Page 57 of Beautiful Small Things

“I’m one hundred percent sure,” she says, reaching out to touch Iris’s blonde hair.

BUURRRRRP! Both of our eyes widen, and we start laughing at how such a big noise can come from such a small person.

“I’d like to help, Marcus,” she says with a smile. “I know it doesn’t make sense, but I feel a connection to her. I’d like to spend time with her.”

“Great. You’re hired,” I tell her. “Can you start now? I’d like to take a shower and drink this coffee.”

“Sure,” she laughs. “Give me that baby.”

I emerge from the shower feeling refreshed. Iris is asleep in her new bassinet, and James is fussing around in the kitchen.

I take a seat at the counter and watch her load the dishwasher. She is still striking. She makes even something as benign as washing the dishes look sexy. I think about her often. I think about what happened with us when I was younger and how we tiptoed around each other during the wedding planning. It was years-long extended foreplay that led to the best sex of my life.

But that’s not why she’s here; I need to remember that. This is about Iris and the fact that I need help.

I clear my throat to alert her to my presence. She turns, and I launch into my terms.

“Hey, I think we need to set up some ground rules if this is going to work.”

“What kind of ground rules?” She asks, pulling her brows together.

“The kind where we don’t fuck and ruin everything,” I tell her honestly.

Her eyes grow wide, and she sputters. “You act like we can’t control ourselves, Marcus.”

“That’s historically true,” I say, with a knowing nod.

“I want to help. I have no ulterior motives,” she replies, setting the dish towel down and leaning on the other side of the counter.

“I know that,” I emphasize. “ I just don’t want things to be complicated, especially if you’re living here.”

“Why would I be living here?” She squeaks.

“I need round-the-clock help, BJ. I work crazy hours. I can ask Bea to work more to help with housekeeping and shopping, but I need someone here if I have to stay at the hospital,” I say honestly.

She thinks for a minute and then nods her head. “It’s fine. I can do it.”

“Are you sure? You’re giving up a lot here. I can give you time off every week on different days, depending on my schedule. But it won’t necessarily be the weekends,” I remind her.

“I have no life, Marcus,” she chuckles.” I just got back from traveling. I have no job. No boyfriend. I spend most of my time at my sister’s house as a third wheel.”

“Yikes. That’s rough. I lived with those two for years.”

“Right? They are disgustingly in love and don’t need me around.”

“And you can keep your hands off me?” I tease.

James rolls her eyes as she replies, “I should ask you the same question.”

I turn and glance in the living room and then back to James. “I can do anything for that little girl in there.”

“So it’s settled,” she smiles.

“I guess it is,” I reply.

Chapter twenty-two

Bubbling Under the Surface