Page 40 of Unexpected

Who knew there were so many shades of pink? But hey, I guess if there were fifty shades of gray, why wouldn’t there be an equivalent for pink?

“Good. I wanted to check in and see how your placement’s going.”

“It’s great. Sophia and I are having a lot of fun together.”

“Excellent. Well, I just wanted to let you know that we’re still searching for a fall placement for you.”

“No prospects yet? No one I can interview with, even?” I asked, desperate for anything. The university had emailed earlier in the week to remind me that tuition was due soon, scholarship debacle or not.

“I’m sorry, but no.”

I could read between the lines to know that most parents preferred a female caregiver. There might be placements available, but parents weren’t interested in a twenty-six-year-old man. I respected it; I just didn’t like it.

I sighed. “I understand. I just really need to find a placement before this one ends.”

“I know. And we’re doing everything we can to make that happen. In the meantime, focus on your current position and getting a good review.”

I nodded, hating that I felt so powerless. Hating that I was often overlooked just because I was a guy. I knew the Hartwell Agency did everything they could to promote me as a candidate, but it was certainly an unusual situation.

“A positive review carries a lot of weight with families. For you—being a little different from our typical nanny—it’s even more important.”

“I understand.” I grabbed a candle from Sophia and placed it back on the shelf.

She stuck her tongue out at me, and I smirked.

“Please feel free to call with any questions,” Renata said. “Have a good night, Preston.”

“Thanks. You too.” I disconnected the call.

“Was that your friend Hunter?” Sophia asked.

“No. And we’re not getting pink candles,” I said when she tried to add yet another one to the basket.

“Why not? You said you wanted to impress this girl. Girls love pink. Trust me, I’m an expert.” She said it all with such an air of authority, it took everything in me not to laugh. Still, I had to admire her confidence.

“Yes, but not this girl.” I placed a few more candles back on the shelf. “I mean, your mom’s favorite color isn’t pink, right?”

She scrunched up her nose, considering it for a moment. “No. Her favorite color is black.”

“It is not.” I poked her in the side, which made her giggle.

“Okay, you’re right, but she does wear a lot of black.” She tapped a finger to her lips. “You know, actually, I think her favorite color is blue.”

Good. This was good.

“What’s her favorite dessert?”

“Dessert?” Sophia laughed. “Mommy doesn’t eat dessert.”

My jaw dropped. “Ever?”

“Nope. I mean, I couldn’t live without cupcakes and chocolate. But she’s like…allergic to sugar or something.”

“Hmm. We’ll see about that,” I muttered.

“Did you say something?”

I pushed the cart farther down the aisle, grinning to myself. “Nope.”