Page 87 of The Roommate Experiment

“Hey, she liked my humor. And I think it went well. It’ll be good if she remembers us as more than just names on paper.”

She shakes her head, but her lips curve into a small smile. “I’m surprised you didn’t tell her we’re dog haters. Now, that would’ve been memorable.”

I laugh, the familiar joke still sharp after all these years. “You’re right, I should’ve brought socks:Stepping Into Parenting.”

Hunter laughs. “Toe-tally Into Babies.”

We pass a line of honking taxis as Hunter slows her pace. She frowns, something on her mind.

“Should we tell them?” she asks, her voice low. “About the application? Tonight, at dinner?”

I look at her, startled by the shift in tone. “You mean everyone?”

She nods, a flicker of hesitation glimmering in her dark eyes. “I don’t want to jinx it. But… I also want to share the journey. And if I get too stressed about the wait, I’d like to talk to Nina and Winnie about it.”

I consider this. Our friends are the nosiest, most opinionated group I know, my sister especially. Secrets don’t last long around them. “You’re right.” I sigh. “Let’s tell them so they won’t think we’re having a mid-life crisis or something.”

Hunter laughs, her tension easing a bit. “I don’t know. A bright-red sports car might suit you.”

I smirk. “I’ll stick with parenting chaos, thanks. I hear it’s just as expensive.”

She hugs me. “Alright. We’ll tell them. Tonight.”

I kiss her before flagging down a cab.

The ride to Tristan and Nina’s place is short. We’re the last to arrive, and the moment we step in, Soleil comes barreling toward us, her curls bouncing. “Uncle Dylan!”

I crouch down, bracing for impact. “Hey, sunshine! How’s the reigning queen of chaos?”

“I’m not chaos!” she declares, hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of Rowena.

Adrian ambles over, holding his infant son. “She’s more of a tyrant than chaos.”

“Daddy!” Soleil protests, her little face scrunching up in mock offense.

Rowena appears, armed with a plate of appetizers and a raised eyebrow. “Don’t rile her up, Adrian. She’s finally calm.”

Adrian shrugs. “Calm is overrated.”

Rowena ignores him, beaming at Hunter. “You look different. Did something happen?”

Hunter turns to me. “Not even five minutes and we’re busted.”

Rowena smirks, smug. “Busted for what? Did you sneak off to get matching tattoos?”

“What is a tattoo, Mommy?”

Rowena pats her daughter’s head. “Something you don’t have to worry about for at least another thirteen years.”

Soleil pouts. “I can google it.”

Rowena sighs. “If you can spell tattoo, you deserve to know.”

Hunter chuckles nervously, and her fingers dig into my arm in a silent,You’re the one who said we should tell them.

I clear my throat, scanning the room for my sister. “Where are Nina and Tristan? Let’s get all the tough love in one sitting.”

“They’re in the kitchen arguing about whether the napkins should be folded or rolled,” Adrian says, adjusting his son in his arms. “It’s riveting.”

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