“As he should,”her dragon declared.“We are gorgeous, and we’re smart. We’re also trustworthy. He’d be an idiot not to want us as a friend. We are Sasha, The Lionhearted!”
Sasha grinned and rose, ready to work in the kitchen.
“There’s no reason not to accept the truth because we are beautiful and a catch. Why do you think Bruceous is chasing us so hard?”
As always, her conceited dragon had the last word. Sasha wasn’t about to argue over Bruceous’s intentions and spoil her buoyantmood.
6 – A Family Date
Sasha’s first day with Noel set the pattern for the rest of the week. When Noel wasn’t at kindergarten, she completed tasks around the house and got Noel to help with minor jobs. She took him to the pool for more swimming lessons and ended up teaching three children of the same age as Noel how to swim while their parents watched. One child invited Noel to a birthday party, and Max was as excited as Noel when he learned of the coming event. Sasha was also slowly making friends with mothers she met during kindergarten drop off and at her impromptu swimming lessons.
“Max must be older than you,” Rachel, one of her new friends, said at the outdoor cafe overlooking the pool. “Several of the single women have had their eye on Max.”
“A few years older,” Sasha said with a shrug while her dragon grumbled about the other women. Sasha ignored her dragon.
“That’s such a gorgeous ring. I adore colored stones,” Rachel continued. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please,” Sasha said. “This ring used to belong to Max’s mother.”
Rachel shuddered. “I’m not sure I would want his mother’s ring.”
“Why not?” Sasha attempted to keep the sharp note from her voice and failed. “Max and Noel loved their mother, so the ring has sentimental value for them and therefore for me too. Besides, you’re right. The ring is pretty. I like it very much.” Now that was the truth. She and her dragon enjoyed seeing the envy in the faces of those single women.
“Coffee,” Rachel said. “Let’s grab a seat near the kids so we can monitor them.”
Ten minutes later, Sasha picked up their coffee while Rachel grabbed the plate bearing the slice of chocolate cake they’d decided to split.
“Did you meet Max’s parents?” Rachel asked.
“She’s a nosy one,”her dragon complained.
“It’s best if we answer her questions. She seems like the chatty type who might gossip.”
“Ah, you mean she’ll pass on the information, so we don’t have to repeat ourselves.”
“Exactly,”Sasha said and sipped her coffee before she answered Rachel. “No, I never met Max’s parents. They sound like amazing people. I know Max and Noel miss them dreadfully.”
“I understand Max’s grandmother is suing for custody of Noel,” Rachel said.
“Enough,”her dragon said.
Sasha’s mouth firmed. “I don’t know anything about that.”
Rachel looked as if she didn’t believe Sasha, but she ceased her probing questions. “What are you buying Tiffany for a birthday present?” she asked instead.
“For the party?”
“Yes. That child has everything. It’s difficult to know what to get her.”
“Max said he’d pick up something in Edinburgh,” Sasha said.
“Lucky you.” Rachel pulled a face. “My husband would never offer to help in that way. You’d better enjoy it while you can. Men change after marriage.”
Sasha knew nothing about that, so she merely smiled and sipped her coffee again.
“I like this coffee stuff,”her dragon said.“It’s much tastier than those fishes’ fingers.”
“I have to agree,”Sasha said absently.
