I smile. “In your bedroom.”
She scrambles off Everett’s lap and races down the hallway with the three of us hot on her heels.
“It’s a fairy princess bedroom,” she squeals, spinning in a circle with wide eyes, taking everything in. “With a princess bed.”
She skips to the bed that looks like a mini castle, entering through the door to find the steps up to her bed. There’s a slide that runs down to finish on the plush rainbow rug in the middle of the room. Underneath the bunk is a little cubby that she can play in with her dolls.
“This is the best present ever. Thanks, Mama.”
I blink back tears. “You’re welcome, princess.”
Tinsley glides down the slide, landing at Blake’s and Everett’s feet, and looks up at them. “Are you both coming to my princess party on Sunday?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” her brother says, cuffing her on the chin. “I’ve got an away game, but we’ll be back by two.”
She turns to Blake. “Are you coming too? Pretty please?”
He looks at me, something akin to panic in his eyes. Whether it’s because he thinks he’s overstepping or he’s terrified of coming to a five-year-old’s princess party, I’m not sure.
I shrug.
“The more, the merrier.”
He turns his attention back to my daughter and grins. “Count me in.”
“Yay,” she says, bouncing happily. “This is the best birthday ever.”
We leave Tinsley to explore her new room, and I walk the guys to the door. “Thanks again for everything,” I say. “I really do appreciate it.”
“Anytime,” Blake says, shooting me a smile that does things to my lady parts.
I mentally scold myself, especially since Everett is standing right next to him. “Don’t feel obligated to come to her party. I’m sure you have other things you’d rather be doing.”
His smile widens as he backs towards Everett’s car, which is parked on the street. “Nah, it sounds like fun. Do you need us to bring anything?”
I shake my head. “It’s all under control.”
“In that case, we’ll see you Sunday. Bye, Juliet.”
Everett waves, and I watch them climb into his car and leave.
Oh, boy. I’m going to need a cold shower tonight.
Chapter 12
Blake
The bus ride to Westhope on Saturday takes three and a half hours, and for the first half of the trip my mind doesn’t deviate from Tinsley’s mum. There’s no denying Everett’s stepmum is attractive, and there was something almost familiar about her, which is ridiculous because I’ve never met her. Everett does the pick-ups and drop-offs when Tinsley stays over.
I’m not the only one with something on his mind, though.
“You okay, dude?” I ask, shooting a pointed look at Everett’s bouncing knee. “You’re making me antsy.”
He grimaces, placing his hand on his leg to stop it jiggling as he glances down at his phone. “Sorry.”
I nudge his shoulder with mine. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. We’re sitting clear. Westhope won’t know what hit them.”
“It’s not the game,” he mutters, checking his phone again.
