My sister Dominique was waiting on my front porch, anxiously pacing. I couldn't help but shake my head, because my sister was convinced it was her job to fix my life. Maybe it was because she never her own kids, but she seemed to exercise her unused maternal instincts on me. Mostly I didn't mind, but I did feel a bit guilty taking her help constantly. I stepped out of the car and gave her a knowing glance.

"The bitch left you," Dom said flatly. "And you just let her go? Who will look after the girls?"

"Don't freak out," I warned. "But I've hired someone to help out. She is a teacher, and she passed all of my background checks. She's great, I swear."

"You brought some strange woman here," Dominique cried out.

The door to the passenger seat opened, and Kayla's tiny frame popped out with impeccable timing. The two stared at each other, both seeming to have a deer in the headlights moment.

"Dom, this is my friend..." I started to explain, but I was cut off.

"Kayla?" Dominique called out. "Oh wow, I haven't seen you in three years!"

             "Dom," Kayla said. "Wow, you're Dean's sister. What a small world it is. Wow."

"You two know each other?" I replied.

"We went to college together," Kayla said, her voice excited. "We used to hang out all the time, and then..."

"And then we got into a fight because she dating this jerk, some asshole named Darius. Hey, what happened to him?"

"I married him," Kayla said. "But we're getting divorced."

"Actually," I said quietly. "Darius is Greta's yoga instructor."

"Oh," Dominique said before she realized what I meant. "Oh, well, it is a small world."

"I am glad I saw you," Kayla said. "The truth is I missed you, and clearly you, were right."

"Come on in," Dominque said. "We have a lot to figure out."

           I watched as Kayla walked towards the door, and I followed behind her. I kept trying to will myself not to watch her legs as she walked, imagining a variety of things I'd do with those legs. It was piggish to think about, but I'd been celibate for so long and Kayla was so perfect. Perhaps if she intended to live here, we'd have to discuss things she'd better not wear. I could control myself if she avoided tiny skirts, tight jeans, and yoga pants. So, as long as she dressed like a chic nun, we'd be golden.

"Dean," Domonique said, my eyes shooting up. "Stop it."

"What is he doing?" Kayla asked, her voice innocent.

"Being an idiot," Dom replied.

I glared at her and she stuck out her tongue. We walked inside and Kayla looked around, clearly overwhelmed.

"Perhaps tomorrow is a good time for the grand tour," I said. "Kayla, let me show you your bed and then you can sleep. You look exhausted."

        "I'd like that," Kayla said. "Dom, maybe we can have coffee sometime and catch up. I've missed you."

"Tomorrow morning," Domonique replied. "The girls usually sleep in until eight or so, so we can have coffee and chat. Besides, it might be better if I introduce you."

"Why would it matter," I asked casually.

"Because their mom just left, and you brought home a strange woman. To them, it might look like you're replacing Greta."

"Oh, I hadn't thought of that," my voice trailed off.

"Which is why I am here," Dom replied. "If I introduce Kayla as aunty D's old friend, it might make it less weird. Besides, they really don't need to know about Darius."

Kayla's eyes twitched just a bit every time someone said the name Darius and I cringed. That guy had done a number on her, and it bothered me on a level I couldn't quite explain.

"Come on," I said. "We can work out the details later. I need to take Kayla to bed."

        The two women exchanges looks and before I could correct myself, Dominique just started laughing. I tried to resist, but I began to giggle as well. It was late, and my slip of the tongue was worth laughing over. We had to find humor where we could. I showed Kayla the stairway to the basement, turned on the light and extending my hand to her. The stairs were steep and I'd fallen down them a time or two. Still, her eyes held a certain look of curiosity as I walked her downstairs.

"I'm glad you're a friend of Dominique's," I said. "I mean, I liked you already, but it's confirmed my suspicions that we'll get along."

"I am less suspicious you're an axe murderer now," She replied. "Or some sort of sadist."

"Aren't sadists supposedly sexy now," I muttered, not thinking.

"Did you just make a Fifty Shades of Gray reference, Dean McKay?"

"It depends," I said. "Is it cute or creepy if I did?'

"I'm not sure yet," Kayla said. "It depends on if there's rope and whips down here."

             "We had a shady marriage, Kayla. But I do have some boundaries."

