“I’ll change Thomas. You finish getting ready. Don’t worry.” Jake picked Thomas up from Fiona, holding him under the arms, and baby-talked to him, rubbing noses. Audrey’s heart melted. “Are you giving your mommy a hard time? Let’s go get you changed and say hello to your sister while mommy gets a moment to herself.” He carried Thomas to the back of the apartment, holding him slightly away to protect his crisply ironed shirt. He smiled at Audrey. “Audrey, come meet Luna.”

“You’re lucky your work is a bit more flexible with hours,” Fiona called after him.

“One of the reasons I love my job. Just have to be on time for my label meeting this morning. And remember I’m in Las Vegas on September 23-25 for the IHeartRadio Music Festival, so you have to take care of Biscuit.”

Fiona replied that it was on the calendar.

Jake led the way to the changing table in Fiona’s bedroom. Jake looked at her and raised his eyebrow as he changed Thomas, and a poop smell filled the room.

“I’m impressed,” Audrey said.

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t ask you to change him on first meeting. Second meeting?”

His crisp blue shirt brought out his eyes. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, and his hands and forearms were tanned. He had beautiful, capable hands.

Audrey punched his arm playfully. “And I thought you said you know how to flatter a girl.”

“I’m sure you’d be great at changing diapers,” Jake said. He picked Thomas up and held him close.

“I don’t think I can compete with you,” Audrey said, smiling.

They found Luna in her room playing with her Playmobil castle. Luna grabbed Jake around the leg. “Uncle Jake!”

“Luna, meet my friend Audrey.”

“That’s a great castle,” Audrey said. “I love playing with Playmobil.”

“Can you hold Thomas?” Jake asked. Audrey took Thomas from Jake, reveling in his sweet baby smell.

Jake squatted so he was at Luna’s height. “Luna, I get to bring you to school today. I’ll meet your friends. But you need to get dressed so we can go. Look, Mommy put out your clothes.” Luna glanced at her clothes on the bed but didn’t seem interested.

Jake suggested they get their final instructions from Fiona while Luna got dressed. Carrying Thomas, Audrey followed Jake back to the living room, where Fiona was packing her purse, the various bags filled with children’s stuff at her feet. Fiona told them what still needed to be done and explained that she couldn’t be late again to the morning staff meeting.

“You and Mom.” Jake rolled his eyes. “It’s as if I’ve never babysat before.”

“Trying to get them out the door on a deadline is entirely different,” Fiona said. She kissed Thomas goodbye.