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  “You wouldn’t mind me taking my daughter with me for all that stuff?”

  “Of course not! I’m sure she won’t be any trouble, will she?”

  “No, she’s only eight months old, she’s fine.”

  “So, is that a yes?” Why did I sound so hopeful? This was an awful idea!

  “Okay, but how would I earn any money? I mean, I still need to feed two mouths and, you know, buy diapers and stuff.”

  “Well.” I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I thought, berating myself yet again for being so foolhardy on this thing, but it felt right. I mentally flipped the bird at my cautious warnings and went for it. “What about this...I give you twenty percent of my current wage plus free food and housing.”

  “You’d pay for my food?”

  “Maybe we could include doing my grocery shopping in your job description and you get what you need for yourself at the same time. Sound good?”

  “Actually, it sounds perfect. Like, too good to be true.”

  I grinned. “I’m serious. Why don’t you swing by tomorrow and you can check out the place, see if you like it. I’ll draw up some kind of contract and we can make this official.”

  “Okay.” Her chuckle sounded lighter.

  I gave her the address and hung up, throwing the phone onto the two-seater couch behind me. Mate, I felt good! My fingers trilled over the keys, and then I let out a laugh while I found the right chords and started singing “I Feel Good.”

  Chapter Ten

  Jody

  It wasn’t hard to find Leo’s building. His directions had been clear. I’d borrowed the family car, dropping Morgan off at the dance studio on my way so I could have it. She asked me where I was off to and I hedged, saying Angel and I needed a day out. I told her we were heading to the beach for some winter sunshine. She bought it with a smile, giving me a kiss on the cheek as she got out of the car.

  My nerves were buzzing as I made my way to Santa Monica. I liked the area; I actually worked there when I was pregnant with Angel. Not wanting to bump into any of my school friends from Pasadena, I spent as much time in hiding as I could. Taking a job at a grocery store in the area kept me busy and away. It worked...and it was time to get away again.

  I parked the car across the street and looked up at the red, brick building. It was pretty plain from the outside, just a big old rectangle with the front entrance smack in the middle, like a mouth. I felt like I was looking at the kind of apartments you’d find in a children’s picture book. I guessed it was old and had been renovated.

  Unbuckling Angel’s straps, I lifted her onto my hip and grabbed the diaper bag. Man, I’d be glad to get rid of the thing once she’d outgrown it. When was that? Three years away? I tried not to cringe.

  Checking the street, I crossed and headed up the stairs. My good vibes were battling it out with my negative nerves. I still couldn’t believe Leo’s offer. It was so original it almost didn’t seem possible. Could I seriously manage a building?

  I waited for the old elevator to crank its way down to us. The place felt a little rickety, but the paint on the walls was fresh and clean. I pressed six and we rode to the top. As soon as the doors dinged open, I stepped out into a small hallway, made bright and airy by a skylight in the ceiling. Opposite me were a set of stairs leading down, and on either side were two pale brown doors encased in white framework. I stepped to my left and knocked once, clutching Angel closer to me as we listened to the sounds behind the wood.

  “Coming!”

  I grinned; there was that accent again. So funny.

  “I wonder where he’s from,” I whispered to Angel.

  She replied with a cheerful little “Goo!” and then started slapping lightly at my face.

  I grabbed her fingers and pretended to eat them, which had her squealing with a high-pitched giggle that made me wince.

  The door flew back and there stood Leo. He looked different clean-shaven—younger, fresher, although maybe not as handsome. He kind of suited the light stubbly look, not that I cared either way. He wasn’t really my type. I preferred sharp, precise perfection...like Stefan. Leo was a total contrast with his dark locks of unkempt hair, low-slung jeans, and wrinkled T-shirt.

  I was distracted from my silent assessment by his smile. It was still the same with or without facial hair, so broad it took over his entire face. Oh, and in this light his eyes looked green. That was kinda nice.