She wasn't listening anymore as she stepped off the bottom step and saw the door to the guest room. I slowly pushed it open and she smiled, seeing the yellow and white oasis that Greta had never walked into. I had renovated the downstairs as a mother's day present, sparing no expense to make it beautiful. I had intended to make the guest room into a library for Greta to use, to have quiet time to herself when she needed it. She came downstairs once and complain about the fact that she'd rather have an exercise room.

"This place is magnificent," Kayla squealed. "Oh my god, it's like a little piece of heaven. I love the curtains, and wow, how many books do you have down here."

"A lot," I said. "So you like the layout of the room?"

"It's lovely," she said, her eyes dancing. "I can't thank you enough for letting me stay here."

The look in her eyes, pure bliss and gratitude, it was the look I'd been looking for when I spent three weeks planning and working on the room. Greta hadn't even smirked at the work I'd done. But Kayla, she looked like a five year old in a room full of candies, running her fingers over a book and grinning. I bet she was kind of woman who knew how to say thank you and mean it.

       "Are you ok?" Kayla asked. "You're staring at me and you seem sort of sad."

"I'm fine," I said. "I am just really glad you like the room."

"Ok," Kayla replied. "Well, we should probably sleep. Marissa has a game tomorrow, right?"

"She does," I said, my heart clenching at the thought of my daughter. My daughter who was counting on her mother to make it to just one soccer game this season. That wasn't going to happen now.

"Good night," Kayla said.

           I nodded and turned around walking out the door. I shook my head, unsure what I was thinking. I knew inviting her to work here was a good plan; we needed each other. But if I kept comparing Kayla to Greta, there was no chance of reconciling my marriage when Greta came to her senses. Sure, I was miserable with Greta, but someone had to be an adult. And adults don't think about the way it felt when your new nanny started smiling. So I didn't stop to grin or act like an idiot, but I turned and went upstairs to see my sister staring at the doorway.

"Hey Dom," I said. "Thank you, by the way, for taking care of the girls tonight."

"No problem, Dean. But now, we are going to have a sister-brother chat."

I couldn't roll my eyes hard enough.

"You're not even divorced yet Dean," Dominique said. "You've got to stop looking at Kayla like that."

"Like what?" I asked. "How exactly am I looking at her?"

           "Like she is a glass slipper and your dick is Cinderella."

"Jesus, Dominique. Do you kiss our mother with that filthy mouth?"

"Look, I know you and Greta have had troubles. You probably don't even realize you have boner eyes, and neither does Kayla. But if you really want Kayla to be here for the girls, you need to keep things platonic."

"I know that. I am, actually, a full grown man. I am a good seven years older than you, sister."

"But you've never been a single dad before. You're in over your head."

"You've also never been a single dad," I said with a sarcastic smirk. She threw a dishtowel at me.

"But I am here to help you," she said. "I say, be careful with Kayla. Don't find excuses to sneak downstairs, ok? Be a gentleman."

            "Of course," I said. "Honestly, there is still a part of me who wants to pretend this didn't happen and reconcile."

"No," Dom said. "She pulled the trigger in a shitty way, but you two need to split up."

"It's not good for kids to go through a divorce," I said.

"And it's hard for them to live in an unhappy home. Do you honestly think your daughters don't notice that mom and dad never kiss, never sleep in the same room, or that they never go out together? And don't even pretend you two don't fight on occasion. Kari tells me everything."

"But Greta was here for them," I said. "And now she's gone. She left."

"They're better off. If you have to coerce her to stay, let her go. You're here Dean; that is enough. You can't control Greta."

"Clearly," I said. "God, my life is a mess, isn't it?"

              "Maybe, but it's a beautiful mess. I know its scary big brother, but I think this could be good. It will be painful, but think of the bright side. You and the girls are going to be closer than ever."

"Ok," I said.

"I promised the girls they are sleeping over tomorrow night," Dominique said. "It will be good for them to get away. In the meantime, you and Kayla can figure out how to relax around each other."

"What do you mean, around each other?"

"If you think you're the only one with wandering eyes, you're a silly man Dean. I've known Kayla a long time, and she's into you."

I rolled my eyes and shook my head as if to dismiss the claim. But a part of me, a small quiet part, couldn't help but hope Dominique was right. But then the rational part of me overrode it, and thought about something else.