Page 80 of Roommate's Guide to Love

“Good morning, Emily.”

It’s the nicest words I can say to a woman who rarely has anything nice at all to say to anyone. Except to me. But that’s just because she’s trying to fuck me.

I don’t have a lot of regrets in life, but hooking up with her all those years ago in high school probably tops that short list.

“Hey, Porter.” She gives me a wink before turning to my roommate. “Quinn.”

“Town bike. How we doing today?”

I nearly bite my lip off by Quinn’s greeting. I mean, she’s not wrong. But only Quinn Banks has the balls to say it out loud to the person standing in front of them.

“Probably better than you…Big Girl.”

“What the fuck did you just call her?” I bite out.

Emily has the audacity to wave me off. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just a little joke between me and Quinn. Isn’t that right?”

I look at Quinn and see the split second that Emily’s comeback got to her. However, I don’t think Emily did as she’s now leaning over, frankly, way too close, to Grace. “I heard there was a new little baby so I had to come see her. Aren’t you just so cute? Yes, you are. Oh yes, you are.”

Now, I’ve done more baby talk over the past month than I ever thought I’d do. It’s like, all of a sudden, I just started doing it the second Grace was dropped on my desk.

But mine is nice. Soothing. Emily’s is just weird.

And I’m not the only one who thinks so—Grace’s “what the fuck” face is as strong as I’ve ever seen it.

“Come here, baby girl,” I say to Grace as I purposely move her away from the crazy woman standing at my table. “Actually, you know what, Emily? I think it’s best you leave.”

Apparently Emily didn’t hear, or is choosing to ignore me. I’m betting the latter. “Baby girl? Oh, Porter. That’s such a sweet nickname. But of course, you’re a sweet man, and she’s just a precious little girl.”

I’m guessing my expression at Emily’s theatrics are the reason Quinn is snickering. If I had to guess I’d say my look probably matches Grace’s.

“What are you laughing at?”

Quinn shakes her head and fans herself to stop crying. I can tell she’s being dramatic, but that’s the fire you have to fight when it comes to Emily. “Oh nothing. I was just thinking about how sweet he is at home. I’ve seen such a new side to Porter. He really just is the best person to take care of this little girl.”

This gets Emily’s attention. “Home? How do you know about his home?”

And now I see what Quinn’s doing. And you know what? Fuck it. It’s always good to have a show with a meal.

“Oh, you didn’t know? Silly me, I figured everyone in town knew, you know, with how the gossip mill runs around here. Then again, no one tells you anything because most of the time the gossip involves you and which marriage you’re trying to break up this week. But yes! I moved in with Porter and Grace. We’re just one little happy family.”

“You. And Porter.” Emily looks back and forth between Quinn and I. “You’re together?”

“We’re raising Gracie here together, yes,” Quinn says. I don’t miss how she doesn’t answer the question exactly, but does so just enough to piss Emily off. I’m both disappointed and impressed. “It’s been amazing. Playing with her. Family dinners. Oh, and you should see the way Porter twirls her around, making her laugh and laugh. Oh! And then there was the other day when she was napping on him as he was shirtless,” She sighs dramatically. “It was a sight to see. You really should’ve been there, Emily. Because let me tell you, it was perfect.”

Emily’s eyes are so narrow I don’t know how she’s seeing out of them. But what’s getting my attention is how Quinn’s not breaking her seething glare at Emily. She’s standing her ground. Daring her to have a comeback.

Also, I didn’t realize Quinn saw me the other day when Grace fell asleep on me. Interesting…

“Well, that’s just great for you,” Emily says in her fake nice way. “I mean, after you were fired from your teaching job and everything, it’s good that you could make yourself. Let’s be real—who in this town would ever give Big Girl Banks, the terror of Rolling Hills, a chance. Of course Porter would, he’s too good of a guy.”

She turns to me, her eyes showing nothing but mock sincerity. “Just know Porter that if you ever needanyhelp, withanything, you know where to find me. I’m always going to be here for you. Just like I used to be.”

Oh, fuck her. Why is she making this seem like what we had was a thing? It was one drunken hookup at a party when I was in high school.

I look over to Quinn, hoping to somehow let her know that it wasn’t like that with me and Emily, only to see a fury of emotions playing through her brown eyes.

She’s pissed. She’s mad. She’s hurt.

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