I’m pushing the baby in the stroller out into the hallway that leads to the main living area when both Mrs. Felix and Gregory appear out of nowhere. Mrs. Felix is not in the old-fashioned foldable wheelchair I’m used to; rather she’s sitting in this zippy red powered wheelchair, and she’s making a beeline for me. At first I panic, because I have this paranoid idea that they know what I’ve done and they’ve come to tell me to leave.

Which they should. Oh. God. I suck. I deserve to be fired.

“Robin, darling. There you are. Oh, please let me have a look at that baby. I’ve missed seeing you these past days.”

“Of course. Hello. I’ve missed you, too.” I relax a little, because the sound of her voice is so bright, open and welcoming that I figure there’s no way they could know. “I was about to lap the baby around the pool so she could have some fresh air.”

“A wonderful idea. Maybe we’ll join you. Test out my new wheels. What do you think?” She spins expertly in a half-circle, then back.

“It’s the most gorgeous ride I’ve seen in a long time. About as nice as the fancy new stroller.”

I nod as Gregory smiles his own greeting. I try to return the smile, but my guilt makes me unable to look at either of them directly.

“How are things going?” Gregory asks.

“I— great.” I tuck the soft cashmere sweater I took from Royce’s closet around the baby’s head, hoping I won’t have to lie to them too much. “Today feels…long.”

“Any specific reason?” Mrs. Felix asks.

“I know the reason. Babies make every day feel long,” Gregory jokes, saving me from answering.

“Babies will do that to a person. No matter how adorable.” Mrs. Felix drives closer to the stroller. “I apologize that we’ve been so busy with attorneys and meetings that we’ve hardly had time to think about your schedule or to talk to you during your workdays, dear, but please know your calming, reliable presence is appreciated by all. We shall make amends for how exhausted you must feel.”

“Oh, thanks. Everyone’s been so nice.”

“I heard from Vere you’ve got a scholarship to Ridley on hold, no less. I’m a patron of that school. What a wonderful thing that you’re an artist.”

“I...just dabble,” I answer, staring at the stroller handles.

“That school doesn’t hand out scholarships to mere dabblers. Tsk. Tsk. Such a humble one, you are. One day, I hope you will show me some of your work? When you’re in residence there, you will find out that the school backs to the Orb Hotel, New York City. It’s my favorite residence. You shall have to stop by sometimes to say hello. Say you will.”

I feel the back of my neck heating at their scrutiny. “That’s what Vere said. One day when I’m there, of course I’ll come over, if you invite me,” I answer vaguely.

“Royce says you’ve set up the nursery so well.” Gregory steps up to also smile down at the baby. “Thank you for being so self-sufficient. They seem to adore you. Quite a feat, because that bunch never agrees on anything or anyone. As a group, they all do seem to agree that you are invaluable to us now, and that they adore you.”

“As do we,” finishes Mrs. Felix.

“It’s been an easy job.” I motion to the stroller. “Easy baby.”

“This attorney-hopping has done us no good.” Mrs. Felix shakes her head. “We still have nothing to go on. Nothing, and now Royce has announced to us a few minutes ago that the girl—the baby’s mother—has promised to show back up sometime this weekend. We’re supposed to be ready, whatever that means.” She half laughs. “So inconvenient of her to create such chaos. She’d better have a good explanation for this, that’s for sure.”

“The baby’s mom. The real mom?” I ask, feeling even worse than I did before. “That’s good. Is Royce sure it’s her?” My chest twists with worry then twists all over again with more guilt.

Oh, God. I need to get out of here before she shows up.

“We have no idea.” Gregory shakes his head. “Royce is going off one fan email that came through a few minutes ago. See, when the baby appeared, we alerted our publicity group that we would take back over our fan email and Instagram communications—something that’s usually handled by their firm. For days, Royce and Hunter have been staying up all night long while on their ‘baby shifts’ to read and answer each one. That’s why you haven’t seen Hunter at all, and why Royce, our resident control-freak, has been so strung out. He thinks he’s strong enough to pull double shifts, as does Adam. I had to lie to the PR people, saying that the guys were bored down here in Florida and wanted to reconnect with the fans by responding personally to all social media for a couple of weeks. Every day I make it sound like they’re having ‘such fun’, but of course none of this has been fun, as you well know.”

I laugh a little at that. “You must be relieved it’s almost over, then?”

Mrs. Felix almost rolls her eyes like a teenager. “Over? With us, nothing’s ever really over. A new plan is always just beginning, dear. Haven’t you learned that about us yet?” She laughs then. “You met all of us after the baby bomb dropped, so you must have a very skewed idea of who we are. Do you know I hardly ever cry? Yet I do believe, I cried on you that first day more than I’ve ever cried in my entire life in front of a stranger. And Adam…well, I heard about his unfortunate event with all of that vodka.”

“Crown Royal, Mother. That’s a whiskey.”

