“Wow. A supermodel and a professional athlete of multiple sports. I guess that explains why you’re so dressed up,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady because it was hard not to laugh. “This is a pretty big date.”
“Yep. He’ll be over later, so I just stopped by to go over this design with you, Harps. Then I’ll go make a romantic dinner for my Canadian soccer/basketball player.”
“He plays professional soccerandprofessional basketball. That’s quite a catch. And he’s here in Blushing, Alaska, huh?” I asked, using my napkin to cover my mouth and hide my smile.
“Yep. Just here on some fancy athlete modeling trip.” She took a bite of her cornbread and smiled.
She moved her attention to my daughter and flipped open her notebook.
“I love it. Look at all the balloons!” Harper squealed over a mouthful of soup.
“Harps, manners,” I said.
“Daddy, pink balloons.”
I had to laugh, because my little girl owned me, and she knew it.
“So, I thought we could go with three shades of pink and then some pops of gold.” Violet sketched out some sort of crown as Harper watched intently. “I ordered a few large gold crowns that she wears inPinkalicious. And then we can do the number seven as well and just have a massive balloon arch to take photos in front of.”
“This is going to be the best party ever. I don’t know if Caroline should come because there will be lots of kids here and the big balloon swaggy. Do you think she’s going to come, Daddy?”
My shoulders tensed. I hadn’t heard jack shit from Caroline, but she usually just showed up around Harper’s birthday. She used to check in every couple of months, but that hadn’t happened in the last few years.
I scratched the back of my neck. “I haven’t spoken to her, Harps.”
Violet’s eyes bounced between us as if she was trying to figure out why I wasn’t saying more. “Well, she’d be a real fool to miss this party because I happen to have a warehouse full of pink goodness, and I’m pulling out all the stops for you, Harps.”
“You’re pulling out all the spots!”
“‘Stops,’” Violet said, giggling. “Meaning every kid in Blushing is going to want to have a party just like Harper Huxley.”
Harper fist-pumped the sky. “Even Denise Quigley is going to wish for a party like my Pinkalicious party.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Violet said, leaning back in her chair and smiling.
“I think the balloon swag and the food and cake are plenty. You don’t need to go overboard,” I said, reaching for my beer and taking a pull.
“I’m a wedding planner, Charles. I always go overboard. And we’ve upgraded the balloon swag to an arch. Swags are lame. This is the big leagues.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table as her gaze locked with mine. “I like to go all the way.”
Fuck me.
I was a horny bastard, and she knew what she was doing to me.
“Do you mean you like to go all out?” I corrected her, and she had a wicked grin on her face but she didn’t respond.
“I’m so excited. And you’re going to stay the whole time at the party, right, Vi?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Violet said. “I just need to know if you want me to add any unicorns or glitter to the theme, because you mentioned those last week.”
“Anything pink and sparkly, right, Daddy?” My little girl smiled up at me, and it took my fucking breath away.
“Anything pink and sparkly, baby girl.” I pushed to my feet just as Violet stood and started clearing the dishes.
“Thank you, Vi. I can’t wait for everyone at school to see the Pinkalicious goodness! Are you going to bring your special friend Daveed with you to my party?”
I chuckled as I stood at the sink before glancing over my shoulder at Violet. “Yeah, maybe he can sign soccer balls and basketballs during the party?”
“Unfortunately, Daveed Beckart has to get back for some big games over the weekend. He’s leaving right after our date.” She wiped downthe table, and it took me a minute to realize how comfortable the three of us had gotten with our routine.
