“I can understand that,” said April. “My brother and I, we lost our parents when we were little.”
“That’s awful to hear,” I said. “What happened?”
“Car accident. They were driving home from dinner with friends, and a truck flew through a red light, crashed right into them.”
“I can’t even imagine.”
“I still can’t, sometimes. And I know what you mean about not believing it’s real. It took years before I even started to wrap my head around what happened.”
“And your brother…how did he take it?”
“Oh, M—” She stopped, catching herself mid-word. “Matt?” The name came out strangely. “Um, he took it hard, too. He started acting out when he became a teenager, and I sort of…turned inward.”
“Like Willa.”
“Right. I think when tragedy happens, you go one way or the other—you act out, or you act in.”
I considered April’s words, realizing the truth of them.
“But Willa’s such a special girl,” said April. “I can’t wait to help her come out of her shell. If she’ll let me, that is.”
I loved hearing her speak about Willa that way. There was warmth, kindness in her words. And they were genuine.
“I think you’ve got a real gift for this,” I said. “Only been a day, but I’m already glad I hired you.”
“Thanks,” she said. “Hope you don’t ever feel your trust in me was misplaced.”
It was an odd thing to say, but I did my best to let the notion pass. After all, in hiring April, I’d hoped to have someone around, someone for Willa, who I could trust—someone who wasn’t subjected to my normal skepticism.
“And you,” I said. “What you said about helping girls like her—girls like you too, I suppose.”
“That’s all I want. Being a nanny is wonderful, and I love being able to make a difference in kids’ lives. But it makes me wonder how much more of a difference I could make.”
“I’m sure you’ll have your chance. But for now, you’re certainly making a difference in hers.”
She smiled. “I hope so.”
There was a silence. I set down my glass, resting my hand on the small table between us. Then I felt a pressure. I glanced down to see that April had done the same thing, placing her hand where mine was, apparently on accident.
Our skin touched, the electricity immediate and undeniable. It was like nothing else.
April and I turned our gazes from one another’s hands to our eyes, the same expression of shock on both of us.
But our hands didn’t move, not for several moments.
Finally, we pulled them back at the same time.
“Um,” said April. “Wine’s hitting me a little harder than I thought. Long day, too.”
“Right,” I said. “Probably good for both of us to get to bed.”
To bed. I wanted it, no doubt. But the two of us in bed together.
Bad idea. Bad, bad idea.
April rose and took one last glance at me.
“Thanks for the wine. And…I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night.”