My smile was already in place. Occasionally, I had to drop it to stretch out my mouth.
But that wasn’t often. I was really having a wonderful time, my smile true.
The mom held up her silver bracelet, tapping on it. “Saycheese!”
“Cheese,” the girl shouted in excitement.
My grin increased as I laughed the smallest bit.
“Got it!” the mom declared, staring at the picture hovering over her bracelet.
I bent down and gazed into the little girl’s eyes. “Remember, you are even more beautiful than I am. Inside and out. Okay?”
She nodded her head eagerly, and then raced off to hold her dad’s hand.
I waved when she peered back, catching one last look at the “princess.”
Families walked by, and I waved. Babies were held in their arms, and I cooed at the little drooling cutie. Sticky fingers grabbed at my dress, and I laughed as parents and I attempted to clean smears of pink and every other imaginable color. Pictures were taken with the elderly and infants, and every age in-between.
When noon hit, I glanced at the chiming clock. It was my lunch break.
But there was a toddler wobbling his way up to me, the parent holding his hand. I crouched down, and asked, “Hello, handsome. Are you having fun at Sparkle World?”
He grinned, showing his tiny teeth.
His little pointer finger touched my nose, his mouth dropping in wonder.
I chuckled and wiggled my nose under his little digit.
Giggles made his body shake. “Pin’cess.”
I nodded my head, my smile growing larger. “That’s right! Princess.”
The mom asked, “Is there anyone around here who can take a picture with the three of us in it?”
Nodding, I pushed to stand. “Yes, ma’am. If you’ll follow me, we have helpers—”
“I can do it for you.” Rune sauntered toward us, his suit jacket over his arm. He smiled at the young mother. “Send the screen, and I’ll take it. Though I’m not a professional photographer.”
My brows rose at him in silent question before I turned a charming smile on the woman. “Does that work for you, ma’am. That’s how the helpers would do it, anyway.”
She gawked at Rune. “Aren’t you—”
He cut in smoothly, “Here to have lunch with this beautiful Princess.”
Her mouth snapped shut, taking the polite hint. “Well, if you want to take the picture, it would be helpful.”
He nodded his consent.
She tapped on her bracelet and slid her hand over it toward Rune.
The photo screen appeared in front of him, and she picked up her toddler.
I moved closer to her and smiled pretty for the picture.
Rune tapped on the screen, stating, “1, 2, 3!”
The woman and I waited patiently as he glanced down at the screen. His cheeks pinched as he grinned at the picture. He slid the screen back to her, commenting, “It’s adorable.”
