The girls’ faces dropped, taking Bethany’s heart with them. She couldn’t bear their disappointment. It wasn’t their fault she’d made a deal with Elizabeth. Besides, she’d only promised to decline invitations from Hank. She couldn’t stop other people from extending invitations, and Hank from accepting. Could she? And ifshehappened to be at the same party, that wasn’t her fault, was it? Of course not.
She met Travis’s eyes over the girls’ heads and they exchanged a silent message. Hers asked: Will you come? His replied: If I must.
Bethany shifted her gaze to the girls, who held back tears. She granted them her warmest smile. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Yay!”
Travis crouched next to the girls. “Am I invited, too?”
“Yes,” Tia and Tana chorused, rushing into Travis’s arms.
“You want to watch a princess movie?” Rosie asked.
“Sure.” Travis tipped his head toward Bethany. “It’s high on my bucket list right now.”
“Okay, I’ll make popcorn. It will be fun. We’ll look for you both around eight.” Rosie shifted her attention to her children. “Vamos, girls. Get your things.”
“Bye, Mr. Travis. Bye, Miss Bethany.” The girls ran into the dining area, and Rosie followed them with a wave to Bethany.
“Good luck with the contest entry—I’m sure it will be a winner.”
“Thanks, Rosie. Don’t forget to cast your vote for Grandma Lou’s any time after midnight on Friday.”
“Got it. See you later, Travis.”
The minute Rosie was out the back door, Travis was on Bethany like sprinkles on cupcakes. “Why would a television star come to a little girl’s princess party?”
Bethany finished pouring the second batch of cupcakes. “You’re asking me? Guess he likes kids and Disney movies.”
Travis’s frown could have stretched all the way to downtown Cleveland. “I thought after last night you were through with him. You two have something going on I don’t know about?”
“Of course not. I don’t know why he agreed to come to the princess party. It’s probably because he’s lonely, like Rosie said. Why are you looking at me that way?”
“Don’t be naïve, Bethany. He’s after you. Maybe you should pretend to be sick. The girls will understand, and I can have a little talk with Hank.”
Bethany opened the oven door and placed the pan of cupcakes on the top shelf. “There’s no need for a talk. I’m a big girl. I know how to tell a guy no. Besides, you’ll be there. What could go wrong?”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Bethany eyed Daphne Miller who sat next to Hank on Rosie’s worn brown couch. When she’d imagined what could go wrong, she hadn’t imagined Daphne as part of the equation.
“I hope you don’t mind me tagging along with Hank,” Daphne said, presenting Bethany and Travis with a smile as fake as her boob job. Bright pink hoops dangled from her ears. She proceeded to squeeze Hank’s arm as if it were her personal possession.
“Not at all.” Bethany scratched the back of her leg with her free hand—the other held her cupcakes in a plastic container. The woman gave Bethany a serious case of hives. She forced her lips into what she hoped was an upward tilt and tried not to look like she cared. “Rosie in the kitchen?”
Daphne shrugged. “I think she’s helping the little angels with their PJs. Hi, Travis. Aren’t you the handsome one? Ooh, is that your winning recipe?” Daphne moved her palm to Hank’s leg and smirked. “Hank mentioned you were entering a contest.”
“He did, did he?” Bethany’s gaze traveled fromDaphne’s hand to Hank’s face. He removed Daphne’s hand, stretched his long legs in front of him, and offered her a sleepy smile.
“That was mighty sharing of him,” Bethany said. “Travis, why don’t you grab a seat. I’m going to put these cupcakes on a plate.”
“Hi, Miss Bethany. Hi, Mr. Travis. We’ve got popcorn,” Tia said, racing into the family room in pink princess pajamas. Tana and Rosie were not far behind her.
Bethany held up the plastic container. “And we brought dessert.”
“Yay!” Tia and Tana cheered. “Can we have one?”
“Sure, if it’s okay with your mother.”
