Page 61 of Designed for Disaster

“Go see your fifth-favorite uncle,” Vincent said, handing the baby off to Trent. Despite the huff he gave at having a baby thrust at him, Trent looked like a natural, holding Violet on his hip. Though I supposed he’d been through all of this with Hailey already. The baby gurgled, chewing on a cookie that she mashedinto Trent’s shoulder. It was ridiculously cute, as was Trent’s playful glare.

“How the hell am I the fifth favorite?” Trent grumbled.

“I’m the first favorite, obviously,” Aiden said, tickling Violet under the chin. “Dominic comes second, with his baby whispering skills. Paul’s third, because Violet likes his hair.”

“And fourth?” Trent demanded.

“Jimmy,” Vincent stated simply.

“Betrayed by my own brother,” Trent muttered before pressing a kiss on top of Violet’s head. “You don’t really like Jimmy better than me, do you? He never does laundry until his socks are stiff enough to stand on their own, you know.”

“Sure, but he’s better at making funny faces than you are,” Piper explained. “How’s he doing, anyway? I thought we might see him today—I wanted to ask how school was going.”

Trent winced. “It’s…going. Adjusting hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing, but once he gets his feet under him, I think he’ll be fine.” His eyes met mine and we shared a smile.

Aiden smacked him on the shoulder. “Speaking of funny faces…” he said, gesturing at Violet. “Incoming.”

“I just changed her,” Piper said. “It’s probably just gas.”

“Gas for her fifth-favorite uncle,” Aiden snickered.

Trent glowered at Aiden. “Seems like she really wants to get in on the action.” Violet kicked her feet, screeching at the party shenanigans. An actress in a princess costume drifted across the terrace, and there were dozens of shrieks of delight from Hailey’s friends. Violet cooed louder.

I spotted Hailey at the front of the pack, now wearing Stacy’s dress. She beamed, shoving a too-large crown up her forehead. I turned back, squeezing Trent’s hand. Stacy must have been thrilled at Hailey’s reception to the dress.

A man walked over, giving me a friendly smile.

“This is Paul,” Trent said. “And his wife, Chloe.”

“Glad Trent finally has someone to bring to all these things,” Chloe said, nudging my shoulder. “I promise they’re not all this hectic.”

I smiled at her. The last I’d heard, Trent’s friends knew we were playing at this relationship for Dee’s sake, but from the way they greeted me, it was like they believed we were a real couple. It was reassuring in a way.

“I’ll be right back,” Trent said. I frowned at him, and he held up his phone. “Dee texted me to say she just arrived. I’m going to escort her up.”

Ah, right. Trent had mentioned that Dee might attend if she was feeling well enough. He squeezed my shoulder, handed Violet off to Piper, then disappeared, leaving me alone with his friends. This was the moment it might all go downhill, but as I turned back to them, Piper smiled at me.

“So, I saw some of the designs for the furniture pieces you’re making for Dee,” she said.

“Oh, really? I’m pretty excited about them. Trent found an old church and managed to save a lot of amazing stained glass.”

“What do you think about designing children’s furniture?”

“I’d love to,” I said.

“Great. It feels like we only just got the nursery done,” she explained, “but somehow this little one is already outgrowing things. I sort of want to set it up for the long term, if that makes sense?”

I nodded. “Pieces she can grow into.”

“Exactly. I just want to swap her crib out for a bed at some point, and everything else can stay.”

“I’ll have to pick your brain about your tastes,” I said. “Then I can draft some designs.”

Piper kissed the top of Violet’s head. “That’d be amazing.”

“Dee!” Aiden called.

I turned over my shoulder, spotting Trent and Dee. They made their way across the terrace, Dee pulling that portable canister of oxygen with her. She looked a little more run-down than the last time I saw her, and she was moving a little slower. I could tell by the way Trent hovered at her side that he was concerned. He wiped the look away by the time they made it over to us, and Dee rallied, going right for the baby.

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