It was impossible to look away from the man’s smile. He seemed like one of those handsome princes straight out of a fairytale book, although the stories of heroic princes saving the princesses in distress was never really Roni’s thing. These stories and characters were extremely boring and shallow, but Rowan Oxley, unlike them, seemed anything but that. It must have been too soon to make her opinion on the man she just met, but he looked like the kind of guy who’d leave a very good first impression on anyone he met. A smart, intelligent, witty and well grounded man with the most adorable and polite little girl. Very different than the type that Roni usually attracted to herself. “I can assure you she hasn’t scared off anyone. There’s been a few eyebrows raised, yes, but I just told them to mind their own damn business,” she laughed, not even trying to hide the truth. The warmth Rowan’s handshake brought had left Roni with a sense of emptiness the moment they let go. And maybe she was imagining it, but she had the impression she wasn’t the only one feeling it. “I just spent the last several hours with your daughter and trust me, that girl adores you.” He must have known that already, but it pained Roni to see Rowan had such little faith in himself right now. One incident with a nanny proved nothing of his parental skills. “Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
Roni hasn’t anticipated the playful, flirty retorts she heard after her own attempts to flirt. He wanted to hear the things she spoke of! At best, she expected another smooth thank you and a polite rejection. Instead, Rowan just asked, and not so subtly, for her number. Damn! If that wasn’t such a turn of events! Keeping her eyes on Rowan for a few moments longer with a playful smile, Roni grabbed one of the menus that rested on the table and took out a pen. She smirked and kept quiet as she wrote down her cell phone number. “Are you sure you can handle the things I speak of?” A playful glint shined in her eyes as she handed him the menu. From her own experience, Rowan’s kind of men weren’t looking for a woman like her. Maybe the little flirty exchange was his way to unwind… Roni was the last person to judge. And if her advances were going to be accepted by him, she wouldn’t complain. Even if nothing came out of it, eventually, she’d be more than happy to just provide Rowan with some company and reassurances. She had no doubt he was a good man who was being too harsh with himself.
Nodding at the man, Roni understood his reasoning behind the drink rejection. It saddened her to be parting ways with the two so soon, but it was going to happen sooner or later. It was good to hear he was going to handle the nanny. Wren didn’t really seem to care about her much, from what she gathered from the girl. But it left Rowan with a problem he had to fix as soon as possible due to his work. “I’m sorry… I hope you can find someone on time.” She wished she could be more helpful. Her bar was possibly the wrong place to start searching for a nanny… maybe one of her younger employees wanted the extra cash, but she didn’t know how well they could cope with a child. Offering herself was at the tip of her tongue but it seemed completely inappropriate, so Roni refrained. Rowan’s words and offer for a raincheck brought up a playful smirk of her own. “You have my number now, and you know where to find me.” Rowan joked about taking that drink to go, but she could give him a drink to go. “Hang on before you go,” she said before Roni left for the kitchen. She came back a few minutes later holding a disposable cup. “This isn’t the drink I had in mind, but until then…” she handed Rowan the cup. “Have a good cup of coffee to go.”
The offer she refrained from making before was at the tip of her tongue again, when she realized it was now or never because the father and daughter were about to leave, and she just couldn’t hold back. “Look, I know it might be… inappropriate to offer… you know nothing about me and to be honest, you have every right to question my capabilities and responsibility.” She was nothing but a stranger to him. Even his last babysitter messed up and Roni was certain Rowan wasn’t one willing to compromise on his child’s welfare. He would never leave Wren with just anyone unless he was certain about them! “But in case you… you know… if you can’t find anyone else in time… I live upstairs. I promise I don’t keep any stash of alcohol or any other junk in my place so it’s completely safe for kids, and I’d be happy to watch her again. You don’t need to give me an answer right now,” she added before he had the chance to react badly. “Just… don’t hesitate to tell me if it’s needed.”
