Page 118 of Nine Week Nanny

“Val, I’m sorry, but I can’t handle more chaos right now. I need?—”

“Oh no, connection’s bad,” she sing-songs. “Friday. Bye, honey!”

The line goes dead.

I stare at the phone, fury and exhaustion coiling tight in my chest. As if I needed one more complication.

And just like that, the universe decides to see how much more I can take before I break.

THIRTY-ONE

Sloane

"Do you see how the edges curve right here?" I crouch between Lennon and Micah, pointing to the massive granite sculpture towering above us. "That's called an arc. Can you find another arc somewhere else on it?"

Lennon's small finger traces the air, following the sweeping curve of stone. "There. And there too."

Micah bounces on his toes. "It looks like a dinosaur tail!"

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens spread around us in lush, tropical splendor. Massive sculptures rise from the greenery like ancient monuments, their smooth surfaces catching the afternoon light. It's peaceful here. This is exactly the kind of peace I desperately need right now.

"Good eye, Micah. And what shapes do you see in that one?" I point to another sculpture nearby.

The boys scamper off toward it, their voices carrying across the garden. Angela adjusts baby Tyler in his carrier, the infant miraculously sleeping through our art expedition.

"They're really taking to this," Angela whispers. "Homeschooling through art. Such a brilliant idea."

I manage a smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes. "They're absorbing everything like little sponges. This place is amazing."

When the boys disappear around a massive bronze piece, Angela turns to me. "You okay? You seem a million miles away today."

"Just tired." I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "Things keep getting stranger and harder. I never expected things to go so sideways so fast."

"With Pope?"

I nod, watching Lennon and Micah's small forms weaving between sculptures. "Commuting back and forth makes it all seem so much less personal with Lennon, but it helps me keep boundaries." My voice catches. "I hardly see Pope anymore, which is for the best. It just sucks. It all sucks."

Angela shifts Tyler slightly, pulling the top cover over his head to protect him from the sun. "Is it for the best, though? Because you look miserable."

"What other choice do I have?" The words come out more bitter than intended. "I can get through the rest of the time. I love Lennon enough to do it."

"I thought you said your new job started sooner."

"It does, but when I called to see if I could end the contract, the lady at the agency basically bit my head off. It's fine, though. Coastal will honor the original late start, and the money is good."

"Yeah. And we get you a little longer."

My chest tightens. "You can't shake me, now. Our friendship isn't going anywhere when this ends. I just won’t be Lennon’s nanny.”

Angela loops her arm in mine and rests her head on my shoulder. Tyler stirs but doesn't wake up. Micah looks like he will climb on one of the statues and her head is back up in mom-mode.

"Micah, get down from there. You don't climb on those! I swear, I'm going to have my hands full with that one."

"I love his spirit. He's going to be just fine."

"Yeah. So, back to Pope. How are things with him?"

Angela raises an eyebrow. "When is Lennon going to live with his aunt?"