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“I know, but I invited Phoebe and Chance without checking with you guys. I wasn’t thinking.” The moment I pulled onto the highway, I called to tell them, and then I bought all this extra stuff, though I still feel a little guilty.
“It’s not a big deal, Isaac,” Kyler calls from the grill, where she’s finishing up the last batch of meat. “After all, you’re moving in, remember? You can invite people to your home.”
“I haven’t even said yes yet.” I chuckle.
Quinn stirs at the sound. She’s in the baby-wearing thing Ashley picked out, and it’s my first time wearing it, but I have to admit it’s handy. She’s here and safe with me, and I can move around and help set things up.
“But you will,” Ashley says confidently, leaning back in her lounge chair. For giving birth a little over a week ago, she’s getting around really well, but we’re trying to make her life as easy as possible. The more she mentions me moving in, the more I think I should. Maybe she needs more support than we’re giving her.
I’m about to open my mouth and tell them I’ll do it, just to let me give my sister notice since I’m helping her out with her rent, but then the gate creaks open, and I glance over to see Phoebe peek around the door. I texted her that we’d be in the backyard, but she seems nervous, so I make my way down the patio steps, holding Quinn carefully to make sure this contraption doesn’t fail.
“Hey, you made it.” I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face at the sight of her. She’s in a different sundress now, and her hair’s flowing over her shoulders instead of piled on top of her head. She steps to the side to let Chance in.
“Hey, Chance. Good to see you again.” I nod at him, but his eyes are locked on Quinn.
“You have a baby?” he whispers, as if he’s afraid he’ll wake her.
“I do. This is Quinn.” I turn to the side a bit so he can get a good look at her face. “She’s a fan of naps and bottles right now, but she’ll get more social soon,” I joke.
“You know naps deserve appreciation.” Phoebe jokes.
Kyler comes up beside me, grazing her finger on Quinn’s forehead before greeting our guests. “She’s also a fan of Isaac’s terrible singing.”
“Hey now, hey.” I wince good-naturedly.
“I’m Kyler.” She offers her hand to Phoebe, then Chance. “I’m Quinn’s mama. Nice to meet you, Chance.” She nods at Phoebe. “Sorry we didn’t get a chance to talk more at the hospital.”
“Well, you guys were a little busy,” Phoebe says, and we all walk over to the patio and spread out on the chairs.
Ashley greets Phoebe with a smile, and Chance is staring at the pool eagerly.
“Go ahead and jump in,” I offer, then add hurriedly, “If your mom doesn’t mind.”
“Not at all,” Phoebe says.
Chance takes off at a run and jumps into the deep end, the splash not quite reaching us, thankfully.
Quinn slowly wakes up and begins rooting around on my chest. Ashley spots her movements and climbs out of her chair. “Let me take the little princess in for her dinner.”
“I’ll help you,” Kyler offers, and they unbuckle the baby and Kyler carries her in.
“Well, their food will be cold,” I point out, turning to Phoebe. “We can go ahead and eat if you want.”
Phoebe shifts in her chair, and she winces as she moves. “We can wait on them. Either way is fine with me.”
“Is the chair scratching you, or…?” I stop short as she shifts and her shoulders and the part of her back exposed by the dress are fully visible. She’s covered in an ugly red rash.
“Oh my god.” My mouth stays open. “What happened? What—”
“So apparently I found an ant hill while I was working in the yard today.” She glances at Chance pointedly before looking back at me. “They were just black ants, luckily. I called the Ask A Nurse hotline, and they said the bites should clear up within a day.”
“You need to put something on them.”
“I’ve had some ibuprofen and put lotion on them.”
“I’m so sorry.” I hold her gaze in an attempt to convey my apologies without talking about the situation today.
“I’m not,” she whispers, flashing me a grin. “Now let’s eat. I’m starving. Chance, you hungry?” she calls over the water, and Chance shakes his head no before splashing around in the water more.
