“Thanks for the lift,” I say to Zander as I climb from his car. The cooler night air falls around me and I stretch out, my mind running a million miles an hour after coffee with Shari. Although coffee didn’t happen. She texted me, said to meet her at her favorite club, and eventually conversation turned into her hands all over me.

“Talk to your dad. See what he has to say,” Zander says before I shut the door.

“I will.” I close the door quietly, not wanting to wake anyone in the neighborhood, and stand back to glance at my house.

The lights are off, all except the front porch. A warm glow falls over the steps and walkway, guiding me to my front door, and that brings a smile to my face. Quinn left the light on for me. It shouldn’t surprise me. She’s the most giving, caring woman I know, and I should have kicked Shari for being so fucking rude to her. I push down the anger and pull my keys from my pocket. Zander takes off as I make my way inside.

The house is quiet. Just like old times. I laugh at that. Here I used to cherish my bachelorhood, and never gave much thought to settling down. But I suddenly don’t like the stillness of the house. I make my way upstairs, walking quietly so I don’t wake my girls. My bedroom door is open slightly, and I step inside.

I check on Daisy first, press my hand to her forehead. She’s much cooler than she was earlier. Maybe Quinn was right and she’s teething.

I glance at my bed, and sensations well up inside me, curl around my heart, when I find Quinn there, fast asleep. If I had to put a name to what I’m feeling, I’d have to call it want, need…love.

Love?

Is it possible that I’m falling in love with my best friend’s kid sister? Not a smart move on my part, that’s for fucking sure.

I make quick work of my clothes and slide into the bed. Quinn stirs beside me, and I shimmy closer until I’m spooning her. Her body is warm from sleep, and her fresh scent swirls around me. I put one hand on her hip and hold her to me.

As I lay there, my mind and body tired after dealing with Shari, my thoughts drift. Zander is right. I do need to call my father. I’m sure, after the stunt Shari just pulled, and her threatening to lawyer up to keep Daisy away from me if I don’t follow her demands, he’ll change his tune on what’s right and what isn’t.

My mind races back to the gut-wrenching story Quinn told me about her mother. It must have been hard for her to open up to me like that. But I get she was trying to make a point, save Daisy from a hard future. The thing is, I’m not Quinn’s mother, but how can I take care of a child if I’m on the road all the time? Everyone keeps telling me hockey is the most important thing in the world to me. Would I grow to regret the responsibility? Am I that fucking shallow?

My thoughts fall off and the next thing I know, I’m in bed alone. I sit up, rub the blur from my eyes and check Daisy’s crib. She’s not in it. I kick off the covers and tug on a pair of jeans. From downstairs, I hear a kid’s movie with lots of music playing in the background. After a quick trip to the bathroom, I make my way down, find Daisy in Quinn’s arms as they dance around the living room.

Right then and there, my heart swells in my chest, and it’s almost difficult to breathe. I grab the banister, squeeze my hand around it. Fuck. Shit. And Damn.

This…this is the family I want.

Quinn squeals and lets out an embarrassed laugh when she turns and finds me standing there.

“Good morning,” I say.

“I really am getting you a bell.” Pink spreads across her cheeks as Daisy giggles up at her. “Did we wake you?”

I shake my head. “Did Daisy just laugh.”

A smile lights up Quinn’s face. “She did. They usually start laughing around four months. I thought she would have done it long before now, actually.”

“Shit.”

“What?”

“I don’t even know when her birthday is. She could be five months now and I wouldn’t even know it.”

“We should get her in for a checkup. We need to find out who her doctor is, and see if she’s all up to date with her immunizations.”

I nod. Another conversation with Shari that I’m not looking forward too. “Don’t you have to be at work?”

“I took the next couple of days off. I thought you might need me here if Shari comes around like that again.”

“I need to call my dad.”

“Good idea.”

I grab my phone from my back pocket and pull up Dad’s contact. I’m guessing he’d be at his office already so I call that number. It rings twice, and his receptionist picks up. I tell her who I am, and she transfers me through right away.

Quinn turns the television down and takes Daisy into the kitchen to give me privacy. Dad answers, and I explain everything to him.

He goes quiet for a long time.

“You still there?” I finally ask.

“It’s not a good situation for you, son, especially with you being on the road, and the courts do favor the mother.”

I rest my elbows on my knees and exhale. “What can I do? I can’t let her get full custody.”

“There is one thing that could help you.”

“What? Anything?”

“If you can prove you’re a family man and have Daisy’s best interests at heart.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“By getting married?”

I briefly pinch my eyes shut, trying to decipher what he’s saying. “I told you, I can’t marry her. I don’t love her, and after the stunt she just pulled, I’m not even sure I want her around my daughter.”

Just then, Quinn steps into the room, and her eyes are wide. I shake my head at her, at a loss.

“Son, I’m not suggesting you marry her. I was suggesting you marry someone else.”

“Marry someone else?” I ask. “Like who?” Quinn walks across the room, and Daisy grabs her hair and giggles. Quinn winces and very carefully removes Daisy’s hand from her hair as they head upstairs.

“What about Quinn?”

Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “You think I should marry Quinn?”

Quinn stops halfway up the stairs and slowly turns around. As if her legs are about to give out on her, she sinks down, sits on the step. Our eyes meet, and lock.

“It’s like this. It doesn’t have to be a real marriage, just one for show. You two go way back. She’s a nice girl, works at a daycare. How much better could it be?”

“I can’t ask Quinn to do something like that. She has a life of her own. She’s done enough for us as it is.”

“Then make her an offer she can’t refuse. If you can prove to the courts you’re a stable family man, with someone to care for Daisy when you’re on the road, they’re more likely to rule in your favor. You might not get full custody, but you should get shared.”

I shake my head, hardly able to believe what my Dad is suggesting. It might look good to the courts, but no way in hell would a girl, not interested in a family of her own, agree to marry a man with a child.

“Just think about it, son. You could have a quick ceremony at city hall, and once things are settled, you could get an annulment.”

“Do you think that’s the right thing for Daisy, though?” I ask. “What about when I’m on the road, who’s going to take care of her?”

“Your mother and I have discussed that, and she will.”

My head rears back, surprised. “Daisy’s not Mom’s responsibility, she’s mine.”

“Then she’ll care for her until you find yourself a real wife, someone who will love and care for Daisy as much as you.”

“I have to go,” I say, and slide my finger across the screen to end the call.

I look up again, and my eyes land on Quinn. As I take her in, see the way she cares for Daisy, I realize I’ve already found that woman. If only she felt the same way about me. Her brother would rip off my left nut, but I’m pretty sure I can live without one.

I open my mouth to speak, but she holds her hand up to cut me off. Not that I blame her. I think the idea of a fake marriage is insane, too. Especially when it’s a real one I want.

“I’ll do it,” she says.