I grimace. “Is it that obvious?”
“Don’t worry, you won’t break her.” She smiles at me. “She’s tougher than she looks.”
That thought makes me sad, because without a mother, it’s going to be tough for her. Just like it was tough for Quinn.
Quinn comes back with the bottle and crouches in front of me. She hands the bottle over. “Hold it like this so she doesn’t get air bubbles.” I do as she says, and Daisy takes big gulping drinks, her tears on hold for the moment.
“She looks like her mom,” the woman says. “Big blue eyes.”
Quinn smiles and doesn’t correct her.
She drinks fast, and when she slows, her eyes slide shut. Quinn takes the bottle from me. “Now you have to burb her.”
I put her over my shoulder, the same way Zander had earlier, and I rub and tap her tiny little back. My eyes meet Quinn’s and she’s watching me carefully, an expression on her face I can’t quite figure out. Does she want a baby of her own? Most likely, considering she works in a daycare. But she doesn’t go out with many men, has never been serious with anyone. It’s not like I keep tabs on her or anything. It’s just that she’s my best friend’s sister and her well-being is important to me.
And yeah, I keep tabs on her.
Daisy lets out the loudest burb in the room and my chest puffs out as the women chuckle. I’m kind of proud that my girl can burb like that.
My girl.
Wow, talk about going from denial to acceptance in record time. But the truth is, I might be a selfish prick, but I had a good upbringing. My mother taught me right from wrong and made sure I accepted responsibility for my actions.
How is she going to feel about little Daisy? My folks are old fashioned and believe in marriage before children. Will they encourage me to marry Shari, to keep a family together? I mean, a baby needs a mom and dad, right? Quinn and Zander know that firsthand. Maybe that’s what Quinn was thinking about, that I should go find Shari and do right by her and Daisy.
“We should get her home,” Quinn says quietly, her voice a little sad.
I wrap Daisy in her blanket and place her back in the stroller we bought. Since everything we purchased is being delivered, and we were able to do-one stop shopping in the department store, including baby formula, and diapers, we head to the car. Delivery will be later today, which will give me lots of time to get her crib set up before nightfall.
I buckle Daisy in and I cautiously drive to the local grocery store. Quinn seems a little amused by my driving. She averts her gaze and looks out the window. “Are your mom and dad away?” she asks.
“Yeah, they just left, otherwise I wouldn’t be taking up all your time with this. I would have gotten Mom to help.”
“I don’t mind, Jonah. I didn’t have much planned for this weekend.”
“So, I’m not keeping you from a hot date?” I tease.
I must have touched a sore spot because her head spins my way. “Well, yes, but I can reschedule,” she says, and I get the sense she’s lying. “Daisy needs me more than I…”
“More than you what?” I ask, wanting to add…need to get laid, but I’m not interested in spending the rest of my life with one testicle.
Heat moves into her cheeks, making her look so goddamn sexy, my dick twitches. Goddammit, that’s the last thing I need right now.
“More than I need a romantic candlelight dinner out.”
“That’s your thing? Romantic candlelight dinners?”
“That’s none of your business,” she says with a lift of her chin.
“You’re right, it’s not. Want to know my thing?”
“I already do. Boobs.”
I laugh and catch her grin. “What if I said you were wrong?”
“First, I’d say you were a liar; second, I’d say I do
n’t want to know any more.”