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Her phone buzzed again. Damon said he was going to be there in just five minutes.

“We need to move fast if we’re going to pull this off,” Tessa said. “I’ll talk to her when I get back.”

The others wished her well, said goodbye because they’d be back with their respective Daddies that night, and watched as Tessa slid off the trampoline and hurried toward the back door.

Tessa was sure thankful for her new friends. She wished she could stay and play with them this afternoon, but duty called.

She had to answer.

Tessa was shocked when a limo pulled up to the curb at Auntie Athena’s.

As the driver held the door open for her, she slid in the back and thanked him before being sealed in with a dull thud.

Sitting across from Damon, she said, “Where’s the little car?”

“I thought this would… make a bigger statement.”

She couldn’t argue with his logic.

“I’m sorry I don’t look nicer,” she said. “I’m afraid I won’t make Ms. Keller very jealous.”

Damon’s gaze was stern. “You look just fine, little girl. Don’t speak poorly about yourself again.”

She nearly laughed, thinking he was already sliding into character, but then realized he was serious.

Gulping, she said, “Yes, Sir.”

The limo drove through the traffic on the palm-tree-lined streets.

“So, what is the plan here?” Tessa finally asked. “We’re going to go shopping where they are shopping?”

“Yes.”

Tessa winced. “I hope they’ll let me in the store. I’m in the same old jeans and t-shirt I wore this morning.”

“I’m dressed the same too.”

It was true, she thought. But the difference was his jeans were probably designer and cost a grand. On the other hand, hers were a thrift store special she’d dropped a whopping fifteen bucks on.

“Besides,” Damon continued, “this isn’t a fancy store. It’s actually a place for people like us.”

A few moments passed before Tessa realized what he was saying. “For Littles?”

“Yep. You’re going to love this place. And, you know… you get to keep whatever we buy, of course.”

She swallowed hard and shifted in her seat. “Sir, you don’t have to buy me⁠—”

He held up a hand and shook his head. “My treat. Daddies like to spoil cuties, you know.” He winked. His back immediately stiffened, as if he’d realized what he’d said. “But we need to look the part. This has to seem authentic. It would be strange if we were perusing the store but not buying anything.”

That made sense to Tessa, but she hated that he was going to spend money on her.

This was his idea, though. She’d go along with it.

To help him. Of course.

Chapter Ten

The store didn’t look like anything special from the outside.