certainly be a fitting word once again. Superstition could also be thrown in there. Delusion was another, but not one that he would use. He wasn’t foolish enough not to denounce these feelings as strange, but that didn’t seem important. Not yet at least.
Mr. Martinez walked by again. “Good swim, Nathan?” he asked.
“Wondrous,” he replied, with a mischievous look on his face.
Chapter 9
Aunt Cassidy was delighted to hear that Nathan would be out babysitting that night. This was surprising as finals were around the corner, and it was Thursday, but this was enough to draw an, “Oh, isn’t that just wonderful,” from his aunt. This was a popular expression of hers to describe Nathan’s normal activities.
The truth was, she worried about him a lot, and he was well aware of it. Cassidy did not really know Nathan all that well when he moved in, but she was already experienced at the art of trying to make people feel welcome in her home.
What Cassidy wanted was something Nathan couldn’t offer. He knew she wanted a normal life, and she wanted to be a great advice giver in her family.
Nathan’s independence was shown by his frequent offers to cook family dinners, which Martin appreciated, but Cassidy seemed to dislike.
Jerome had chosen to leave his house unoccupied while he was away in London. He didn’t like the idea of people living in his home and sleeping in his bed, so he left it empty while Nathan went to live with the Thompsons. He told Nathan not to have any parties, and so far that had been obeyed. Nathan did not think it was a good idea to let anyone besides Griffin know that he had an open house for the entirety of the year. The house would always be available and there wouldn’t be much of it left if he divulged
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