Page 11 of Let's Be Forever

“Yo quiero.” Rosie climbs on my laps, her sparkling pale green eyes hungrily staring at the pastry on my plate.

I break off a piece and place it into her parted mouth. “Mmmm,” she hums, hardly chewing before she’s swallowing. “Mas.”

“Come despacio,” I warn before I give her more.

Aside from Rosie playing with her toys and every so often coming to me or Maya for a bite, it’s quiet. We’re okay, but it also feels awkward. I’m stuck between feeling really good that she’s back and worried I’m going to hear an “I told you so.”

I shouldn’t assume, but she’s fidgeting, and I feel her eyes on me.

“What?” I finally ask because I can’t handle the quiet or her probing stare.

She sits up, placing her empty plate on top of the coffee table. She clears her throat, stare drifting to Rosie before it bounces back to me. “I know I just showed up out of nowhere, and it’s okay if you say no, but I’m going to ask.”

“Okay?” I’m not certain what she’s going to say, but it’s definitely not an “I told you so.”

“If you feel comfortable, I’d like to watch Rosie while you work. I know it’s been hard on you, splitting your attention. No pressure, but I just thought I’d offer, since I’m not doing anything.”

I stare, stupefied. I didn’t know what to expect, but that wasn’t it. “But aren’t you applying for jobs?” I set my plate on my lap and catch her eyes. “I appreciate it, but I can’t afford to pay you. I was exchanging babysitting services for pastries and the odd errand. She didn’t drive, so I took her to appointments and to the grocery store each week.”

Her brow furrows. “Who’s Yara again?”

“She’s Jenny’s aunt. I needed a place to stay and a sitter when I left New York.” I keep my answer short.

It’s not a long, harrowing story, but it still sucks to talk about it.

She must sense that because she nods and answers my previous question. “I don’t need you to pay me. I have enough saved to float me for a while.” Her tone is mischievous and a smirk tips on her lips.

“What’s with the look?”

“I knew he’d been cheating for a while.” Her jaw tics. “But I didn’t tell him. I stayed because he’d been willing to pay for everything while I was in school. So I took advantage of it. I still worked on the side, saved up money, and once I knew I had enough, I left my ring on his nightstand and took off.”

“You’re telling me he doesn’t know?” My jaw drops.

“No, and he never will. I doubt he even misses me. I blocked him everywhere and intend to keep it that way.” She lifts shoulder in a half shrug. I can tell she’s not over it, that she’s hurting, but she’s playing it off. “Anyway, if you feel comfortable,let me watch Rosie. I have some experience watching kids. I’m fairly decent with them.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

“I’m just being honest, but I swear she’ll be in good hands. And don’t be stubborn. I really don’t need your money. Let me help you, you could definitely…” Her gaze drifts over my small apartment. “Use it.”

“Don’t look at my home like that.” I fold my arms against my chest. “It’s the best I could do, but the bakery is doing okay, so maybe next year.”

Or two, but I don’t tell her that.

“I’m happy for you…I know this was always your dream, and I’m glad to know it finally became a reality.”

“Me too.” I flash her a small smile, and she offers me one in return. My hands twitch at my sides, but I don’t lift them or lean in to hug her and she doesn’t either. We never have, and I’m not sure it’s something we’ll start doing anytime soon. “Rosie is a lot. Don’t let her innocent little face fool you. She’s a menace and?—”

“Don’t worry, I have it all under control. You just worry about your bakery, and I’ll take good care of her.”

I can’t believe it took this long, but it feels like things are finally settling into place. Moving to Boston was possibly one of the best things to happen to me.

“I still can’t believe Maya is watching Rosie or that she’s back and you guys are okay.” Jenny shakes her head in disbelief from the small screen of my phone. “Tell me everything.”

She’s a pharmacy tech and is currently on break, so she called me because she’s nosy and wants an update. We don’t talk as much as we used to, and while we live only a few hours apart, life is busy.

“There’s not much to say. It’s no different than it was on Monday, but so far so good. Rosie is over the moon.”

Maya has been watching Rosie for five days now and while work has become a lot easier, I’m also a little on edge. She’s only ever stayed with Yara and occasionally Jenny and Em. And it’s not that I don’t trust Maya, I do, but almost three-year-olds are a lot. My sister hasn’t complained; in fact, she’s happy to be with her.