Standing in the middle of a bar midday was a proper testament to the parenting skills of Rowan Oxley. The owner of the establishment could praise him all she wishes but at the end of the day a nanny had been chosen to watch his offspring and failed. If Rowan was more attentive to the ongoings of the hired help they may not be standing here. It also went without saying the child chose to ignore boundaries laid down by both father and nanny which showed the cracks in parenting. The single father was thankful Roni was a patient warm hearted individual or this could have ended may ways one of which could have been losing custody. Thinking of a life without Wren twisted every organ unpleasantly. Eyes remained focused on the child as several scenarios played out in his mind each one worse than the one before. Roni's voice brought Rowan back to reality.
Lips curved upward as a menu was plucked from the center of the table and ink scribble across. This turn of events was a pleasant surprise. Warmth pulsed within as laughter escaped. "I'm quite certain I can handle anything you throw my way, milady." The offered menu was quickly laid back down on the table top so Rowan could program it directly into his mobile device. Too many films had phone numbers lost to the elements and he didn't wish to reenact any. Once the digits were entered the menu was folded up and placed in the back pocket of jeans just in case. The playful gleam still twinkled in eyes as heart hammered and stomach delightfully lurched. It had been some time since Rowan found interest in another which was both exhilarating and terrifying. This woman had an unexpected edge encasing from what he could tell was a large warm heart. She was an enigma wrapped in a riddle he wished to solve and truthfully unwrap. He would be lying if he didn't admit physical attraction.
How he wished the offered drink could be obliged in this moment. The scare of the day needed something to take the edge off but doing so in the company of such a stunning woman would sooth all worries away. Alas there wasn't time to indulge in selfish pleasure which is one of the woes of being a single father. You have my number now... only one response came to mind. "I do." It didn't escape how many octaves his tone dropped in reply. A nervous swallow followed thankfully after Roni had left him alone. Years passed since serious flirtations presented. There had been others on the receiving end of playful charms but none worthy of backing up desires. Rowan was befuddled on how to proceed with someone there was an actual interest in.
"Thank you." The coffee was taken with great care to avoid brushing fingers. If they touched Rowan would find a way to spend more time in the establishment which wasn't appropriate with a young child. Glancing in the young Oxley's direction a smile took lips despite the heart-attack she inflicted just hours prior. He really was a lucky man to have such a bright daughter. "Wren, gather your things and say goodbye. We need to be on our way." Once he took note of the child following orders he turned back to the bar keep. Her next words were peculiar eliciting furrowed brows. The offer to aid in babysitting wasn't what stunned him. He quickly injected a reply before they could move further. "I have NO right to question your capabilities or responsibilities. You have taken care of Wren and kept your business running without fail. Questioning your skills never arose." Words were said firm but soft to make known the truth behind. A hand quickly reached out to cup her elbow to keep bodies close as he continued. The shock of something throughout his body when fingers met bare skin was ignored for the time being. "Please know your chosen profession is not one of irresponsibility. You run a successful establishment that seems to be quite popular which entails a friendly personality and willingness to listen to others. You are over qualified to be a nanny. I will never be able to repay you for what you've done this afternoon. I am incredibly grateful you are the person who found Wren."
As if on cue the young girl made herself known by wrapping an arm around Roni's leg trying to give a hug of thanks. Thank you, Roni! Burst gleefully from little lips as brown eyes looked up at the woman. It was clear Wren had taken to the woman and Robin could not blame the child a bit. The scene before him almost washed away the agitation from prior behaviors. Almost. "Ah I see what's going on here...." He drew out with a grin while looking at his daughter. "This nice lady only gave me her number to spend more time with YOU." Rowan leaned down just enough to playfully poke at his daughters side before scooping her up off the ground. "I suppose my excitement was wrongfully placed." He teased as he glanced over to Roni with a smirk. "I do believe it's time for us to take our leave. I hope we meet again soon." Fingers itched to brush Roni's soft skin again but kept to his side as things were gathered. With great reluctance the Oxley's headed out of the bar and towards their home.
A need to make it known an open line for any communication was open. When they arrived home and Wren went to put things away Rowan sent a quick text to the captivating woman they just met. Should I save your number as Wren's Favorite in my mobile? I'm certain I can make myself scarce if the two of you ever wish for privacy. A playful tease leaving the door open for most anything or allowing Roni the opportunity to shut the door entirely. After adding a smirk emoji the send button was pressed, phone locked up and left on the kitchen counter. It was time for a long conversation with his daughter about this day.