“Really? That’s the song you’re inspirationally quoting? The Safety Dance?”
“It slipped out. It’s a classic. What I’m saying is, there’s no reason to hide your brilliant light under a bushel so your brothers can keep feeling superior anymore. Think about it, T. Anything you want. Anything. Say the word and we’ll fly to Paris for the weekend. Or even better, New Zealand.”
“And how is New Zealand better than Paris? Don’t say hobbits.”
“Fine. We’ll do Paris.” Because I want to say hobbits. And tell her that’s where Ransom’s Beard is supposed to be.
Instagram is a lie.
“Or we can stay right here.” I march her out to the railing and let my arm do a dramatic vista sweep. “All this is now yours, your Highness. Rule it wisely.”
“I told you she was a princess.”
Startled, I turn my head to see four sets of eyes aimed in our direction. Elliot and his sister are sitting at the table, and the girls are frozen mid frolic.
This isn’t uncomfortable at all.
At least Elliot looks like he’s fully recovered. How is that fair? He drank as much as I did.
“Did you come for the pancakes?” Rue is clinging to the barrier with her cousin right beside her, both girls staring wide-eyed at Tanisha. “We didn’t make any today. We had donuts and Daddy had a stinky shake for grownups that gives good calories.”
I find myself smiling down at her as Tani shakes her head. “That sounds delicious. Unfortunately, this one woke up late, so he hasn’t fed me yet.”
Rue frowns. “You said he can’t cook.”
“Thanks for remembering that,” Tani responds with a laugh. “You’re right. I might be in trouble.”
I don’t mind the teasing, since it’s putting her in a better mood. My stomach rumbles at the mention of food and I’m surprised at how hungry I am. There were moments last night when I swore I’d never put anything in my mouth again.
“We can get donuts,” I tell her. “Celebratory freedom donuts.”
She makes a face at that but Rue is squealing. “You don’t have to go out. Daddy got two boxes and we could only eat one! Some have jelly. We can share with you. Right, Adria?”
The quiet dark-haired elf nods, still mesmerized. “Right.”
Elliot’s sister steps toward them both quickly, shaking her head. “We don’t want to bother them, girls. You remember how your uncle told you she just got here? They haven’t seen each other in a while, so they might want to be alone to catch up.”
“We don’t.”
I send a sharp look in Tani’s direction. “We don’t?”
“We caught up. We’re done.” She brings out her killer smile, instantly slaying our captive audience. “We’d rather have celebratory jelly donuts. After we eat, I brought a few of my tiaras, in case anyone wants to try them on.”
She’s using the tiara card already.
The squeals are still ringing in my ears by the time Elliot and company disappear into their apartment and we head toward the front door. In seconds, two small bundles of energy are careening into my apartment, their parents bringing up the rear.
“You’re going to be an evil ruler. I can tell,” I say without looking in Tani’s direction.
“Wise and misunderstood maybe,” she allows. “But I did get us donuts.”
I keep the act up, bowing formally when the two girls skid to a halt in front of us. Rue giggles, but Adria narrows her eyes on Tani. “Do you have a sword?”
I love her.
“The last thing you need is a sword, young lady.” Joan Ransom glances between us, obviously harried. She doesn’t look as much like Elliot as I expected her to. Same basic coloring, but her eyes are more hazel than green, and her chin is dimple free. “I’m going to apologize in advance and hope you don’t have anything priceless in reach. They’ve been doing their leg exercises and tumbles all morning.”
“For swimming lessons?” I ask, managing to keep my feelings about that off my face.
Intriguingly, she doesn’t. “Exactly. Though why they need to tumble outside of the pool, I’ll never know. I heard you were around for my mother’s visit. Elliot and I were discussing that this morning and we both agree that there is a line and she’s crossed it. The kids still love to swim, and we won’t take that love away from them by forcing mandatory training they’re too young to make up their minds about.”
I shake her hand with a relieved smile. She’s nothing like her mother. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Joey.”
“The nanny wrangler,” she says, smiling. And now I see the resemblance. “I know.”
She knows about me? What does she know?
Like he’d tell his sister that. Give it a rest and have a donut.
“Joan, yes?” Tani steps forward and smoothly takes her arm, snatching the box of donuts out of Elliot’s hands like a ninja before walking them toward the kitchen. “I heard you trained for the Olympics. Are you interested in coaching at all?”