If You Give a Single Dad a Nanny: Chapter 35

I ROLL OUT MY SHOULDERS and stretch my arms. It’s been a long day of painting, and I haven’t taken a break in hours.

Most days, I’m in class from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, and I spend the weekends locked in my small apartment practicing the techniques I’ve learned. The other artists in the program explore the city or nearby countries during their free time. They’re world travelers, never settling in one place.

I used to share a similar view, but my perspective has shifted. Now, my heart longs to be back in Aspen Grove, where a particularly grumpy single dad and his little girl are waiting for me to come home. And while this has been a truly remarkable experience, once it’s over, I don’t plan on ever leaving them again.

I pick up my phone to video chat with Dylan. It’s 7:00 p.m. there, and he should be home from the office and making dinner.

“Hey, sunshine,” he answers. “How come you’re up so late?”

He leans his phone against something so I can see him while he chops vegetables at the kitchen counter.

“Inspiration struck before I could go to bed, and I had to start this new Dahlia painting that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about.”

“I’m glad you called,” he says with a smile.

Dylan pushes his glasses up his nose, and I’m captivated by his sexiness. His disheveled hair makes me long to be in the same room with him, so I can run my hands through it as I pull him in for a searing kiss. The first two buttons of his dress shirt are undone, giving me a glimpse of his chest. We have phone sex almost every day, but it’s nothing compared to the real deal.

“Daddy, Waffles did something bad,” I hear Lola shout, accompanied by Waffles barking.

“What now,” Dylan grumbles, running his hand across his face.

He places the knife he was using to chop vegetables on the counter, grabs his phone, and rushes up to Lola’s room, stopping abruptly in her doorway. When he turns the phone around to show the craft corner I set up for Lola before I left, I have to cover my mouth to stifle a laugh.

Lola, Waffles, and everything around them is completely covered in shimmering pink and purple glitter.

“Fu—dge,” Dylan corrects himself. “Ladybug, what happened?”

“Waffles wanted to make Marlow a picture because he misses her so much, and when I opened the jar of glitter, it exploded.” She throws her hands up in the air for emphasis.

“I see,” he says calmly. “And where exactly did you find glitter?”

“It was in my new arts and crafts cabinet that Marlow got me,” Lola chirps.

Oops.

Before I left, I wanted to do something special for her, so I set up a complete craft station in her room so she could color and make art without having to go downstairs. I may have gotten carried away and bought her a variety of glitter since she loves it so much. It didn’t occur to me she might use it without supervision.

Dylan turns the phone to face me with a raised brow.

“I’m so sorry.” I chew anxiously on my lower lip. “I can see now that the glitter might not have been the best idea I’ve ever had.”

“It’s oka—”

“Is that Marlow?” Lola squeals, interrupting Dylan.

I can hear her scrambling off her chair and running toward him. Dylan’s abrupt movement with the phone suggests she’s trying to grab it with glitter-covered hands.

“Whoa, ladybug,” he says gently. “You can say hello, but I’m going to keep the phone, okay?”

He crouches down and holds his phone out so Lola and I can see each other.

“Marlow, hi.” She gives me a toothless grin. “I miss you so much. Has it been three months yet?”

I’m overwhelmed by a wave of emotion, and I don’t have the heart to tell her it’s only been one month. She lost both her front teeth, and Johanna took her for a haircut yesterday. I hate missing all these important milestones, making me feel guilty for being across the world when I should be home with my little girl. I may not be her biological mother, but in all the ways that count, I consider her mine.

“I’ll be home before you know it, lolabug.” I muster a smile.

Waffles lets out a bark, and I can hear his panting, followed by his nose pressing against the camera.

“Hey, boy. I miss you too,” I croon.

We’ve been inseparable since the day I brought him home from the shelter, and being apart for so long has been incredibly challenging. Despite the guilt I have for leaving him behind, there’s no one else I’d rather him be with than Lola and Dylan.

“Lola, why don’t you and Waffles head into the bathroom?” Dylan suggests. “I’ll be there in a minute to help get you washed up.”

“Okay, Daddy. I love you, Marlow.” Lola waves goodbye.

“I love you too, lolabug,” I call out after her with misty eyes.

Once she and Waffles have left the room, Dylan turns the camera back to himself, his face etched with concern as if he can read my mind.

“Should I come home early?” I blurt out. “I shouldn’t have left you alone with Lola and Waffles, especially considering how busy work is for you.”

Stafford Holdings began construction on the Vanburen development, so Dylan has been putting in long hours.

He’s been working from home more frequently, and his parents have been watching Lola in the mornings and afternoons until I get back. They’ve been equally supportive as Dylan, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

“Sweetheart, I’m fine,” he reassures me. “I will hold the fort down until you’re back. I promise.”

“But what about the mess?” I point to the glitter-covered portion of Lola’s room.

“It’s just glitter. I’ve had plenty of experience cleaning up messes. I’ll survive this one,” he says with a chuckle. “You need to stay and learn as much as you can, because when you get back, I can’t promise that I’ll ever let you go again.”

I hope he never does.

How did I get so lucky to find someone so remarkable? His caring nature, thoughtfulness, and unwavering support for my dreams is beyond compare.

“Daddy, Waffles got soap all over his head,” Lola cries from the bathroom.

“Oh dear, you better go,” I hurry out. “I love you, Dylan.”

“I love you too, sunshine.”

After he ends the call, I’m hit with a wave of nostalgia. I want to be there to help clean up all the messes, to watch Waffles and Lola chase each other around the kitchen before dinner, and curl up next to Dylan as he reads to Lola before bed. It’s the little moments that I miss the most, and I can’t wait for the day I’m able to be a part of them again.