sweet when you think about it. They don’t know how they would live without us.”
“That’s true,” Charlie took another sip of wine. “They’re going to be all over us like white on rice tonight. Not our normal girls’ night out.”
The women all started talking about the pros and cons of having the men nearby, and Quinn merely took it all in. She’d never had friends like this where everyone talked all over each other and laughed and carried on.
Family. That’s what it was. These women are my family.
“So, you’re the pretty lady I owe for my daughter’s fascination with wallpaper.” A soft-spoken woman with brown hair came and stood next to Quinn as Riley went in to help Wavy with Anne’s eyeliner. “I’m Peyton, Jess’s mom.”
Quinn smiled. “I’m a big fan of your daughter’s. And I’m really sorry about the wallpaper. It’s very big and bright in the house I’m renting.”
“Big and bright is my daughter’s middle name. She is enamored with that wallpaper. She’s also enamored with the fact that her uncle Baby is enamored with you.”
All the talk in the apartment stopped. Everyone looked at Quinn.
Riley had introduced her, of course, when they’d first arrived, but as Boy Riley’s sister who was in town from Massachusetts. They’d all seemed friendly, and a couple of them had mentioned seeing her waiting tables at the Eagle’s Nest.
But this obviously had their attention. With all eyes locked on Quinn, her mind raced as a blush covered her neck and cheeks.
“Oh my God,” Wavy said. “Are you who my brother was kissing behind the Eagle’s Nest a couple of weeks ago?”
The women circled around Quinn.
“Um, yes.”
She wasn’t sure what sort of response to expect from that. Was she going to have to fight Wavy? Was that a thing? Quinn would lose. She didn’t know anything about fighting, girl fights or otherwise.
She was surprised and relieved when Wavy broke into a grin. “Good. He needs someone like you.”
Riley had said something along that same line earlier this evening.
Maybe it was the wine, but Quinn said, “I’m not sure what that means. Do you mean I’m good for him because I’m temporary? Older?” Not as attractive as the other woman he probably dates?
At least she’d had the good sense not to say that last part out loud.
Wavy looked over at Charlie, communicating something Quinn didn’t understand.
“No, not any of those things. We’ve watched Baby get more and more distant over the past couple of years. Withdrawing from almost everyone.”
“I don’t understand,” Riley said. “He seems fine to me. Friendly, always smiling, as usual.”
Wavy nodded. “I know. It took me a long time to see it too. You know Baby, he’s always friendly and laughing and making sure everyone else is doing okay emotionally. But there’s something off. I don’t know what it is, but I know my brother is struggling with something.”
“Not to mention he hasn’t truly gotten close to a woman for a long time,” Charlie interjected. “Finn and I were talking about that the other day. How Baby hasn’t been truly interested or invested in a woman for a while. Years. I don’t know why. At first, I thought it was because he wanted to play the field. Why settle down with one woman when every straight, single female in four different counties throws themselves at him?”
“But he doesn’t date them,” Peyton says. “And he doesn’t sleep with them. I noticed it too, but I was so busy trying to make sure Cade didn’t find out about Jess that I was careful not to get too close to Baby. Baby’s friendly with all those women, and they want more, but I don’t think he’s been interested.”
Wavy raised an eyebrow. “Exactly. Keeping them close without letting them close. Making sure they’re okay, without allowing anyone close enough to know if he’s really okay.”
Quinn swallowed. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I think he might be trying to do the same with me. He hasn’t been in contact since our date a couple of nights ago. I don’t think he’s interested.”
“Jess said he has heart eyes for you.” Peyton patted Quinn’s shoulder gently. “I know she’s only five, but Jess is more observant than most adults.”
“That’s the damn truth,” Charlie muttered.
“We’ll see tonight,” Wavy said. “With your hair all up in its bun and your pretty wrap dress...”
Violet, the gorgeous redhead, giggled. “You’re like a package he won’t be able to wait to open.”
“Speaking of packages, did you bring any leftover treats from the