Kate jumps up and kisses the top of his head. “You love me.”
“I’m not dressing up though.”
Malcolm pushes out from the table, screeching his chair legs across the floor—grumbling under his breath as he leaves.
“You’re going to be the death of that man,” I tell Kate.
“Dying for the cause isn’t such a bad thing,” she says, laughing.
“So how is the party planning going? Anything I can do?” I ask her.
“Nope, we have it all covered! Just show up, dress up, and get crazy!”
“Oh you know I am thedefinitionof crazy,” I say dryly.
“Or just come and sit idly by while we all embrace the best holiday of the year! Besides Christmas, nothing beats Christmas.”
“I respectfully disagree,” Ellie pipes in.
“Spooky season is the best, hands down,” I say in agreement as I head for the door.
“Where are you going?” Ellie asks me.
“Just to do vice principal things, don’t let me interrupt the planning.”
“You don’t want to help?”
“Ugh, please no! Benny can’t help with this. His ideas will literally turn this into a wake from how dead the party will become!” Kate groans.
My ideas aren’tthatbad . . . I don’t think.
“Kate and I just party differently. I can throw some bangers, let me tell ya.”
Kate snorts. “A Mario Kart party is not a banger.”
“I’m sure we could find him something to do. We need plates and cups! Benny, do you want to be in charge of that?” Ellie asks me with a pitiful smile. She’s trying to make the task seem cooler than it is.
“Don’t screw it up. This is your one chance,” Kate says, staring at me as if this mission was life or death.
“You can count on me,” I say with a forced smile and a finger salute.
Plates and cups?Lame.
“Great, thank you.” Ellie smiles back at me.
I quickly shove the feeling her smile gives me deep down and lock it up tight.
Not allowed.
“Alright, thank you for your contribution. You are free to go.” Kate waves me off.
I blink. “I’m in no rush.”
“We have more party planning to discuss and I don’t want you getting any more ideas on how you can help.”
Chapter twelve
Ellie
