This month I'm featuring a cute family story... because I can! Not to say there isn't a good bit of drama, hanky panky, and some intrigue in there... because there is! But come on, squishy baby thighs. So cute! (as long as no one leaves the baby at my house either  ) Did you catch Monday's feature ad? Check that out or this excerpt if you haven't read Mrsgnomie's story, Boss Nanny! 

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Seamus leaned against the bedroom door with his hands in his pocket. He wore the same thing he always wore, really nice jeans and a plain t-shirt that hugged his body. Today it was plum purple with a gray, unzipped hoodie.

He tilted his head toward the living room. “Looks like you’re ready to study.”

“Yes,” Matt said with a little too much enthusiasm. “It’s so good. I can’t thank you enough for taking Aidan. Part of me wants to tell you that you don’t need to do this for me but mostly I want to sit in my living room, study my notes, and re-read my books. So, I’m not gonna ask you if you’re sure about this because if you leave that kid here, I’m going to cry.”

“I promise I won’t leave the kid here,” Seamus chuckled. When Matt turned to grab the diaper bag, Seamus picked Aidan up off the bed. “Hey, Squishy Thighs,” Seamus cooed and squeezed said squishy thigh as he walked back to the living room.

Matt smiled at the pair. “We call him Aido-potato because he’s chunky like a sack of tatas.”

“Aido-potato,” Seamus repeated, trying the nickname on for size.

“He ate about thirty minutes ago. Everything else is in the bag. Feel free to bring him back whenever.”

“But not too soon.”

Matt smiled. “Well, yes, not too soon.”

Seamus strapped Aidan in the car seat then slung the backpack over his shoulder. He gave Matt a salute.

“Have a good study session.”

****

Maybe having a kid helped keep things in perspective because Matt enjoyed studying more than ever and he was savoring every moment. The smile wouldn’t leave his lips the entire time he spent reviewing tax law and math equations and business statistics. He couldn’t get enough.

Even with hours of uninterrupted study time, it only felt like five minutes had passed when there was a rap on the door followed by Seamus announcing himself.

“Wow, I thought you were studying, not having a rager,” Seamus deadpanned as he eyed the books and notes that were fanned over the living room, couch, and coffee table.

“You know what they say, ain’t no party like an accounting degree party.”

Seamus smiled as he closed the door. “Yeah, I think I’ve heard that before.” He set the backpack next to the sleeping baby who was still buckled into his car seat. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be hungry from all the studying but I ordered pizza. It should be here—” he paused for a beat, then pointed at the door. On cue, there was a knock. Seamus looked smug as he signed for the pizza.

Matt watched Seamus dish a few pieces onto two different plates. “How’d you know he was there?”

“I saw him pulling up when I came in.”

Matt shook his head and smiled as they sat and ate. He should’ve felt weird that Seamus was staying for dinner but he didn’t. He wanted this. Matt wanted to know something about the man who was being so generous with his time. “What’d you guys do today?”

“We spent half the day at the loft and then Aidan shadowed me at work. Pretty low-key day.”

“Was the café busy?”

“Oh no, not the café. I have other sources of revenue.”

“Other source of revenue. Sounds ominous. Did he go to a drug swap with you or something?”

Seamus stopped mid-bite and raised his brow. “Drug swap? Is that like a bake swap where everyone brings their drugs to the community center then trades their goods for someone else's? If you come with an eighth, you leave with an eighth?”

Matt wiped his mouth and smiled. This was the kind of interaction he was hoping for. “I’m not down with the drug lingo.”

Seamus raised his brow playfully. “Drug lingo?”

“Did you bring pizza just so you could make fun of me? Because if that’s what this is about, then you can go home.”

The babysitter continued to smile though it was obvious he was trying to hide it. “We didn’t go to a drug swap, though I’m tempted. I have a couple other businesses. We went and checked them out.”

“How old are you?” Matt asked in surprise. “You can’t be over thirty and you have multiple businesses? That’s crazy.”

“That’s most people’s reaction when they learn that I’m twenty-nine with five fairly successful businesses.”

“Five? That’s incredible. How’d you get started?”

 

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