Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(17)

“Hi, Harley, I hope I haven’t caught you at a bad time.”

“Oh, Gavin, hey, not at all. What’s up? How’s unpacking going? How’s my favorite fairy-princess-in-training?”

He chuckles. “Unpacking is slower than I expected, and your favorite fairy princess keeps asking when we can see you again because she had so much fun at Chuck E. Cheese.”

“Are you sure it’s me that’s the common denominator, or is it the chocolate milk, pizza, endless games, and amazing prizes?”

“I have proof that you’re the common denominator because I asked if she wanted to go back there this week, and she asked if you were coming along. When I said no, she told me she’d rather not.”

“Is that so?” I grab my purse and check for my wallet and slip my feet into a pair of sandals.

“Apparently it’s not as much fun without you.”

“There’s a panda exhibit at the zoo. I could take her on Wednesday afternoon if that works for you? Unless it’s too short notice.”

“It’s not too short. I can definitely move a few things around to make that work. She really needs something to look forward to.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, for the most part. But Peyton misses the girls who lived on our street. She’s used to running down the street and knocking on a door, but Claire is a car ride away. It’s an adjustment period is all.”

“I’m sorry. That can’t be easy for either of you.”

“It’ll be fine. School starts soon. But the zoo will be a great carrot to dangle in front of her. I really appreciate you giving up your afternoon for us.”

“Honestly, it’s my pleasure, Gavin. You know how much I love Peyton. And I love the zoo and was planning to go on my own, so now I’ll have company.” I’m a bit surprised that he’s willing to move his work around for a trip to the zoo, but I guess it would make sense that he wants time with Peyton before school starts.

“Okay. Great. Thanks again. I’ll touch base on Wednesday morning.”

“Perfect, talk to you then. And if you need anything, just call.”

“I will. You’re a godsend. Have a good night, Harley.”

“You too.” I end the call and glance up to see Chad standing in the kitchen, checking his reflection in the mirror by the door.

“Who was that?”

“Just one of the dads I used to nanny for. They moved back into the area and they’re just getting settled in.”

“How old is the kid now?” He runs his fingers through his hair and checks out his profile.

“Peyton is nine.”

“So that was a while ago? How old was she when you nannied for this guy?”

“I took care of her when she was an infant until she was a year and a half.”

“Must be nice to be able to afford to have someone else raise your kids for you,” he scoffs.

I purse my lips. “His wife died in childbirth.”

He stops messing with his shirt and his eyebrows lift. “Shit. That’s harsh. I didn’t realize that was something that still happens.”

“Unfortunately, it can happen. Anyway, I was close with the family, and I’m a familiar face, which Peyton could use a little of with such a big move.”

“Yeah. Sure. They do realize that you’re not a nanny anymore, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Don’t want anyone edging in on my time with my girlfriend.” He winks. “You ready to go? I’m starving.” He leans in and snaps his teeth together close to my jaw in a way that makes me flinch. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He kisses my cheek softly before lacing his fingers through mine. “Come on, our friends are waiting on us.”





Five


CALLING IN A FAVOR


HARLEY

“I have some really great news for you,” my brother-in-law says as I drop into the chair across from him.

It’s Tuesday afternoon, and the four of us usually spend the morning reviewing the schedule for the week, then we break to tackle calls and anything that needs to be handled for the event later in the week. We follow that with a working lunch to plan for the coming month. Since our events often happen over the weekend, Mondays are sometimes a work-from-home day, depending on the scope of the upcoming event.

“What kind of good news?” I take a sip from my travel mug and set a Tupperware container of scones in the middle of the table. Last night I ended up getting sucked into a foodie show focused on scones, which inspired me to bake some of my own.

“We scheduled a birthday party just for you.”

“I thought they were money-suckers, not moneymakers.”

“Normally this is accurate; however, it’s a sweet-sixteen party, and the family is loaded, so it’s going to be huge, like 150 guests and lots of out-of-towners,” Declan says.

“And we’ll need your party-throwing skills and London’s creative brain to pull this one off,” Avery adds as she plops down into her chair. She reaches for a scone and takes a huge bite, groaning through a mouthful about how good they are.

Declan reaches over and rubs her pregnant belly as crumbs fall and makes a joke about feeding the beast. Their love is the kind that warms the room. And he calms her in a way no one else can. Having him on board the last few years has been amazing, especially since he’s been a regular fixture in our lives since Avery was in college. They’re best friends, work partners, and now they’re going to be parents.