She pulls a face. “Either way, it’s terrible he runs off how he does. Like our Royce, Adam hardly drinks at all. And Hunter, he’s not one to hide in his room all the time, he’s actually very social, but he’s trying to stay on track with the songwriting as well as some of the other band business that no one else can do while we all fall apart and juggle the baby. Hunter’s probably the most exhausted by all of this. Poor Vere’s been left to her own devices, but she’s loved spending time with you. And then there’s Royce. Stomping around, grumbling and worrying over everyone.” She shakes her head. “Yes, what you must think of all of us.” She sighs, still smiling but suddenly she seems more tired than she should.

“I think you’re all wonderful. And I think chaos is kind of fun. I also think we should all look forward to meeting the baby’s mother, if in fact, it’s really her.” It’s the only honest thing I can think of to say to her. “What did the fan email say?”

She waves her hand in the air. “It said things like her apology. How she’s thankful to us all for keeping the baby safe and out of the press. How she’ll send an ETA as soon as she knows more about her arrival. That kind of stuff.”

Gregory nods. “It could be fake, or it could be someone fishing for a reply. It could also mean the hotel staff finally leaked there was a baby up here, and there is not a sick mom with the flu locked up in quarantine, who is also the baby’s mother in any of these rooms. It could be anyone and anything, or nothing at all. For now, the plan is not to reply. We shall simply wait to see if she will appear.”

“Which is why we came down to find you. Our plans change fast. In case this girl does not show up, we’d like to ask if you could possibly work this weekend? Work Saturday and Sunday, and maybe even come with us to the Friday night show for tomorrow? We think we’d like to have extra support in case things get hectic and we’d need an extra pair of hands, hands that the baby trusts to help out. We don’t know what to expect, so we want to all rally and have the whole family-unit together o keep the stress on the baby to a minimum.”

“Sure, only…tomorrow was my day off and it’s also my birthday.” I push-and-pull the stroller back and forth because the baby is stirring. “Mrs. Perino’s having a party for me, but it should be over early because my only friends here in Orlando are all under age ten.” I wink. “My little brother, Mrs. Perino’s two nieces, Anna and Julia, plus all of their little friends are coming over dressed up like princess-brides to celebrate with me. I could come right after it’s over.” I feel my cheeks fire because I told them all of that that. “The themed party was their idea, of course.”

“Of course, and how sweet.” Mrs. Felix’s laugh is delighted like she thinks it’s a perfect birthday party.

Loving her for not judging me, I tell her more, “It’s starting late afternoon. They’ve chosen a special gold ring shaped piñata which they found in The Lord of the Rings party section. They think it’s a really beautiful wedding ring, which will be the centerpiece to how they’re decorating the whole garden to look like it’s the setting of some fabulous glitter-dream-wedding.”

“Oh how adorable. I do love little girls at birthday parties.” Mrs. Felix claps her hands.

“Poor Angel and Sage.” I grin. “There will be twelve of us princesses and only the two of them to act as the handsome princes. It’s going to be so awkward.” I laugh, thinking of their impending torture.

Mrs. Felix laughs along with me. “As long as you think it will be over in time for the concert should we need you. I’d hate to ruin this amazing party.”

“It will be.”

“Can we also count on you for Saturday and Sunday all day, though? Just in case?”

“Of course.”

“You shall be compensated extra for going into the second week.” Gregory smiles, as I nod, wishing I had the courage to ask him to pay me now for the first week, even though it’s not quite over, so I can take the money, run out of here and never come back.

But…of course that’s not the adult way to handle all of what I just did.

And damn it, I’m going to be an adult going forward, even if it kills me.

“Our chauffeur tells us that you all live on a little farm? I’ve spoken about it some with Mrs. Perino. She says it’s beautiful,” Gregory says, shifting his feet like he’s uncomfortable. “When I spoke to Mrs. Perino to order more pastries today, she…uh…also invited us to your party. Would it be a terrible intrusion if we came?”

‘Oh. Sure.” I smile. “Only if you want to come. Please don’t feel obligated. Did you not hear the part where you’d have to dress up in costumes? You will be prince number three and expected to waltz. No slacking.”

Gregory looks even more uncomfortable as he says, “I’m not even going to lie, Robin. I’ve had such a crush on Mrs. Perino’s voice since the first time she and I spoke.” Suddenly he flushes. “So, if you think she and I could possibly hit it off, I…well…of course, I shouldn’t play anything forward, but do you think if I came to your party, I could convince her to go out with me? On a date? If so, then I’d dress up in any costume you tell me to and dance any dance you ordered.”

“Oh…wow. Yes! That’s so cute.” I bite back a small laugh and cover it with a bunch of encouraging nods, because Gregory looks more embarrassed than a middle school kid asking a girl to a dance. “You should come. You must come. I know you two will hit it off.”

He whispers, “Is she, I mean, do you think she might be a little too out of my league? Does she already have a boyfriend? She is European and an accomplished chef who speaks two languages while I’m only retired US Army. Tell me honestly, and tell me now if she’s going to shoot me down if I ask her out. Please.”

