Page 62 of Roommate's Guide to Love

Overwhelm shock coming in three…two…

“What the fuck is all this?”

And there it is.

“This, my friend, is the baby section. It has everything you’re going to ever need when it comes to this little one.”

Porter starts slowly walking down the aisle, eyes unblinking and jaw hanging as he starts looking at all the options, and I’m guessing by the choking sound he just made, the prices.

“I’m going to guess you didn’t know this section existed?”

He just shrugs his shoulders. “I’ve walked past it on the way to electronics, but I never paid attention.”

“That tracks,” I say as I head over to the diapers. I look at the label, making sure I’m getting the right size, before tossing the biggest box I can find into the cart.

“What the hell, Quinn?” he asks. “Why would you buy that massive box?”

I swallow a laugh, but on cue, Grace lets out the most precious, and well-timed, giggle herself. “That’s right, Gracie. You tell Uncle Porter that these aren’t going to last two weeks.”

“What?” he yells, following behind me blindly as I start loading up with wipes, ointments, baby food, formula, and all of those essential items you need for a baby. “Quinn. I thought you said we were getting essentials?”

“These are the essentials. And we haven’t even made it a quarter of the way down Ainsley’s list of things to get.”

“Wait. Ainsley knows?”

Shit. Does he not know the whole town probably knows by now? What must it be like to not be addicted to phones and social media? “Yeah. I’m guessing you haven’t checked your messages today?”

Porter pulls it from his pocket and I can see the moment he realizes that all of Rolling Hills knows about our newest resident. “How the fuck did this happen?”

“That’s on me,” I say, making my way to the baby bathroom aisle. “Someone spotted me last night when I ran out to get the diapers and formula. Apparently Quinn Banks buying diapers after dark is enough to set off alarm bells. Then, and this is only me assuming and knowing how our town’s rumor mill goes, the Facebook group got real nosy, someone saw my car at your house, already knew something was going on with your sister, and people started talking. My family was rioting for answers this morning. But because of that, Maeve and Simon are helping out with things they don’t need anymore for their kids. So that’s going to save a few bucks.”

Porter runs his hand over his face. “I mean, it was only going to be a matter of time. But I would’ve liked a few more hours to wrap my head around this before people start butting into my life.”

“I get it,” I say. “I can only imagine what it’s going to be like tonight when you show up to the bar.”

“The bar!” Porter’s outburst makes me jump, which brings on the first actual crying I’ve heard from Grace in the hours I’ve known her. “Shit. I scared her.”

Porter looks like a deer in headlights as Grace’s cries become louder. “It’s okay,” I say to Grace as I pick her up, but it was meant for Porter as well. “Shhh. It’s okay, Gracie Bear. Uncle Porter just got excited. But that’s because he has to tell your new, non-family, old-as-dirt uncles about you.”

My joke and soft tone work on Grace, who rests her head on my shoulder, but apparently not on her terrified uncle. I come over to him, Grace in my arms and my other hand rubbing his back, trying to offer some comfort. “Hey. I told you I’m here for you. For her. You tell me what you want me to do tonight. If you want me to work the bar, I can do that. If you want me to stay with her, I can do that as well. Stella and Ainsley have also offered babysitting shifts when need be. I’m sure Wes or any of his family will jump in when you need them to. Like I said, you’re not alone in this. It’s just going to take a little bit to adjust everything.”

His head is down, but he doesn’t shy away from my touch. “This is becoming more overwhelming with every minute.”

“I know. I’d be more worried if you weren’t acting like this. It’s a lot. And no one says you have to know everything right now. But hey! Last night you didn’t know how to change a diaper. This morning you learned. And right now you didn’t realize that babies have hearing and will react to loud screams. And now you do. Two new things learned in twenty-four hours.”

That joke makes him let out a soft laugh. “Can I do this, Quinn? And don’t sugarcoat this. I need the Quinn Banks who doesn’t pull punches. Can I actually raise this little girl?”

I could answer him right away, because I know the answer is yes. But I have a feeling he’s not just going to believe my words. He needs to truly believe it for himself.

“Are you going to give her a safe place to live?”

He seems shocked by my question. “Of course. Why would you ask?—”

I cut him off. “Are you going to make sure she has food and clothing? You know, once you get over the sticker shock of this shopping trip.”

He seems to realize what I’m doing and relaxes slightly. “I will.”

“Are you going to love her? Even though you just met her. And even though she’ll one day grow into a teenager who might try and stink bomb the high school. Will you love her?”

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