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“Sorry?” Spencer asked, looking confused. She held out her handanyway. “Nice to meet you.”

Larry didn’t budge. Instead he eyed Spencer like one would a peskyfly. “I certainly do not need to make preparations. I did that last week andthe week prior to that.”

“Okay,” Hadley said, doing her best to pacify him and stillcapitalize on this opportunity to spend time with Spencer, even if it was inbetween diaper changes and feedings. “Spencer can back us up, then.” She turnedto Spencer for approval.

“I’m an excellent backup babysitter.”

“I’ve never heard of a backup babysitter,” Larry saidsuspiciously. “It feels made up.”

“It is made up,” Stephanie, their all-black-wearing neighbor said,as she crossed behind them through the courtyard.

Hadley ignored her. “We’re all constantly learning, aren’t we,Larry? Just today I learned that escape pods shouldn’t accommodate more thanone person, as the air supply will grow dangerously low. Shall we?”

With Hadley leading the way, the three of them made their way toAutumn and Kate’s doorstep. When Kate answered, she studied their three faces.“Hi, Had. Larry.” She paused when she came to Spencer. “I don’t think we’vemet. Kate Carpenter.”

“Spencer Adair. I’m the babysitting backup.”

“Great. Nice to meet you,” Kate said, with mild hesitation,because of course she’d be wary of leaving her children with a completestranger.

“I can vouch for Spencer,” Hadley said. “She’s to be trusted.”

Kate relaxed. “The more the merrier, then. These babies could usethe backup, if you ask me. They take turns wreaking havoc. Currently, Will’s upto bat.”

“You just hand that little numbskull over to me,” Hadley said,eager to get her hands on him. “Did you get the newsboy cap I had shipped?”

“He wore it all day yesterday,” Kate said. “You’re spoiling themrotten.”

“Did I hear the name Spencer?” Autumn’s voice said excitedly, fromsomewhere in the apartment.

“You guys should come in,” Kate said, as if forgetting herself.

Moments later Autumn appeared in the living room looking as happyas a bride on her wedding day. She was going out on an actual date and gettingto lay eyes on the much-talked-about Spencer, something she’d been asking to dofor days now. It was like her version of Christmas morning, and she glowed.“Hi, Spencer! I’m Autumn from the coffee shop next door.”

“Big fan of yours, then,” Spencer said. “Killer brew.”

Autumn studied her. “Oh, yes. You’re very cute. Just as Iremembered.”

“Autumn,” Hadley said, quietly and gave her head a subtle shake.

“I’m sorry, but she is. Youare,”she said, turning back to Spencer.

“Ms. Primm-Carpenter, we’re here to babysit the little ones,”Larry said, in an authoritative voice—surely his way of getting them back ontrack and off the subject of Spencer’s good looks.

“So, no Gia-Pet tonight?” Autumn asked.

“She’s down for the count with a cold?/?flu thing. I’ll check onher later, but I thought it best she not be around the babies. Larryvolunteered to sub in and we ran into Spencer unexpectedly in the courtyard.”

Spencer winced. “I’m crashing.”

“You are most certainly not,” Autumn said, forcefully, takingSpencer by the arm and ushering her to the couch. “Please make yourself at homeand eat all the food you find. Oh!” She scooped up Carrie from the baby swingand handed her to Spencer. “Meet Carrie. She’s our favorite this hour. Itrotates.”

Spencer smiled down at tiny Carrie, who stared up at her withsleepy eyes. The image of the two of them about melted Hadley’s heart into apile of wonderful goo.

“Hi, baby girl,” Spencer said in a low voice, and rocked hersoftly.

“You know where everything is, yes?” Autumn asked Hadley.

“I do! We got this. You two crazy kids get outta here and have amuch-needed fun night out.”