Page 83 of The Wedding Toast
“We do,” said Reaves.
“Just by different names,” Trick added with a smile.
Reaves nodded.Sir Oakwas a new one on him, and he’d thought he’d heard all of Zia’s names for everyone.
The little girl continued, unperturbed.“I forgot my backpack,” she told Trick.“I had all my glitter and stickers and my coloring book and all my things in there, but I left it with Mom.Prince Daddy brought me to the store to buy some more.”
Trick raised his eyebrows, and Reaves nodded.Zia had panicked that although she’d had her backpack ready to bring with her when he arrived, she’d left it with her mom after they moved the flowers and ribbons.He’d decided that it would be easier to buy her new supplies than go back to the estate.He knew that Alara had her work cut out for her this morning, finishing the arch.
“It sounds like you’re going to have a busy morning,” Trick told her.
She nodded happily.“I’m going to ask Charles St.James if I can decorate his castle.”
Reaves bit back a laugh.He could just imagine his dad’s face if Zia started glittering up his office and she plastered her shiny stickers everywhere.
Trick winked at him – Trick knew his dad well.
“Are you going to come with us, Sir Oak?”Zia asked.
“Thank you for asking, but I need to go home,” said Trick.
“That’s a shame.But you’ll be there this afternoon, won’t you?When the King and Queen of the Cornflowers do their wedding.”
Trick chuckled.“I will.I wouldn’t miss it for the world.I’ll see you both there.”
“You can sit with us,” Zia announced.“I’m going to sit with Mom and Prince Daddy.”
When Trick met his gaze, Reaves could only shrug.He’d be happy to sit with them, but this was the first he’d heard of it.More than that, he could tell from the way Trick was looking at him that he was curious about thatMomand PrinceDaddyand the way it sounded.
“I’ll be happy to sit with you all,” said Trick.“Is Ollie coming with you?”he asked Reaves.
“He is.He’s coming over to Dad’s place.You’re welcome to join us if you want.”
Trick shook his head.“I need to go home and get ready.”
“Are you coming with Elliott?”
“I am.I said I’d pick him up on my way there.”
“Okay, we’ll see you later.”
“Don’t forget you’re going to sit with us!”Zia called as Trick walked away.
~ ~ ~
Over at the DuPont estate, Willow settled back into her armchair in the family room and smiled at her sister, Tori, and at Alyssa.
“How are you ladies feeling?”she asked.
Tori shot her a puzzled look.“I’m doing okay.Do you mean about being here in the house?”
“No,” said Willow.“Although I had noticed that you seem more relaxed than you used to – especially the last time you were here.”
Tori laughed.“That’s because I am.Last time I was here, I didn’t know what I was going to do with the rest of my life.”
Alyssa smiled at her.“And now you have it all figured out.You and Xander are all settled, from what you’ve said, and is Violets doing well?”
“It is,” said Tori.“We’re really happy there.”She turned back to Willow.“And that’s why I’m more comfortable here now.I know no one expects me to stay, and it’s okay that this place doesn’t feel like home – now that I have one of my own.”
