“The Wicked Witch of Moose Village,” I replied back before plastering on a smile and heading toward them.
“Rora!” Winnie called as I made my way over and bent down to catch her.
I squeezed her, then leaned back to look at her. “It’s so nice to see you, sweetheart!”
Glancing up at Kim, I said, “Storytime was at four, you guys just missed it.”
Her smile was tight. “Winnie wouldn’t stop throwing a fit until we entered the bookstore.”
“A fit?” I asked. “I’ve never known her to throw a fit.”
One brow rose like how dare I suggest Kim was lying. “Maybe you don’t know her as well as you think.”
I stood and took Winnie’s hand. “I know her better than you, Kim. I’ve never seen this child throw a fit of any kind.”
“We getting ice dream!”
“Cream. Not dream, Winnie. IceCream.”
“Whoa, slow down there, Cruella de Vil,” Lou said as she walked up. I nearly choked when I noticed Kim was wearing black leather pants and a black and white shirt with a weird high collar. She looked like she was ready to step out onto a catwalk.
Lou went on, despite the displeased look Kim was giving her. “She’s like what, not even three yet. I highly doubt you were barking orders in perfect sentences at three.”
I cleared my throat when Kim looked like she was about to slap my sister. “Would you like me to watch Winnie while you shop?”
Kim’s head snapped back to me. “Shop? What makes you think I want to shop?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“You got a date tonight after your stint as a nanny?” Lou asked, motioning to Kim’s outfit.
Kim attempted to smile, but the effect was a snarled lip. “As a matter of fact, I do have plans…with Liam.”
I instantly felt a rush of unwanted jealousy rip through my entire body. Damn my friends for getting me to admit I liked Liam. “What? Who is going to watch Winnie?” I asked.
“You’re going on a date with your boss? That doesn’t seem very smart,” Lou added as she folded her arms over her chest and glared at Kim.
Kim ignored both of us and looked at Winnie. “Okay, you’ve seen Aunty Aurora, let’s go get your ice cream.”
“Aunty Aurora?” I asked, still holding onto Winnie’s hand.
“Come along, Winnie.”
Winnie buried herself closer to me and turned her head into my leg. “No. Stay with Rora.”
“It is Ah-rora. Not Rora.”
I gently moved Winnie to my back. “You need to take a few steps away, Kim.”
Her mouth fell open. “How dare you? I’m her nanny. Let her go so we can get her ice cream.”
“Not with you acting like a royal bitch will I let her go.”
Kim slowly shook her head as she folded her arms over her chest in the same manner as Lou had. I saw my sister drop her arms to her sides. “I see what Liam was talking about.”
Confused, I asked, “What do you mean?”
“You areso desperateto take over Hope’s place…and now mine.”
