They’re acting like we just brought home a puppy.
And I am not having this.
My whistle is sharp and loud, like the last cab in Manhattan is about to pull away without me.
All noise ceases.
“Listen up. If Princess Luna stays,” I say, still mildly shocked that those words came out of my mouth, “not one photo gets posted. No calls to friends. No sharing locations. She’s a guest, and she deserves respect and privacy. Understood?”
“Understood,” they all say instantly, disturbingly unified.
“Do not make me regret this,” I warn.
“We won’t,” Connor promises for all of them, as fist bumps and high-fives break out.
I glance at Pix. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? We don’t exactly have a concierge.”
Her smile turns dangerous. “I’ll make do.”
Everyone holds their breath, waiting for my verdict.
I can’t take this from them. Not when they haven’t looked this happy since…
I draw in a slow breath. “Why is our guest still holding her bag and a box?”
The room erupts, cheering.
Ollie and Connor swoop in immediately, grabbing both.
“Careful,” Pix says to Ollie. “That box has donuts.”
“Yes!”
He spins toward the kitchen, already halfway gone, when she adds, “Wait. Give one to your father.”
I don’t hate that she thought of me.
Ollie pauses, nods solemnly, then holds the box while I open it and grab one. Pix reaches into her pocket and produces a napkin, handing it over.
When I hesitate, she smiles. “It’s clean. The nice lady at the shop gave me a whole stack and threw in extra donuts when she heard I was headed to Bishop Mountain. All on the house. Apparently, we’re now lifelong friends.”
I take it. “That nice lady would be my sister. Hannah.”
Pink blooms across her cheeks.
“Oh,” she says, softer now.
Great. Now I need to know what she told Hannah to earn that reaction.
But I don’t have time.
“She can have my room,” Connor announces, already hustling her backpack down the hall.
Good. Someone should be using it.
“Make sure it’s tidy!” I holler after him. Then I lean into Pix’s free ear. “Where’s your suitcase?”
“At my hotel,” she says. “I was going to send for it if I was still welcome after being unavoidably delayed by a lumberjack.”
