“Ready to see who our mystery host is?”Callie’s walking down behind me with Ellis in her arms.
I’m not sure how much longer I can handle the stairs.Callie has to feel the same way.
Penelope and Decker don’t have to worry because they’re moving into their place after the season is over, which is only a couple weeks from now.
“Who do we think it is?”I ask, falling in line with Ellis and Callie.
“My assumption is it’s the boys.Hopefully they have a big surprise for us.Like they’re taking the kids and sending us on a girls’ trip as a thank you for raising their kids this season.”Callie laughs.
“We’re going to Lake Starlight,” Penelope says, eyeing me.“Nice new ring.Heard it was quite the ordeal.”
We all walk out of the gate and stop when we see Leighton on the sidewalk, telling Lincoln that she’s going to take his phone.She’s allowing Flora to hold Monroe’s hand and just walk around.I guess that’s what happens when you have more than one.
“What are you doing here?”Callie asks her.
“Because apparently the boys have decided to add one more thing to my day.I love surprises, but come on.”She opens the door to Peeper’s and ushers her whole group in.“Let’s go see what Dad has planned.”
We all walk into Peeper’s, and the guys at the bar turn and smile at us.They love us because we take care of their favorite players’ kids, and now they’re going to the World Series for the second year in a row.Hopefully they win it this year.
Ruby is behind the bar, talking to a woman seated there.I do a double-take since there aren’t any female regulars.
“Everyone, this is my niece, Cece.”Ruby gestures to the woman.“She’s visiting from New Hampshire.”
I had no idea that Ruby had a niece.In fact, I’ve never even thought of Ruby having a family beyond these four walls.
The woman spins around on the stool and gives us a small wave.She has striking blue eyes and brown hair with bangs.She smiles at us, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
Ruby quickly goes through the names of everyone in our group, then glances at the door to the backroom.“Ladies, you are aware of what’s going on?”
She comes around from behind the bar and gives all the kids high fives.She holds her hand up to Tanner, and he tries to go to her.
“Nope, sorry, I don’t do the holding.”Ruby goes back behind the bar.
“They’re in there?”Penelope thumbs toward the door.
Ruby nods.“Causing trouble as always.They exhaust me.I’ll bring in some drinks in a minute.”
Callie opens the door, or rather, she allows Ellis to do it with her help.“Oh no.Shut the door, Ellis.”
“Come on,” a deep voice says that doesn’t sound like any of our guys.
Callie turns around and frowns.“No girls’ trip.”
She walks in and we all follow.The Chipmunks are seated at the table, dressed in suits.
What are they doing?
“You’re the reason I dragged all my kids here?”Leighton says.“You better be buying, and one of you is going to get them pizza.”She points at each of them one at a time.
We all find our seats, and I keep Tanner on my lap, but eventually I’ll lose the battle.I just hope Easton is here before Tanner has a meltdown because he wants to walk around.
“We’re here to negotiate,” Simon says.
We glance at one another and glare at them.
“Negotiate what?”I ask.
“As we see it, you’re all happily coupled up,” Alvin says.“You’re officially in your happy-ever-after eras.I mean, three of you are married, one soon-to-be.You’ve all got kids, so why do you want to be in this building?”Alvin leans back in his chair, arms crossed.
