“How friendly,” Fiona said, but it was in the tone of “there must be more to this.” Which was a valid tone as Audrey wasn’t in the habit of accompanying next-door neighbors in New York to babysit.

“I’m a friendly guy. You did tell me that the Upper West Side was a neighborly place,” Jake said. He took the thermal pack from Fiona and added it to the Trader Joe’s bag.

“So, I did. Are you happy you moved?” Fiona asked.

Jake nodded. “Very. It’s easier to keep on good terms with Veronika if we’re not running into each other all the time.”

“I imagine it’s a little harder for her to show up suddenly on the West Side.”

“I thought you liked her,” Jake said.

Fiona shrugged. “It was hard to get a read on her. She was good with kids, but so nervous around Biscuit. She seemed high maintenance—with all those outfits, although she did inspire me to think that I should vary my wardrobe from yoga pants and scrubs.” Fiona paused. “And she was so physical with you—always clinging to you and petting you.”

Note to self: Do not pet Jake—not that she would.

“Petting?” Jake asked.

“Petting,” Fiona said. “And she didn’t seem to have much of a sense of humor.”

“Don’t hold back now,” Jake said, looking embarrassed. Audrey felt bad for him.

“Luna said she liked your friend the other day,” Fiona said.

“Penny?” Jake asked.

“Oh, Penny. She has bright blue hair now?” Fiona asked.

“At the moment.” Jake smiled. “I didn’t know you were training Luna to be a spy.”

“I’m not. She came home wanting blue hair,” Fiona said.

“You and Penny both seem to think I can’t be happily single,” Jake said.

Happily single. She felt a pang. She was hoping he wanted to date her, but she couldn’t date anyway, so this was better. Just keep telling yourself that. She’d probably lost her chance after she’d left their dinner abruptly.

“It’s not your usual modus operandi,” Fiona remarked as she loaded the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher.

“Work’s really busy for me right now,” Jake said.

“Of course.” Fiona patted his arm. “Too close a call with Veronika?”

Jake winced. “Are you a doctor or a psychologist?”

“I took a psychology course.”

“Apparently it wasn’t Freudian.”

Audrey swallowed a chuckle.

Fiona zipped the bag shut. “Finally, ready. I just need the diapers. Oh no, it smells like he made another poop. It’s hard to talk when you’ve got to hustle kids out the door in the morning—you start talking and lose all track of time.”