Today is the day. The day I move in with Reid. No big deal, right? It's only for a few weeks. I know Reid was reluctant with me staying, considering I had Ava, and if he said no, I would have understood. I'm aware not too many people would have been willing to accommodate a live-in nurse with a small child. I can't believe Kate would even suggest me for the job. What the hell was she thinking? After leaving Reid's place yesterday, I almost called my boss. I wanted to tell her she should find someone else, but the bigger picture is I need the money. I have bills and responsibilities. It's because of Ava and Grams that I'm going to suck it up and do the job. Kate wouldn't have chosen me if she didn't think I could handle it. I need to learn not to take Reid's attitude personally. I mean who can blame the guy. My job is to help him get better, and that is precisely what I am going to do. If Reid Carter thinks I can't handle his brash words and sour attitude, then he's sorely mistaken.

Growing up the way I did has given me a thick skin. I can take whatever he throws at me. Besides, I have a feeling what I saw yesterday is not who Reid is. I don't know all the struggles he has faced in his life, but I know lost when I see it. I'm only there to help him recover, that's it. I have enough problems of my own than to be worried about that man. That gorgeous sexy… "Ugh, stop it Mila." I chastise myself. "He's not that sexy," I lie to myself while looking down at the suitcases I have open on top of my bed. And never mind the fact that my stomach flutters every time he calls me Kitten.

This morning I explained to Ava the best way I knew how what was happening. I told her we are going to stay with a friend for a little while, so Mommy can help him get better. She looked at me for a moment then asked if she could bring her princess pillow and princess blanket. When I told her of course, she happily went back to eating her cereal.

An hour later she was dropped off at preschool, and I came back home to finish packing. After staring at these suitcases for the past fifteen minutes, I decide what I need is a pep talk. And I know just who to talk to. Pulling my phone from my back pocket, I fire off a text.

Me: Want to grab a coffee?

My phone pings seconds later.

Bella: YES!!! I thought you'd never ask!

When I read her reply, I shake my head and chuckle. I'm betting Bella knows exactly why I want to meet. She has probably already heard the news of me being Reid's home care nurse from Quinn since he was at Reid's place yesterday. I bet she's been dying to talk to me and was waiting for me to say something first.

I couldn't ask for a better friend than Bella. A couple of years ago before she met Logan, she started working at the grocery store in town. I had started working there about a month before her, and we became instant friends. She has Logan and the club now, and I don't feel right taking up too much of her time. When I do need a shoulder to lean on, or someone to talk to, Bella always drops everything to be there for me.

Gathering my keys and my purse, I walk out of the house I've shared with my grandmother for the past few years and make my way to my car. I drive to the coffee shop, which is only a few miles away. When I pull up, I can see Bella through the front window of the store. She watches me get out of my car with the biggest smile on her face. Yep, she knows.

Pushing the shop door open, I see she already has my coffee waiting for me. I barely take my seat at the table across from her when she speaks up, "Anything new?"

Rolling my eyes, I take a sip of my coffee, "Like you don't already know."

"Of course, I know. Quinn told me. Don't let their cuts fool you, those men gossip like a bunch of fifteen-year-old girls," she softly laughs. A mental picture of a of bikers sitting around gossiping like a bunch of housewives makes me giggle right along with her.

"Alright," Bella says looking serious. "Jokes aside, are you okay with being Reid's caretaker? Quinn said he was a bit difficult. I promise you, Mila, that's not how Reid normally acts. He's having a hard time," She raises her hand, stopping me before I protest, "I know it's no excuse for his behavior, but I just want you to know that. And how did all this happen? Are you not working at the hospital anymore?"

I wave my hand at her, "I don't take his attitude personally. I deal with patients like him all the time. I know it's not me he's angry with, it's his situation. I promise you, I can handle Reid." After Bella studies the sincerity of my response, I continue to tell her about losing my job and my boss giving me Reid's case.

"You know I'm a firm believer that all things happen for a reason." Bella utters from behind her mug. She has a wicked gleam in her eye too.

"Bella Kane, don't you go getting any ideas in that head of yours. It's just a job. Nothing more." I can tell by her secretive smile she won't be letting this go. The last thing I want is Bella playing matchmaker. If the constant sneer Reid was sending my way yesterday was any indication, he's not the least bit interested either.

Thirty minutes later, Bella and I part with plans to meet up again in a couple of days. I already feel so much better. Sometimes all you need is a good friend to lean on and someone to tell you everything will be okay.

