Page 60 of Beautiful Small Things

“Oh, I can do that,” I tell her, just as the plumber comes out to ask me a question.

“I’m going to give you a call a little later, though, OK?”

“Sounds good. I’m headed out to go surfing.”

“OK, Squirrel. I’ll call you later.”

I hang up and speak with the plumber about our timeline and consent to some work he needs to do. Iris is surfing now and everyone else I know is working. I can’t go anywhere, so I sit at my desk and strum my fingernails on the surface. I don’t like being bored. That is definitely one thing I miss about Marcus. It’s nearly impossible to be bored around him. He’s always entertaining and looking for ways to draw as much enjoyment out of life as possible. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember.

James - Age 23

The first few days as Iris’s nanny have been going well. We are all getting to know one another, so everyone has been on their best behavior. Except for Iris. She’s been uncompromising in making sure that her every need is met with no delays.

She’s just so damn cute, though. I see her father in her every time I look at her, making me smile. Marcus Sinclair is a father. I still can’t believe it. I don’t know if I ever thought this day would come.

Marcus has been working a lot, as expected. He calls and checks in often, and I send him cute pictures of Iris.

I’m folding laundry, and Iris is taking a morning nap when there’s a light knock on the door. As I approach, I can see my sister standing on the other side of that door.

“Hey,” I whisper as I open the door and usher her in.

“Hi,” she says, greeting me with a hug. “Where’s the baby?”

“Sleeping in her bassinet.”

“I’ll hold her later,” she says. “I mostly came to check on you anyway.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Why?” Colby repeats. “Maybe because a few days ago you were at my house, telling me you needed to find a dance company and get out of this town, and now you’re living with Marcus Sinclair.”

“I’m his daughter’s nanny, Colby. That’s why I’m living here.”

“Why, though? How did this even happen?” She asks, and rightfully so. It is out of left field.

“He needed help. I don’t have a job or anything going on right now, so I offered,” I shrug.

I start folding laundry again as she looks at me skeptically.

“What about dancing?” She asks.

“What about it? It’s still my goal. This is temporary while I wait for applications.”

“Are you sure about that?” She asks in disbelief.

“Yes, I’m sure,” I say, tossing a pink onesie down in frustration. “What’s with the third degree?”

My sister pauses before launching into her lecture. “It’s just that I know there’s a past with Marcus.”

I act outraged, but secretly I’m terrified that she knows anything. “There’s no past, Colbs. I had a crush on him, and then I grew up.”

“What happened at my wedding?” she blurts out.

I can feel my cheeks get hot. I’m a terrible liar. I always have been. My reaction is to answer a question with a question and hope I can confuse her.

“What happened at your wedding?” I ask, feigning ignorance at the question.

“Don’t do that, James,” she laughs.