Ainsley

I carry a sleeping Willow into the house, laying her gently on the couch and covering her with a blanket. I tuck her hair out of her face and kiss her little cheek. My eyes take in the curve of her cheeks, the angle of her nose, the way her little lips curve into a small smile as she sleeps and my heart aches at how much she looks like her mom. Sarah wasn't just my best friend, she was my family. The only family I had until I found out about Rory. The day she died, my spirit seemed to dim and I've never quite gotten that sparkle back. I sigh thinking about it, trying to push my melancholy thoughts away. Dwelling on the pain won't bring her back, or make me a better mother to Willow.

And I owe it to Sarah to be the best mother I can be.

I sit on the chair across from Willow and unlock my phone, saving Billy's name with his number. I can't stop the small smile on my face when I think about him. When I agreed to take Willow to the park today, I wasn't really looking forward to it and I definitely wasn't anticipating meeting a guy. Especially not one as fine as him. He was so tall and his arms were so big. The way they flexed when he picked up Ellie had my face flushing. His blonde, curly hair gave him a boyish look and his bright green eyes were like emeralds I could get lost in. And that smile. No man should be allowed to have double dimples like that. They should be considered a weapon of mass destruction.

I probably wouldn't have agreed to go to ice cream with them, but Willow was already attached to Ellie and she has struggled to open up to kids her age. She's incredibly shy, but Ellie's open personality must have put her at ease because they seemed to just sync together. I didn't want it to end.

My phone rings and my heart leaps until I see it's my brother, then I admonish myself at wishing it was Billy. I just met the man, I don't need him consuming my thoughts already.

"Hello?" I answer quietly, wandering into the kitchen so I don't wake up Willow.

"Hey, Ains. I'm really sorry about today. How about I bring over pizza for dinner? I hate disappointing Willow." He says and I can hear the fatigue in his voice.

"It's ok. I'm sure you're exhausted after having to stay late at work." I say and he grunts.

"Ains. You know you and Willow are my priority. Let me get some pizza and stop by for a movie. Ok?" He asks and I sigh, knowing it would be nice to see him.

"Yeah, alright but she's napping now." I say.

"Ok. I'll run home and shower first. She must have had a good time at the park." He says and I smile.

"Yeah. We both made a new friend." I say and Rory scoffs.

"Oh yeah. What kind of friend did you make?" He asks and I chuckle.

"His name is Billy. We went for ice cream. He's nice." I say with a shrug and Rory stays quiet for a minute.

"Please tell me he wasn't some random dude just hanging out at a kids park." He says with a hint of sharpness to his tone that makes my hackles rise

"Of course not, Rory. I'm not a total idiot." I say defensively and Rory sighs.

"I'm sorry. You know with my line of work I tend to be suspicious of... Well, everybody to be honest. Does he have a kid then?" He asks.

"No, his friends just had a baby so he and their other friend took their two oldest out for the afternoon to give them a break." I say, smiling as I remember how cute it was when Billy pushed Ellie on the swings.

"What's his last name? I'll run a background check on him." Rory's voice pulls me back into the conversation and I scoff.

"You will do no such thing. Plus, I don't know his last name. It was a very casual thing." I say and Rory stays quiet for a long while.

"Well, if things get more serious I will definitely be checking into him. You and Willow are too important to take any chances. Ok?" He asks firmly.

"You don't need to use your interrogation voice on me. If things progress then fine, I'll let you look into him but only for crimes. No credit check or shit like that." I say firmly and I hear Rory sigh.

"So stubborn. Fine. I'll be over in an hour with pizza. Try to have your attitude tucked away by then." He says teasingly and I laugh before saying goodbye.

A few days go by and I try to ignore the fact that I'm a little disappointed I haven't heard from Billy. Willow helps me plan out my classroom and we go shopping for school supplies and new clothes. I can tell she's nervous about starting school, but her excitement over her new pink, sparkly backpack seems to be helping a little. We're packing her things into her new backpack when my phone rings. My heart leaps and hands start to sweat when I see Billy's name on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Ainsley. How's it going?" He asks cheerfully. The deep timber of his voice seems to calm a few of my nerves.

"Good. Getting Willow ready for school. What are you up to?" I ask. I start putting dishes away to get out some nervous energy.

"Just on break at work. I was wondering if you have plans on Sunday?" He asks and my heart rate kicks up as I nearly drop a coffee mug.

"I'll be setting up my classroom this weekend." I say, a hint of disappointment in my tone.

"Can I help?" He asks hopefully and my heart warms at the thought of he and Willow in my classroom, helping me organize desks and hang inspirational posters.

"Um... sure if you want. You don't have anything else you'd rather do on a Sunday?" I ask with a little laugh. He chuckles in response.

"Nah. I want to see you again. Also, Ellie's parents are having a little barbecue at their house. They've been kind of holed up since Olivia was born and they want to see everyone. Ellie has been begging them to have Willow over so they asked me to invite you. Maybe after we get your classroom set up you guys could come." He offers. I look over at Willow who is watching me curiously and my heart feels full at the idea of the girls being friends.

"Willow? Would you like to go to Ellie's house this weekend?" I ask and her eyes light up as she gasps in excitement. She stands and starts to hop around the room.

"Yes, yes, yes! Please, mom?! Please can we go?" She begs and I smile. Billy must have heard her because he chuckles on the other end.

"How do you say no to that?" He asks and I huff out a laugh.

"I usually can't. Sure, we'll go. Let me know if I need to bring anything." I say.

"I got it. You're with me." He says and my heart flutters at his words. "Just text me where to be and what time. I'll be there." He adds and we say our goodbyes. I stare at my phone in shock for a few minutes afterwards still reeling from what just happened.

What on earth does a gorgeous, sweet guy like that want with me? Usually when guys find out about Willow they run, but he doesn't seem intimidated in the least, even going out of his way to include her. I try to shake the doubts that plague me, focusing on the excitement of seeing him again rather than the nerves.

The rest of the week passes at an excrutiatingly slow pace, each day my nerves grow about seeing Billy again. I'm not sure why I'm so anxious. He's just a guy, I keep reminding myself. But he's the first guy in years that I've actually liked, that I thought had some real potential. When I took in Willow, she was my only concern. The rest of my life got put on the back burner as I learned not how to just be a mom, but a single mom. It was so stressful there was no time to worry about dating or finding a man. But now that Willow and I have a good flow, that we're steady and more settled I've realized lately that I would like to meet someone. And even though Rory has been amazing with Willow, I really want her to have a father figure. Someone reliable and loving. The complete opposite of what I grew up with.

I pull my mind from these thoughts when I see Billy walking up to the school, looking much too delicious in jeans and a black t-shirt that hugs his biceps. My mouth practically waters.

"Good morning. How are my favorite girls?" He asks with a sweet smile that makes my heart patter wildly.

"Thanks for coming." I say, leading him to my classroom as Willow bounces around excitedly.

"Of course. And I brought essentials." He hands Willow a cup of hot chocolate, me a cup of coffee and produces a box of donuts. Willow lets out an excited squeal and Billy gives me a proud smile. I sip on the coffee and try to calm my racing heart.

Oh yeah. This guy's good.