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We stay on the beach for a while, sitting together on the blanket with the ocean stretching out in front of us. Tilly eventually settles against Peyton’s chest, lulled by the waves and other sounds surrounding us. The tension that’s been living in my shoulders for days drains away.

18

OLLIE

Istare at my phone, thumb hovering over the screen. Peyton is in the nursery down the hall, humming to herself while she adds more details to the mural. Tilly sits in her bouncer on the kitchen floor.

Everything is fine. And yet my pulse is beating like I’m about to give an important presentation. All because I’m taking Peyton to the record shop later today, followed by dinner. I have absolutely no idea if this counts as a date, an outing or a friendly employer-nanny bonding experience…maybe even a one-way ticket to hell because my feelings are increasingly difficult to keep hidden.

I look down at my niece. “Be honest. Am I being overdramatic?”

She blinks slowly. Not helpful, Tills. I open my messages and scroll until I find Eli’s name. Our last exchange is about diapers and whether or not the brand Rose recommended is worth the price. Eli sent a spreadsheet for the price comparison. Of course he did.

Ollie: You free tonight?

The typing bubbles appear immediately.

Eli: Define free.

Ollie: Free to babysit for a few hours...?

Eli: Where are you going? Where’s Peyton?

My thumb hesitates again, my brain drafting the reply in fifty different ways so it sounds normal and not like I’ve been thinking about Peyton’s smile for days.

Ollie: I’m taking Peyton to that record shop I told you about and dinner after

Eli: Dinner, huh?

Ollie: It’s not a date

Eli: I didn’t say it was…

I can practically see his smug face across the river.

Ollie: We’re just hanging out. She likes music. I like music. We both like eating. Normal human activities.

Eli: You’re spiraling.

Ollie: I’m not

Eli: If you say so...

Ollie: So

Eli: You’re just going to have dinner?

I stare at his text, heat creeping up my neck. Okay, okay. Fair. Tilly squeals as if she agrees. When I glance down at her, she grins, gums on full display. I poke her belly and she giggles, the sound one of my all-time favorites.

Ollie: So can you babysit or are you too busy running a Fortune 500 company and being annoyingly right?

Eli: I’m free after five. Rose is going out with her book club and won’t be home until nine.

Ollie: Thank you

Eli: What time should I be there?

Ollie: 5:45?