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nanny?”
    “Oh, no. I live on campus. I work here three days a week since Sarah went back to work.”
    “I was just wondering. I’m living in the guest house out back, I guess.”
    “I haven’t been inside it.” I played with a napkin on the table, folding it into tiny squares. “So, SUNY? Are you from New York?”
    “Yeah, about an hour north of the city. A little town on the Hudson. How about you?”
    “I’m a Jersey girl. I grew up on the coast, about an hour from here.”
    “All done.” Des leaned his hands on the tray, struggling to get out of the high chair. “I wanna get down.”
    “Okay, bub. Hold on.” I unbuckled him, wiped off his hands and face and set him free. “There you go. Run wild.”
    Jesse and I both watched him take off for the toy chest in the corner where he dumped out a bag of wooden blocks.
    “You’re great with him.” Jesse smiled at me. “Do you babysit a lot?”
    “I used to, when I was in high school. I love kids. I have two younger sisters, too. They’re 13 and 17 now, but I helped out when they were little.”
    “Are you the oldest?”
    “Yeah. The bossy big sister.”
    “I’m the middle kid. Or I am now, at least. I have an older sister, and then the little dude.” He glanced over at where Desmond was absorbed in his toys. I tried to think of something to say to fill the gap.
    “If you ever need someone to show you around the campus or whatever, let me know.” Smooth, Jules.
    He grinned. “Thanks. I might take you up on that. At least you could tell me where the best bars and coffee places are, right? I don’t trust my dad to know that.”
    “Sure, I--” The back door opened on a blast of frigid air, and Dr. Fleming stomped in.
    “Jess?” He took the room in two strides and grabbed his son. “You’re early. Glad you made it down. How was the drive?”
    Jesse hugged him back, and I saw genuine love on his face. “Wasn’t bad. Yeah, I made better time than I thought. Scared your babysitter half out of her mind, I think.” He gestured to me.
    Danny grinned at me, and I was again struck by family resemblance. “Sorry about that, Julia. Sarah must’ve forgotten to tell you Jesse was coming.”
    “It’s not a problem.” I stood up and slung my bag over one shoulder. “Sarah asked me to put on the lasagna, and then I’ll head out, unless you want me to stay longer?”
    “No, that works. Don’t worry about the food, the men will take care of it.” Danny clapped Jesse on the back. “Want to be my sous chef, bud?”
    “Daddy, I help, too!” Desmond abandoned the blocks to clamor up onto a chair. His dad ruffled his hair.
    “Sure, sport, you, too.” He smiled at me. “Do you I owe you a check, Julia?”
    “Nah, Sarah will take care of it on Friday.” I shoved my arms into the sleeves of my coat and glanced at Jesse.
    “Nice meeting you. I’m sure I’ll see you around, either here or on campus.”
    “Yeah, definitely.” His eyes lingered on me just a minute before Des pulled his attention away.
    For the first time in many weeks, I didn’t think about Liam once on the way home.
     

 

     
     
    I didn’t see Jesse the rest of that week. When I got to work on Wednesday, Sarah apologized profusely for not warning me that her stepson was expected.
    “I completely spaced on that. I’m so sorry.”
    I shrugged. “No big. I was just a little startled, but Des knew him, so I figured he was legit.”
    “Oh, yes, Desmond loves his big bro.” She smiled at her son as he sat at the table, intent on a coloring page. “He’s been in seventh heaven since Jesse got here.” Sarah worried her bottom lip between her teeth.
    “He seems, um, nice.” There was that stupid word again. But what else was I going to say? Your stepson is really hot?
    “Yeah. Jesse’s always been a good kid.” She lowered her voice. “You know, it was hard on Danny’s older kids when we got married. I mean, Danny and their mom had been divorced for quite a few years