Later that day, I have mine and Ava's things packed and in my car when I go to pick her up from preschool. We are now on our way to Reid's. The drive to his place is short as I listen to Ava jabber in the rear seat about her day.

"Is dis it, Momma?" Ava asks pointing out the window.

"Yeah baby girl, this is it." Getting out of the car, I open the back door and unstrap Ava from her car seat.

"How ya doin', darlin'?" A deep voice says from behind me, making me jump, and I bang my head on the roof of my car.

"Damn it!" I shout.

"Oh, shit, sweetheart. Didn't mean to scare ya."

When I turn around, I see Quinn standing behind me holding his hands up and wincing. "I saw you pull up. Thought I'd come down and help you carry your stuff up."

"It's okay, Quinn," I tell him while rubbing the knot on the top of my head. "And some help would be great, thanks." Leaning back down in the car, I lift Ava out of her seat and set her down on the ground.

"Momma, you say a bad word."

"I know baby, I'm sorry. Now come on, let's get our stuff inside, okay?" Doing as I ask, she walks around to the trunk of my car. When my daughter sees Quinn standing there, she stops in her tracks and looks up at him. "Hi," she greets not acting shy at all.

"How ya doin' kid?"

She studies him for several seconds before opening her mouth as saying what I knew was coming. "You says a bad word too." Quinn looks to me for guidance. I offer him a shrug. He turns back to Ava, and I watch as he opens and closes his mouth a few times at a loss for words. He takes his wallet out of his back pocket and pulls out a dollar. "Sorry kid, here ya go." And hands her the money. With a sly smile, my little girl takes the offered dollar and stuffs it in her pocket.

"I forgib you." When I look back at Quinn, he has a huge smile plastered on his face as if he's won. When he looks back at me, I shake my head at him. "Big, big mistake."

His smile quickly turns into a frown. "What?"

"Oh, you'll see," I tell him patting his arm as I walk by. The three of us walk side by side through the entrance on the ground floor. Stepping onto the lift, Quinn presses the button that takes up to the top.

"Dis is so cool," Ava gushes. "We get to lib here, Momma?"

"We sure do," I say trying to sound excited for my little girl, only I'm not the least bit excited, I'm nervous as hell. Stepping off the lift, I peer around the room looking for Reid.

"He's in his room," Quinn informs me. "He'll probably be out in a bit. Until then, let's get you settled in your room," he motions down the hall.

"Come on, baby, this way," I tell Ava as we both follow Quinn. I wasn't expecting our room to be furnished. The first thing I notice is a queen size bed and on the opposite side of the room is a toddler bed. Everything in here looks new. I can't believe Reid did this for us. I would have been fine on a pull-out or an air bed. Quinn seems to be reading my expression because he speaks up.

"He wanted you both to be comfortable. Contrary to his current attitude, Reid is one of the best guys I know. Don't let him fool ya."

Not having any response to that, I simply nod. Dipping his head, Quinn turns to leave.

"I'm going to get out of here and let you all settle in."

"Thanks, Quinn, I appreciate your help."

Stopping, he turns around, "Anytime, darlin'. And a piece of advice. Give him hell. Whatever he dishes out, you give it back ten-fold."

Later in the evening Ava and I venture out into the kitchen. Reid still hasn't made an appearance. I know he's okay because I can hear his TV and it sounded like he was talking to someone on the phone earlier. Either way, Ava needs her dinner. It's weird being in someone else's space and using their things. "Want to help momma cook dinner?"

"Yes!" Ava squeals clapping her hands together. Looking through the fully stocked cabinets and freezer, I turn to my little helper. "How about spaghetti?" Watching her vigorously nodding her head, I believe she agrees. Spotting a step stool in the corner, I bring it over to the kitchen island for Ava. We go about mixing our ingredients for the sauce, and then I move on to starting the water for the noodles. I love cooking with my daughter. Grams used to let me cook with her every day I was at her house. She taught me everything I know, including this homemade sauce. Grams never used the stuff from a can. I usually like to let my sauce simmer most of the day, but this will do in a pinch.

Roughly an hour later, I'm pulling the garlic bread from the oven while Ava sets the table when I'm startled by movement in the hall.

I look over my shoulder and notice Reid watching us with a weird look on his face. When he notices I've caught him, the look he had before vanishes. I'm the first to break the silence. "Dinner is almost done if you're hungry." He makes his way over to the dining room table.

"I could eat."

I give him a small smile.

It's a start.