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Chapter one

Finn

“Sshh, it’s okay, Ro,” I soothe my niece as she exercises her lungs, wailing while we wait for her milk to cool.

She’s so tiny in my arms. I mean, she’s only about five months old, so that checks out.

I’ve spent almost every other day with her and my twin sister—oh, and her boyfriend—since I’ve been back from Australia.

Don’t think about that.

I focus on the baby girl in my arms instead of the career that I once loved.

I focus on the scent that Daphne and Hudson swear is the best smell in the world, and it grounds me.

I get it, the whole baby thing. I never considered myself that paternal, but Rosie has stolen my heart in a big way, and I’m not even pretending I’m not head over heels for this little one.

Maybe it’s because she doesn’t ask questions.

She doesn’t care what I left behind. And right now, I need that more than I want to admit.

Hence why I’m the one heating up breast milk for her instead of her mom. I’m their self-appointed nanny when Hudson and Daphne are in class, like right now. The hours aren’t bad, the company is cute, and it’s perfect for avoiding the shit I’d rather not deal with.

My phone blares an obnoxious ringtone that I can’t be bothered to change.

Rosie has stopped crying just long enough for me to put her in the bassinet, grab her bottle, test it, pick her back up, and swipe my phone to answer my sister.

Multitasking is absolutely getting added to my resume after this.

Daphne’s face fills the screen, so much like mine, light eyes, blonde hair, except I’m obviously better looking. Her brow furrows as she searches for the person she really called to see.

“Oh good, she’s having her milk. I was calling to—”

“Check on me. Again.” I roll my eyes. “Daph, you need to chill. I’ve got this shit down. Rosie and I have been hanging out all summer.”

“Yeah, I know, I just… I miss her.” Her eyes well up, and I know this has been a tough decision—going back to school, leaving Rosie even for a few hours, but she had too much to return for.

She landed a regular spot running social media for the school’s sports teams, and she’s got a TA position now. No way was she going to miss out.

“Aw, Daph, don’t cry.” I sigh. “You’re out there being a badass. Rosie’s cheering you on. Go do it.”

She sniffs, wipes her cheeks, and steels herself. “You’re right. Give her extra cuddles from me? I’ll be back at lunch.”

“I will.” I glance down at Rosie’s tiny button nose, her impossibly soft, rosy cheeks. “You made the cutest kid, Daph.”

“DAPHNE!” a male voice calls out from her end of the call.

She spins around, her whole face lighting up before going all gooey. Yeah. I know exactly who that is. Two seconds later, Rosie and I are getting a front-row seat to her parents making out on-screen.

“Uh, guys? PG content, please. There’s a baby here,” I remind them.

“Oh, shit,” Hudson curses, eyes wide, then immediately slaps a hand over his mouth. “Sorry, uh, not shit. Rosie, don’t listen to Daddy.”

Daphne rolls her eyes right before Hudson snatches the phone completely.

“How’s my favorite person?”

“I’m kinda hungry. Your healthy snacks suck ass. I’m also a little tired, but mostly good.”

Hudson laughs. “Yeah, yeah. I meant her, dumbass.”

“Rude,” I mutter, shifting Rosie a little as she greedily sucks down her bottle. “She’s good. Ate, cried, passed judgment on the world with those big, beautiful eyes. Just another day being the most powerful person in this household.”

Hudson grins like an idiot. “That’s my girl.”

Rosie lets out a little satisfied sigh, and I swear I can see Hudson physically melt through the screen.

“You’re such a sap,” I tell him.

“No shit,” he agrees easily, still staring at his daughter like she hung the damn moon. “But for real, you’re enjoying the babysitting gig?”

I narrow my eyes. “I prefer ‘nanny.’ It gives me purpose.”

“Oh, my bad. How’s nannying going?”

“Got peed on earlier. That was a fun surprise.”

Hudson barks out a laugh. “Welcome to the club, bro.”

“Yeah, I’ll pass on the membership card.” I shift Rosie in my arms again, as she glugs the last of her milk, glancing at the clock. “I might need to head to the store before you guys are back. I need food that isn’t made of sad vegetables.”

Daphne chuckles in the background. “Can vegetables be sad?”

“They can,” I shoot back. “That fridge is a graveyard of health. Where’s the good stuff? The chips? The leftover pizza?”

“We have hummus,” she offers weakly.

I stare at her. “Did you just say that to me with a straight face?”

Hudson’s trying—and failing—not to laugh when Daphne relents. “Fine. I’ll grab something on the way back. What do you want?”

“Anything that doesn’t taste like disappointment.”

“I’ll take that as a burger and fries,” she says dryly.

“A big-ass burger and fries.”

Daphne salutes me through the screen. “Got it. Alright, we gotta go before Hudson misses his next class and flunks his test today.”

“Excuse you.” Hudson scoffs. “I am a great student.”

Daphne pats his cheek. “I know, baby.”

I roll my eyes at the two of them. “Study real hard, guys. Focus and do whatever it is you do over there.”

“Goodbye, Rosie girl. Bye, Finny boy,” Daphne says before the screen goes black.

Shaking my head, I toss my phone onto the couch. Rosie’s done with her bottle, her tiny fingers curled into my shirt, her breathing slowing.

“Just you and me, kid,” I murmur, shifting her to my shoulder to burp her. “Guess we should find something to do while we wait for the parental unit to return.”

Rosie doesn’t answer, obviously, but she lets out a surprisingly loud burp.

“Atta girl.”

I grin as I stand, bouncing her gently as I make my way to put her bottle in the sink. I might not know what the hell I’m doing with my life, but for now? This, Rosie, lazy mornings, avoiding my problems, isn’t the worst way to pass the time.

Even if I have to suffer through a vegetable-based household.