Page 23
Prompt: You crouched down to coo at my baby but I forgot to tell you their fav thing to do is play with people’s hair and now they won’t let go of you.
If he hadn’t been so busy gawking at your beauty, Jinwoo would’ve been able to warn you of his daughter’s superhuman strength and speed. But, no. Of course not.
“Aah!” You nearly choked on your gum when the tot snatched a lock of your hair and yanked when she pulled her fist back to her chest. “Oh my God!”
“Oh God—no, Harin. Let go!” He worked his thumb into her tiny fist but couldn’t get the grip to loosen. “I’m so sorry! She likes hair—I didn’t think fast enough—Harin, please!”
Harin giggled as the two of you worked frantically to release her death grip. Onlookers waiting for the bus barely contained their amusement with quiet chuckles and giggles. Jinwoo’s practically burned knowing it’d be a while before he lived this down.
“Oh, wait!” You let go of her wrist and dug through your coat pockets. To his surprise, you pulled out a little Stitch figurine and held it out to Harin. “Look! Do you like this? Want it instead?”
The bright blue colored toy immediately stole her attention and she promptly let go of your hair to take it. Jinwoo found himself impressed by your quick thinking. “I’m so, so sorry for that.”
You patted your hair back into place with a smile. “It’s okay. It’s mostly my fault for getting within grabbing range. Most babies like to grab hair and clothes.” You gently touched Harin’s cheek. “As much as I babysit little cuties like her, I really should know better.”
“You’re a babysitter?” The wheels were already turning in his head. “You wouldn’t happen to have time to spare for the rest of us, would you?”
You laughed. “I do, actually. My best client officially stopped needing a sitter last Saturday. My bub’s all grown up and going to middle school now.”
“Um, can I have your number or do you use a website…?”
“Oh! Of course.” You pulled out a business card. “I use Sitters. You can book me through that as well as see my references, in case you had any questions about my background.”
He took it and your fingers brushed his. “Thank you!” Your name was neatly printed over little pink and purple hand prints with a QR code and your phone number underneath. Just then, the bus pulled up to the stop with a hiss of air brakes interrupting the moment. Jinwoo felt a twinge of disappointment at how quickly the conversation had flown by—he didn’t want it to end just yet.
“Did you need help?” You pointed at the stroller in front of him. It took his brain a minute to catch up before he was nodding with a bit too much enthusiasm.
“Yes! I can grab it if you’re okay with holding her for a second.”
You didn’t bat an eye, hands out ready to receive The Hair Puller who was pulling on one of Stitch’s ears with every ounce of concentration a two year old could have. To her credit, Harin didn’t fuss at all like she normally would. She looked content in your arms as Jinwoo quickly folded the stroller up and joined the line of passengers boarding the bus.