  “G’day.”

  So his accent was adorable. I had to give him that.

  I hoisted Angel higher onto my hip and smiled. “Hi.”

  “And who’s this little one?” He leaned toward my daughter, bending down so their heads were level.

  “This is Angelia.”

  Leo hummed the chorus of Richard Marx’s “Angelia,” and I nodded with a smile. “That’s right.”

  He winked at me and then turned his attention back to Angel.

  “Hey, cherry blossom. You are just all kinds of cute, aren’t you?” He wiggled her foot, which made her giggle again. He laughed with her and gently tousled the fuzz on her head. “She’s beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” My heart swelled at his compliment. I could see how much he meant it. It was a relief to know he was good with kids. I wanted my neighbor to be understanding. When Angel really got going, her cries and screams could be damn piercing...and they were only getting louder as she grew bigger.

  “Let me show you the place.” Leo left his door open and walked across the hall, pulling a key from his pocket and unlocking it for us. He swung the door open and stepped aside so Angel and I could walk through.

  My lips parted as I entered the light oasis. Skylights made up the roof over the living area, creating a sunny, warm atmosphere.

  “Apparently it can get pretty hot in the summer, but there’s good AC through the whole building, so as long as you leave it on, you should be all right.” Leo crossed his arms, and I couldn’t help noticing the way his biceps curved. He seemed like one of those guys who was oblivious to his strength.

  I looked away from him and studied the open-plan living and kitchen area. The kitchen was small, yet workable. An island separated the kitchen from the living room. It was a counter/breakfast bar type deal with two stools on the other side of it. The floors were wooden throughout with a big Indian-style rug in the center, held in place by a three-seater futon. There was a low coffee table in front of it and a long, low bookshelf against the wall.

  “Sorry there’s no TV, I don’t really watch much.”

  “No, that’s cool. I’ve got my computer.”

  He nodded. “Ah, rooms are down this way.” He pointed behind him, and we followed him around the corner. He was right; the place was small. The hallway was a storage closet long and then there was the master bedroom, which housed a double bed, one side table, and a set of drawers. Opposite that was a smaller bedroom/office space with a desk and chair, and between the two rooms sat a bathroom.

  “Oh, good, there’s a bathtub.”

  “Yeah, no separate shower, but I bought a new curtain last week.” He pointed to the dark green curtain with pale green leaves dotted across it.

  “Nice,” I murmured.

  Angel was kicking her little legs, trying to wriggle out of my grasp. “One sec, Angel.”

  “You want to explore, don’t ya?” Leo chuckled at her.

  I walked back through to the living area and set Angel down on the carpet, watching her carefully as she dropped forward and did a jerky crawl toward the tassels on the edge of the rug.

  “So, what do you think? Are you—?” Leo’s question was cut short by a ringing phone from his apartment. “Sorry, one sec.”

  He darted out of the room. I folded my arms and scanned the space, picturing Angel and I living here.

  Could I seriously do this?

  Could I take care of Angel and live by myself? Cook meals? Do laundry? Help look after a building?

  Fear and doubt clawed at me, restricting my airways. I squeezed my ey
es shut.

  “Stop it, Jody!” I muttered. “You can do this.”

  Yeah, it’d be hard, but I could.

  I didn’t need Morgan and Dad to cope. I was capable of raising my baby and carving out a life for myself. It may not have been the one I planned on, but it would be okay.

  A tune came to me, swelling in my stomach and pushing at my voice box. I opened my mouth and set it free, singing one of my favorite songs from the musical Wicked—”Defying Gravity.”

  It seemed appropriate somehow. I was taking a leap, pushing aside all my doubts and going for it, knowing it could end up being an epic fail, but believing that maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be.

  Angel glanced up from the tassel she was trying to suck on. She was on her belly; dribble hanging from her bottom lip. I grinned at her, my voice rising as I spread my arms wide and felt that old euphoric buzz zip through me.

