Page 29 of Spies Don’t Fall for Their Best Friend

We all look out at what feels like acres of baby items. It blows my mind that there are enough baby things to fill a store this big.

Livi already has the store’s app open, and Zoe scoots in close to study the store’s layout. As she’s pointing at different things, she says, “Entrance. Emergency exits. Bathrooms. Baby gadgets.”

Charlie is holding back a smile as she says, “We’re not trying to case the joint.”

Zoe looks up and mumbles. “Sorry. Old habits.”

Old habits? Zoe works as a corporate investigator. Something to do with internal fraud and workplace misconduct. When we all head off toward the nursery section, I get into step with Charlie and lean in to ask, “Did Zoe used to be a thief or something?”

She laughs quietly. “No. Her job just used to involve a lot more… on-site investigations and situational awareness.”

I only vaguely understand what Zoe’s profession even is. I just nod.

We head off toward the baby clothes first, because what’s more fun than looking at miniature versions of pajamas and sundresses and swimsuits?

Mackenzie gasps when we reach a rack of little zippered footies on tiny hangers. “I love when the little feet part sticks straight out like this! How are babies’ feet just the cutest?”

They must be, because I found some pink and red Nikes that look like they might fit a newborn. The fluttering at taking in the cuteness lasts about four seconds before it starts to hurt, and I turn away. Mackenzie finds quite a few things to scan for her registry before we move on to comparing diaper bags, pushing around a bunch of different strollers, and then marveling (and laughing at) so many of the baby gadgets.

Charlie holds up a box. “Check this out—it’s a warmer for baby wipes!”

I lean in to look at it. “Oof. A sixty-dollar warmer for wipes. Who knew babies were so expensive?”

Zoe takes one look at it and shrugs. “Cold wipes build character.”

“This is a white noise machine,” Mackenzie says as she picks up a box. “It’ll probably come in handy, because then the baby won’t wake up from a nap every time you vacuum.” She reads the box for a moment, then says, “Huh. One of the sounds is a vacuum. And a hair dryer?! Who even discovered using a hair dryer would help a baby sleep? Was I supposed to know this? Did you guys know this?”

I shake my head. “I didn’t even know that diaper cream applicator spatulas and shopping cart hammocks were a thing until this moment.”

Livi is just looking at Mackenzie, smiling. “Ahh. I think this might be the expression of a woman who just realized that she might not know as much as she thought she knew about taking care of babies.”

Mackenzie sets the box back on the shelf and scans its code to add it to her registry. “I help with my little niece so much I thought I would be a pro. I’m going to fail at this, aren’t I?”

“I think that’s probably normal,” Charlie says as she pulls out her phone, typing a text. “I’m pretty sure every parent hits this stage and worries they’re going to fail at it.”

“So, it’s going to get better then?”

Charlie looks at her phone as a text response comes in. “My mom says she hasn’t stopped worrying that she’s going to fail at it yet, but she’s sure it’ll pass before too much longer.”

I chuckle as Mackenzie’s eyes go comically wide. Then I pull out my own phone when I feel the buzz of a text.

Miles: How is shopping going?

Reese: Hypothetically…

How many stuffed bees is too many stuffed bees?

You know. For Jace and Mackenzie’s baby.

Miles: Hypothetically? Three.

Reese: …

Miles: How many have you found?

Reese: That’s not important right now.

But they are adorable, and I am definitely coming back to get them before the shower. Every baby should have some stuffed bees in his or her nursery.