“Yes,” she says emphatically.
We go full-on cheese with our smiles at each other.
“Okay, little miss. Let’s show them how it’s done.”
After the grand finale, I give her a huge bouquet that I’d kept hidden from The Enchanted Florist, and it’s like I’ve given her a pony or something. She’sthrilled.
“Flowers?” she gasps. “Forme? I’ve never ever had flowers. Oh, I love them so, so much!”
If I could give her the whole world, I would.
Sam plucks one that is dangling loosely and breaks the stem. Winnie beams when he tucks it behind her ear. She shifts on her feet, waiting for our approval.
“Perfect,” Addy says.
“You really were the best one out there,” I whisper so I don’t hurt any other little girls nearby.
We pose for pictures with our friends, cracking up at how we’ve multiplied over the last couple of years.
“At the rate we’re all going, I think we can fill up this theatre on our own next year,” Rhodes teases.
“You trying to tell us something?” Bowie asks.
“Nah, I’m letting you be the father of many nations,” Rhodes says, shaking Bowie by the shoulder.
Bowie just laughs, completely unperturbed. Honestly, he’s such a good dad, I can imagine him with five kids and still pulling off that stud hair like it’s nothing.
We all end up at Serendipity, and Greer and Wyndham go on about how cute Winnie looks in her dance outfit.
“Thank you,” Winnie says, twirling. “I think I’m getting a strawberry shake,” she declares.
“You always get a strawberry shake,” Sam says.
“That’s because it’s my favorite,” she says, her nose scrunching up. But then she sees a banana split at the next tableand she hesitates. Her mouth drops a little. “Or maybe that,” she says.
We all laugh and she looks around likewhat?
When Greer comes out with the massive thing, sliding it in front of Winnie’s awed face, she stares at it. “It’s so big,” she whispers.
“You think you can handle it?” I ask.
Her chin lifts. “I’m verypowerful,” she says.
Sam looks at me, nodding proudly. “Told you.”
We watch as she digs in, taking a huge bite of whipped cream and chocolate and banana all at once. Her whole face lights up.
“Oh…I was made for this,” she breathes.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
WHAT I WANT
ADELINE
I’m sitting in the back of Elle’s SUV, listening to Tru and Poppy discussing pregnancy next to me. Sadie’s riding shotgun, scrolling on her phone and asking Elle all the questions about her movie premiere. We’ve got some time yet before that, but we decided that after we get some Christmas shopping done, we’ll do a little gown shopping as well.
“Do you have any ideas about what you want to wear yet?” Sadie asks Elle.