  Chapter Eleven

  Leo

  I spent most of the phone call assuring Bobby that I was making the right decision. I was lying through my teeth, of course.

  “Yeah, mate, I’m telling you, she’s totally qualified. She does have a kid, but it won’t be a problem. We’ve worked out an agreement that suits us both.”

  Bobby sighed. “Have you interviewed her properly?”

  “Come on¸ Bobby. How hard is it to do this job, I mean really?”

  “Do not let her sign that contract until you know a little more about her background.”

  “I won’t.” I rolled my eyes, knowing I probably would. How could I say no now? If she wanted the place, it was hers.

  “I just don’t want her moving in expecting some kind of free ride or something.”

  “I really don’t think that’s the case. Besides, what’s the worst that can happen? If it doesn’t work out, we’ll just ask her to leave. We’ve covered ourselves with that six-week trial period. You looked over the contract this morning, and I’ve made those tweaks you suggested. It’s all good.”

  “Yeah, yeah, okay. I guess there is that out clause with the whole six-week thing. Just make sure you keep an eye on her.”

  I grinned; I couldn’t imagine that being a problem.

  The pleasure of that idea took me by surprise. I jolted upright and shook it from my head.

  “Scan the contract through to me once it’s signed.”

  “Got it.”

  I hung up, snatching the documents off the counter and walking back across the hall.

  The sound of her pure voice cresting over the lyrics of “Defying Gravity” stopped me dead in my tracks. Bloody hell, she sounded amazing.

  I paused in the doorway, utterly entranced. She was standing in the kitchen, her arms spread wide, a massive smile on her face. She looked like sunshine and sounded like a nightingale. My mouth dropped open in awe, my eyes popping wide. The way she held her long notes with such sweet beauty enchanted me.

  She dropped her arms and spun, opening her mouth to crescendo into the final chorus...and spotted me.

  Her lips smacked together and she cringed, her cheeks heating with color as she scratched her right eyebrow.

  “Don’t stop, please. That was beautiful.” I stepped into the room.

  She grinned and mouthed, “Thank you.”

  “No, I mean, that was seriously magnificent. Why aren’t you on a stage?”

  Her smile fled, her eyes darting to the little baby playing on the floor. “I was studying performing arts last year, but things have been put on hold.”

  My heart sank for her; the sadness in her voice told me everything she couldn’t say.

  As much as I wanted to learn more, I couldn’t stand the crestfallen look on her face; it was mixed with a humiliation I knew all too well.

  Screw the interview. Bobby would just have to take my gut instinct as proof.

  I cleared my throat and walked up to the counter, placing the contract down.

  “So, why don’t you have a read through this.”

  “Okay, thanks.” She pulled it toward her and I got busy entertaining Angel. Sitting cross-legged in front of her, I used my best Uncle Leo voice and coaxed a quick smile out of her. She chattered back to me, making a string of unintelligible sounds that were lyrical and sweet.

  “You trying to sing like your mummy, aye?”

  She rocked back on her bottom, nearly toppling over. I caught her and pulled her back upright and she kept going, the sweet babble making me grin.

  “She loves music, too,” Jody murmured, her eyes still on the contract.

  “It’s food for the soul.”

  Jody paused and looked down at me, a smile pushing at her lips before she resumed reading.

  Ten minutes later, she asked for a pen.

  “So, you’re all good with everything?”

  She nodded. “All good. I can’t see anything that needs changing. I like the job description. It’s a really good deal, Leo. Thank you.” Her sincere gratitude was endearing. “Are you sure you’re happy for me to do this?”

  “Yeah, well, there’s the six-week trial, so we should be sweet, right? I mean, we’ve both got an out if we need it.”

  “Yeah, that sounds good.” Her head bobbed. She pressed her lips together, the pen wiggling in her fingers before she lurched forward and quickly signed her name. Her writing was fluid and twirly, just like I imagined it would be.

