Babysitter Moves In

"Thanks again for your help, Mr. Davis." Charissa smiled as I placed the last box of her few possessions on my guest room floor.

"It was my pleasure," I said. "And I told you, you can call me Seth."

She laughed, bubbly and cheerful, and said, "Sorry; it's hard to break old habits. I'll try."

"Well, that's all I ask," I said, flashing a smile back at her. I tried not to linger on the curves her tight denim shirt offered to my hungry eyes. I'd cast my fair share of furtive glances at Charissa during the years she spent as my babysitter, but my imagination had never been so active as it was with her now under my roof.

Our new arrangement was better than could be believed. Charissa had been a student at the Christian college down the road from my house and had babysat for my kids for the past four years (since my wife and I split up). She was always my kids' favorite sitter, though in recent years it had been hard to nail her down because of her active volleyball schedule. When she'd mentioned she was hoping to stay in the city one more summer after graduation, I jumped at the opportunity: Nanny my kids over the summer in exchange for free room and board. I couldn't believe my luck when she agreed. Now here she was, moving into the guest room that only my parents and some old college buddies had stayed in for several years.

"I guess I should get settled in," she said, turning to unpack her first suitcase.

"Of course," I said, turning to leave her new room. "Make yourself comfortable."

"Thanks... Seth. I'm really glad to be here!"

"I'm glad you're here, too, Charissa. I think it's going to be a great summer."