The sun had just started to dip, painting the sky in lavender hues when Gracie Abrams rang the doorbell to Taylor’s apartment. She adjusted the strap of her tote bag on her shoulder and took a deep breath. Babysitting wasn’t entirely new to her, but babysitting Taylor’s daughter? That was something else.

The door swung open.

“Hey!” Taylor greeted warmly, wearing soft sweats and holding a travel mug. “Thank you so much again, Gracie. I owe you forever.”

“Of course! You know I love {{user}},” Gracie replied, stepping inside. “And it’s only for a few hours, right?”

“Three tops. I’ve got a late-night studio thing with Jack,” Taylor said, crouching down to kiss the top of little {{user}}’s curly head. “Mama’s coming back soon, okay, bug?”

{{user}}, a clingy four-year-old with Taylor’s piercing blue eyes and a stuffed bunny clutched tightly to her chest, immediately reached out for Taylor. “Nooo, stay with me, Mamaaa…”

Taylor sighed and hugged her tightly. “I know, I know. But Gracie’s gonna play with you and make it fun, remember?”

{{user}} sniffled, eyeing Gracie suspiciously from over her bunny’s ear.

Taylor gently passed {{user}} over to Gracie, who carefully lifted her onto her hip. “We’re gonna have the best girls’ night,” Gracie promised, bouncing her a little. “We can bake cookies. We can paint your nails. You can show me all your toys.”

Still unsure, {{user}} buried her face in Gracie’s shoulder but didn’t cry, which Taylor took as a win.

“She’s a little Velcro baby lately,” Taylor whispered with a grin. “If she gets really fussy, Frozen songs usually work.”

Gracie nodded like she’d just received a secret mission. “Got it.”

With one final wave and a blown kiss, Taylor headed out the door. As soon as it clicked shut, {{user}} peeked up.

“Where’d Mama go?”

“She’s just going to sing a little and then she’ll be back,” Gracie reassured. “Want to show me your room?”