I take in Gregory’s suit, his salt-and-pepper hair, and his kind yet stoic face. “You’re both from different worlds, to be sure, but I think you’d match. You’re also right up there in the silver-fox category.”

“A silver-what?”

“That means you’re handsome, Gregory,” Mrs. Felix nods knowingly. “We shall wear our best costumes, Robin. And, thank you, dear. I’m actually really looking forward to this party now. I love dress-up parties.”

“You’re welcome.” I nod—tensing as I realize Royce has appeared at the end of the hallway. I wonder if he’s pausing to watch us, waiting for us to pass by, or maybe he’s only eavesdropping as usual. I become a mass of self-consciousness, all while my stomach half fills with butterflies and half lurches in alarm. In the meantime, my entire body decides I simply can’t go near him or speak to him right now. Not in front of Mrs. Felix, or Gregory. Not today, not tomorrow, just no. And with the baby’s mom coming back, maybe not ever again.

Panic sets in again, and I only want to be out of here, back in my cottage and hiding in my room.

So much for being an adult from this point forward.

Quickly, I turn my back on him so I don’t even have to see his silhouette staring us down. “Um. If you don’t mind, could I—request a favor in return? Can I go early today? As in, soon. Now even? And then maybe if it’s not too much to ask, I could take the day off tomorrow as well. It would be to make up for working Friday night and both Saturday and Sunday?”

“Oh. Yes. This makes perfect sense, as we don’t want to overwork you, dear.” Mrs. Felix’s eyes are latched onto my face. “I didn’t notice, but suddenly, you do look very tired, dear. What do you think, Gregory? Can we handle this afternoon and tomorrow without her?”

“Yes.” He’s scrolling through texts. “Vere has already responded that she will fill in, and I’ve already texted the limo driver to meet you at the side door so he can drive you home. How’s that?”

“Really?” I smile, turning back and panicking more because Royce seems to have moved closer.

“Oh. But wait. Gregory has something for you that Royce gave to us to hand over, but now I think we shall just keep it with us in case we need it.”

“Ah yes.” Gregory reaches into his pocket, pulls out the remote portion of the baby monitor, and hands it to me. “Apparently, you dropped it in his closet when he was lending you a sweater and his jacket for the baby?

He raises one brow up high and hands the remote unit to me. “He said your voice—talking to the baby—startled him. Said once he found the thing, he couldn’t stop listening to you, because you’re so funny and interactive with the baby. He said you have whole one-sided conversations with our little bundle. Would have liked to hear some of that,” Gregory laughs, unaware that I’m flipping out because this means Royce overheard everything I said after that kiss.

“Why would the baby need Royce’s jacket?” Mrs. Felix is asking, but I can hardly hear her over the pulsing in my temples.

“Um. See?” I pull the jacket sleeve out from where I’d tucked it next to the baby’s cheek and hold it up for them to see. “Because Royce is so busy, I—we—thought his clothing would be good to keep near the baby for when he can’t hold her. So she could smell him. And…”

“And you mean when Royce is busy ignoring her and being a negligent and terrible father the baby might not notice her father is missing?”

I nod.

“Don’t think I don’t know what’s been going on these past days.” She frowns. “Vere keeps me informed of everything.” Mrs. Felix sighs. “But maybe lending his beloved jacket to you means that he’s finally coming around?”

I nod again acting a little like I’m agreeing, but manage not to scream out: No—he sucks even worse than he sucked yesterday, and now I’ve joined him on the road to hell. No wonder he’s standing there watching us have this conversation. He’s sent his own grandmother to secretly torment me for his private entertainment.

Yep. I hate him more. Just like he said I should.

More. More. More!

I shake my head and hand the remote back to Gregory while I say with utter politeness, “Please tell him I’m so sorry.” Forcing a grin while biting down on my cheeks hard, I make a break for the elevator that just opened to let in the dinner chef and his crew. “And thanks for the day off.”

Mrs. Felix, surprised by my hasty exit, calls after me. “Wonderful. We’ll shall all see you at your party, Friday then?”

Because I’m so far into overdrive with Royce’s staring me down and my inner voice shouting ‘run’ inside my head, I don’t know how I make it inside the elevator. I’m pushing the L to go down as well as the ‘close-doors’ buttons as hard as I can. “Yes. Party. Everyone’s invited. See you there.”

Mrs. Felix calls after me again, “Wait. I wanted to ask about what present you would like.”

“Not necessary. Please. Nothing,” I call through the last few inches of elevator doors as they slide shut.

It’s not until I’m in the limousine and halfway home that my breathing calms enough for me to be aware of my surroundings, which is when I realize I’ve left my purse and Sage’s signed ‘Concert Ball’ with the Berlin concert on it back in the baby’s room.

I sigh, annoyed, because I’ve also left the Guarderobe cell phone there as well, which means I can’t even text Vere to please give it all to Mrs. Felix to bring when they come to the party.