Page 61 of Roommate's Guide to Love

Stella: Okay, shut the fuck up. That is the most precious thing I’ve ever seen.

Maeve: Quinn? While that’s adorable and all, why are you in Porter’s house at nine in the morning taking pictures of him sleeping?

Did she have to call me out like that?

Quinn: Part of me helping included spending the night. He doesn’t know how to change a diaper, let alone what to do if she’d wake up crying. He was terrified. So I stayed to make sure they were okay.

I know at some point today I’m going to be getting a phone call—not a text—from my sister about the validity of that last statement, and if there’s something more about why Porter would call me and not anyone else. In the eight years I’ve been sleeping with Porter, she’s the only one to even sniff that there’s something going on. But I’m pretty sure I threw her off the scent.

Then again, Ainsley saw me leave the night I came over after we went to the bar. Is she putting things together?

Shit. My carefully guarded secret might be slowly starting to unravel.

Ainsley: That was nice of you. You’re a good friend.

Phew. If she has any inklings, at least she’s keeping them to herself. Also, I can’t help but laugh at her use of the word “friend.” Ainsley meant it in the actual definition. Yet, all I can think is that I have to be the only fuck buddy in the history of fuck buddies to get conned into spending the night to take care of someone else’s baby.

Quinn: Thanks. I’ll probably be tied up here all day today helping him get settled. We need to get her more diapers and essentials. The only outfit she has is the one she showed up in. Probably need a crib or a pack and play or something.

Simon: Let me go through some of Lainey’s things. We have too many clothes and Charlie will be ecstatic that I’m getting rid of some of the things I bought on a whim.

Maeve: And don’t buy a pack and play. I know for a fact I still have Jayce’s. I just saw it when we sold my house. I’ll get it out of storage and anything else you could need. We’ll bring them by tonight.

Quinn: Thank you both. I appreciate you.

Stella: And please let me know if I can help. I’m here to pull a babysitting shift if you or Porter need a hand.

Ainsley: Same. We’re here to help, Quinn.

I feel a tear forming in my eye. I don’t know what I did to deserve this family, but I thank my stars daily that I’m a Banks.

Quinn: I love you all. I’ll keep everyone updated.

I set my phone down as the cutest little cry comes from the bed. I look up to see Grace starting to stir, causing Porter to quickly open his eyes.

“I got her,” I say, walking over to the bed and leaning over for Grace. “Come here, sweet girl.”

She immediately comes into my arms, laying her head on my shoulder as her quiet cries come from her tiny mouth.

“You sure? I can do it,” he says with his eyes completely closed. Does he think he learned to change a diaper in his dreams?

“I’m sure,” I say. “But we have a big day ahead of us. Jump in the shower and get that credit card ready, McCoy. It’s time to baby shop.”

* * *

“Are you ready?”

I go to grab a buggy, setting my iced coffee into the handy dandy cup holder, as I watch Porter do his best to strap Grace into the seat of the child-friendly shopping cart.

“You got it?”

“I’m fine,” he says as he bites his bottom lip in concentration as he tries to fasten the strap while little miss Gracie is wiggling around, wanting to look at every little thing. Though she’s definitely not as wiggly as she was this morning when I was trying to teach Porter how to change her diaper. “Also, did you need a coffee for this? You already had a cup today.”

I let out a big laugh as we make our way through the store. Little does he know this is my third and it isn’t even noon. “The answer is that you always need an iced coffee. But for this kind of shopping haul? Yes. An iced caramel cold brew with an extra shot of espresso and sweet cream cold foam is needed. Now, enough stalling. Off to the baby section!”

“Wait,” he says as I skillfully avoid the cookie aisle. “Why do you have a buggy too?”

I don’t say anything, because in about ten steps I’m going to sit back and watch Porter’s eyes as he realizes why I also needed a buggy.

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