“Aw, man.”
Reggie parroted, “Aw, man.”
Maggie shook her finger at him. “No nonsense from you, mister.”
“Just kidding. I love salad. I can’t wait to eat with the two smartest ladies in the city. Emily was telling me all about the solar system. I had no idea about superclusters and voids.” He sounded impressed.
“Yes, we watched that on TV the other day, didn’t we?”
“And then I got a book at the library about it too.” Emily nodded. “I like space.”
“I like having smart friends.”
Emily gave him a shy smile.
Maggie’s heart melted, and she worked to keep things casual and not stare at Reggie as if she wanted to kiss him senseless.
Reggie took the spot next to Emily without having to be directed. She looked to be in heaven as she glanced from Reggie to the food.
Reggie grinned. “A feast for a princess and her super ninja.” He glanced at Maggie. “And queen mother. Time to chow down.”
“Chow down,” Emily repeated, enthused.
While they ate some ridiculously delicious pizza and a lovely salad, Reggie kept sneaking peeks at Maggie, who snuck them right back. Emily, fortunately, didn’t see a thing, focused on recounting the details of her entire sleepover to Reggie and Frank, who sat at her side on the floor, desperately hoping for a stray crust to land by him.
“And then Sherry laughed so hard, milk came out of her nose. And it was funny, but also gross.”
“Emily.”
Reggie coughed, having been drinking.
“You know, root beer has bubbles. I bet bubbles would tickle.” She looked intrigued. “Are bubbles coming out your nose?”
“Ah, not yet.” Reggie caught his breath. “I’m good. Thanks.”
Maggie chewed her pizza, doing her best not to laugh.
“Sherry’s brother got mad and cried a lot, because he wanted to play with us.”
“Really?” Maggie asked. “Because Sherry’s brother is four months old.”
“I could tell. He likes Barbie’s dream house. I just like her car because we use it to drive to Emily Land.”
“That sounds like a neat place,” Reggie said and winked at Maggie. “Emily Land, huh? What’s that like?”
Emily explained, in detail, about her magical land where everyone and everything bowed to the great and powerful Emily. “And everyone shares, because then we don’t fight. Right, Mommy?”
“I think that sounds perfect. I want to live there.”
“But I’m in charge. I’m the queen,” Emily insisted. “Brownie is my protector. Reggie, you should come too.”
“Okay. I will. But maybe not now, because I’m still hungry.”
“You eat a lot.” Emily stared at his plate, full of crusts.
“Emily, be nice.” Maggie gave her daughter a look.
“But he had four pieces.”
