Zoe didn’t care. It was a one-eighty turnaround from how her life used to be. Closing her eyes, she could see herself back on campus. With a party every other night, Zoe never missed one. How did she keep her GPA up despite the late nights out? She’d never know.
Her body flinched. Would the sound of crunched metal ever leave her memory? She’d been the one driving. Jayden was on the passenger side, with his hand on her knee. Why wasn’t Zoe paying attention? How could she?
A buzz on her phone disrupted her thoughts. Her boss, Pam?
“I’ll need you to close tonight, Zoe,” Pam said. Did she hear Pam’s voice quake?
“Sure, I can help.” School didn’t start for another week. She’d have to negotiate her schedule at the diner with her new class load. Zoe would finish her degree. No matter what.
“Thank you. I have to watch my granddaughter.” Pam paused. “Wait a minute?”
“Something wrong?” Zoe asked.
“I remember reading on your resume that you were a nanny, right?”
“Yes.”
Ms. Pam didn’t answer.
“Ms. Pam?” Where was she getting at? Did she want Zoe to—
“Zoe, I could use a favor, but there’s one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re fired. I don’t need you at my diner anymore.”
Zoe’s mouth dropped. “Ms. Pam, I’m in school and I just got a new place. I need—”
“I know, but you’ll be of better use to me as a nanny for my daughter. I see that you’re a hard worker, and I checked your references when I hired you. The Hayes gave you quite the recommendation.”
Zoe gave a slight smile. She didn’t plan on working with children again, but it was better than the unemployment line. “I loved working with their kids.”
“I could use that expertise now. My daughter works in the emergency room at the hospital as a nurse. Her shifts are unpredictable, but she has a seventh month old daughter. I help when I can and she shares a duplex with her cousin, but we need someone now. I’m switching your job. I’ll even double your pay.”
Zoe choked. This was crazy.
“Don’t worry about my daughter. Lisa trusts my judgment. Ever since her divorce, I’ve done my best to help her since that husband of hers... anyway, stop by the diner. I’ll have Celine ready.”
Celine. That was a pretty nam
e for a baby girl. Zoe hung up and checked out her books at the bookstore. She headed to Pam’s Diner. The bell chimed as she walked through the door, and she spotted her boss in the corner, and the baby who bounced on her toes while standing on her grandmother’s lap. At the sight of Zoe, Pam stood and rested Celine on her hip.
Zoe smiled at the baby girl who already had two bottom teeth. “She’s adorable.”
“Thank you. She’s a blessing.” Pam kissed her granddaughter’s plump cheek. A giggled followed. Celine was a cheerful baby. Without hesitation, she reached for Zoe. Zoe didn’t deny the child but cradled her in her arms. Then Celine went for her necklace, tugging at the chain around Zoe’s neck.
“She likes you already,” Ms. Pam said as she folded her arms.
“She’s sweet.” Zoe brushed Celine’s soft curls away from her face. “She doesn’t have any special instructions does she? Food allergies?”
Ms. Pam shook her head. “Lisa has formula in the refrigerator, her favorite stuffed animal is in her crib, and she doesn’t have trouble going to sleep. Lisa should be home no later than midnight. I asked my nephew to come and lead you to her place.”
“I can find it with no problem. I can plug her address into my phone.”
Pam nodded. “I know but he lives next door and he can show you around the place. He watches Celine from time to time to help Lisa out. He’s been a life saver.” She looked passed Zoe to the front door as the bell chimed. “There he is.”
Zoe turned with Celine on her hip to see... Alex? He was Ms. Pam’s nephew? Zoe swallowed. She hadn’t seen him since their run-in at the movie theater.