I don’t even know what she’s talking about. “How much doesonesix-month-old kid need for a few days?”
The guys mumble in agreement.
Bree smirks at her cohort. “They’re so adorably clueless, aren’t they?”
Gabby laughs and then starts counting on her hand even while she somehow keeps her arms around the kid. “Diapers, formula, clothes, blankets, a car seat, some pacis, a pack-and-play, a few toys. Minimum.”
What the fuck is a paci?
“Minimum.” Bree nods and crosses her arms.
“And how are we supposed to go to Target without a car seat?”
“Easy. One of your roommates has to watch her.”
Well, hell. I’d rather go to Target than babysit.
But her comment sends all of the guys scrambling out of their seats like their jock straps catch on fire.
I hold up my hand. “Get back here, assholes. Number one, I need some cash. Let’s assume if one of us is the sperm donor, that person will pay everyone back for these expenses.” I say another prayer it’s not me, because how the hell am I supposed to support my drunk-ass father, myself,anda baby? “Number two, you can watch Poppy in pairs. And when I say watch her, I mean one set of eyes need to be on her at all times. We don’t know if the kid will do somersaults off the beds when she wakes up or chew on cords or whatever.”
“She’s not a puppy.” Gabby snorts. “But I agree redundancy is needed in this case.”
Ignoring her, I continue. “And three, if there’s an emergency, call one of the girls.”
Gabby and Bree give out their numbers, and the guys dutifully program them into their phones.
I look up from my screen and smirk at Gabby. “Does this mean you’ll unblock me?”
She taps her chin with her index finger like she’s deep in thought. “I’m not sure. Has hell frozen over yet?”
I’m laughing when I realize the room has gone quiet. “What?”
Ben’s holding his fists at his side. “Why would my sister need tounblockyou?”
I want to tell him to mind his own fucking business when Gabby stands and holds the baby up to her brother until he reluctantly takes her.
“Here’s the thing, Ben. If you had been in my lifein any way at allsince college started, you’d probably know the answer to that question. But since you weren’t, not even when I tried, you don’t deserve to ask.”
And with that, the beautiful Marie Antoinette stalks away.
10
GABBY
Rider istight-lipped as he follows Bree and me through the aisles of Target.
Thankfully, I changed out of my Halloween costume before we came, and I can breathe again now that I’m wearing yoga pants and a hoodie.
“Oooh, this is pretty,” Bree coos at a pink bodysuit.
I don’t know Bree that well, but she and her boyfriend seem pretty devoted to each other. “Are you and Tank planning a big family?”
“Huge. Like five kids.”
“That’s sweet. Terrifying, but sweet.”
She laughs and tosses the outfit in the cart. “What about you? Do you want a big family someday?”