  When she was done, I spun it around and signed my own name, handing her a copy before folding mine in half and shoving it in my back pocket.

  “Well, I look forward to you moving in next week.”

  “Thanks, me too.” She stepped around me and collected Angel into her arms. “This is going to be a great home for us.”

  She was still unsure; I could tell by the waver in her voice, but I got why. I’d spotted her birth date on the contract. She was only twenty. This young thing had been thrown into adult shoes before she was even ready for it. I didn’t know her very well, but I could see she was trying to make the most of it, which only impressed me more.

  I helped her downstairs, holding the baby bag while she buckled Angel into her carseat. I made sure to get one more squealing laugh out of the girl before closing her door and opening Jody’s.

  “You’re good with kids.” She smiled as she pushed the key into the ignition.

  My nose wrinkled the way it always did when people gave me compliments. “I have nieces and nephews back home. I lived with them for a short while.” I nearly said more but went for a shrug instead. I’d actually used Kev’s heart attack as a reason to move out of home with Gerry and shift in to help Deb with the kids. I’d convinced myself they’d needed me there full-time to cope, and in a way they had, but everyone knew it was just an excuse.

  Jody buckled up and slid on her shades before glancing at me. “Where is home?”

  “Here, at the moment.” I winked.

  Her head tipped, and I could tell she was giving me a dry look behind those sunglasses.

  I chuckled. “Sydney, Australia.”

  “Wow, cool.” She started the car with a nod, and I took the chance to close her door and wave goodbye. As much as she didn’t want to tell me the details of dropping out of college, I didn’t want to tell her about why I left my home country.

  I had no idea where she currently lived and why she was leaving, but maybe we didn’t need to know about each other’s histories to work together.

  I liked the idea of a fresh slate with my new assistant. The less we knew, the better.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jody

  The suitcases were open on the bed, clothes strewn across the floor, and two half-packed boxes lay next to Angel’s crib. Ella had Angel for the afternoon as Reynolds, the bar restaurant she owned with her boyfriend, Cole, was having a lighter day. She rang me that morning on the spur of the moment and asked if I needed a breather.

  “How about I take Angel for you?”

  The offer had been such a relief, I burst into tears and spilled the beans to my best f
riend. I hadn’t told another soul. I knew that was stupid. I mean, like Morgan and Dad wouldn’t notice me leaving, but I just wanted to be packed and ready to go before they found out.

  Thanks to my petite bestie, I’d had the day to myself. It was a relief to realize I really didn’t need that much stuff, just everything from my room, the stroller from downstairs, and the carseat. I couldn’t take the car; Morgan needed it for work, and since I was going to be living where I worked, I figured I could either bus or walk. I still wanted the carseat, though, and today was a prime example of why. Ella had been forced to take Angel out in the stroller because Morgan had the car, and we had no way to safely transport my baby.

  I had no idea where they’d ended up, but I knew they’d be safe. Ella was the sweetest person on the planet, proved by the fact that half an hour after I told her my plan, her boyfriend called and offered to help move my stuff.

  I nearly cried the words ‘thank you’. The towering hunk just laughed. “It’s never a problem, Jody.”

  Of all the couples in the world, Ella and Cole were the best. I knew they were probably worried about me making this big decision, but they were supportive anyway.

  I feared I wouldn’t get the same reaction from my family.

  The front door clicked open downstairs. I tensed, waiting to hear Ella’s greeting. It never came, and my muscles wound that little bit tighter.

  “Hello? Is anybody home?”

  Oh, shit! It was Dad.

  I steeled myself, pulling in a breath as I folded my pants and shoved them into the suitcase.

  “Jody?” He peeked his head into my room and froze. “What are you doing?”

  “Packing.” I kept my words short. I didn’t want to get into it. I knew he’d pretend to be shocked at my decision, but deep down he wanted me out of here. It’d be easier for everyone.