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“What?” I blink at her, surprised at how specific she’s being.
“That’s what Daddy says.” She dances around. “But when I’m naughty, I’m only the third sweetest.”
“Okay.” I frown slightly, but I don’t say anything. Who am I to question Danny’s parenting techniques? Then I hear the front door opening, and I freeze. My heart races as I push the little girl behind me. “Oh my gosh. Stay back, Frannie.” I grab her hand and frantically look around for something to use as a weapon. I grab a rolling pin and head toward the front door. Is someone breaking in?
“Who is it?” I shout in my most menacing voice.
“Hey, it’s just me,” Danny says as he walks toward us, a lopsided grin on his face. “Sorry to scare you guys.”
“Oh, you’re back already?” I stare at him in surprise. “I thought you had to go to Westchester. I thought you’d be gone hours.”
“Turns out that the plan was not what I thought it was.” He stares at me for a couple of seconds and shrugs. “So I figured I’d spend some time with my two best gals.” His two best gals? I’m not sure what he means by that, and I’m not sure I want to ask him, either.
“Oh. Funny,” I respond, figuring he is joking. I am pretty sure he only made the comment to make Frannie feel good and so that I wouldn’t feel bad. I don’t want to tell him that I won’t be offended if he doesn’t include me. I am only the babysitter, after all.
“I love you, Daddy.” Frannie runs toward him, and he picks her up and spins her around. “We were just going to get pizza. Pepperoni and pineapple. Do you want to get one as well?”
“I hope you don’t mind,” I say quickly, hoping he’s not going to be mad that I’m not cooking something. “She really wanted pizza, and…”
“I love pizza.” He grins as he puts Frannie back down on the ground. He takes a step toward me and winks. “Sounds great to me. And you’re okay with pineapple and pepperoni?”
“Not my favorite,” I admit with a laugh, then hear my phone beep. I bet it’s Colton demanding something from me. I want to ignore him, but I have to admit I am intrigued as to what he wants. “Actually, seeing as you’re back, I might leave now instead. Is that okay?”
“Oh.” There’s a look of disappointment on his face, which surprises me. “Hmm, I was kind of hoping to do some work, but if you really have to go…”
“I mean, if you have to work,” I say quickly, “of course I’ll stay.” I don’t want him to think that I’m shirking my responsibilities, especially not for Colton.
“I mean, it’s okay if you have something you need to do.”
“My new boss called and said he needs to see me,” I explain, feeling guilty about the half-truth.
“She did get a phone call, and I think she has to go, Daddy.”
“Yeah. It was kind of from my new boss-ish,” I say again, not sure why I brought Colton up in that way, since he isn’t really my boss. Or anyone I really want to go rush and see.
“Oh, you got a job already. Congratulations.” He smiles, but he doesn’t seem super happy. “I’d been hoping we’d see you around here a bit more often.”
“Um, it’s kind of a job and kind of not, but…” I blush slightly. No way I want to get into this conversation with him. Even if Frannie hadn’t been there. What a mess. “But he did say he needs to see me about something.”
“Sure, Ella. If your boss is calling, you should go. Maybe next time we can have dinner.” He stares at me, and I just nod, not really sure what he’s saying. Maybe next time we can have dinner? Why would we have dinner if I am babysitting Frannie?
“Thank you. Bye, Frannie.” I lean over and give her a big hug. “See you soon?”
“Bye,” she says in her soft, sweet voice. I look over at Danny, and he embraces me in a big, warm hug.
“Thank you for always being here for us. You really are one in a million.” He rubs my back, and I just stand there slightly awkwardly. Is he pressing me into him, or am I imagining it?
“Oh, thank you.” I stand there holding him, feeling slightly weird that the hug is still continuing after twenty seconds. He’s still rubbing my back, but then he steps back.
“You really are the backbone of this family.”
“I am?” I stare at him, feeling slightly confused at his words. Am I really as good as Mary Poppins? Somehow, I doubt she’d have ordered a pizza.
“I mean, you’re always here for Frannie when I need you,” he says. “That means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome. Anytime.” I grab my belongings quickly and head to the front door. “Bye, guys. Enjoy your pizza. I’ll see you later.” I leave before he can say anything else and try not to ponder upon his words too long. Danny has always been an interesting character. I guess he really is grateful for all my help. I’ve heard it is hard to find good nannies in the city.
* * *
