night & day

Ty's parents seem to have their act together, and his little sisters are old enough that he doesn't have to constantly worry about them anymore. He could even enroll in some college classes if he could find an overnight job that won't kill him. One where he might be able to study occasionally, or catch a nap. When he sees the advertisement for a night nanny, it sounds perfect. After all, he's got a soft spot for babies, and raised his sisters himself.

If Ty is having some seriously sinful thoughts about Isabel's handsome, melancholy father-well. His thing for older men is nothing new, and he can keep himself under control for the half-hour their paths cross in the morning and evening.

Jonathan is overwhelmed by his wife leaving abruptly-though, to be honest, he'd known it was over for years-by the new responsibilities he's just been handed at his law firm, and by the baby daughter he adopted three months ago, Isabel. The baby his now-vanished wife had been begging for. He was lucky to get a place for Isabel in the best infant care program in the city, but it closes at 5 p.m. Before Isabel, Jonathan had never held a baby or changed a diaper. He needs help day and night.

When Ty answers his advertisement, Jonathan looks past the tattoos and piercings at the way Ty expertly soothes the baby and hires him on the spot. The only problem in the weeks that follow is how much Jonathan begins to look forward to Ty's arrival every night, and not just because he's ready to hand Isabel over and get some sleep. There's something that fascinates him about the kid who steps out of the darkness late each night with a crooked smile.

After Isabel's daycare temporarily closes unexpectedly, a desperate Jonathan asks Ty if he can work more hours. Ty says he can-if he can crash in the guest room, too.