Page 55 of Daddy's Pursuit
He chuckled. “You sound like the Big. But yes, sweetie, I’ll be careful.”
Iris smiled, but inside, she felt a growing sense of uneasiness. She sure hoped Daddy would be extra cautious.
Because already she couldn’t imagine life without him.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Well, you three look adorable!” Auntie Athena said. “Where are you cuties going?”
“Just out and about for some Little fun,” Macy answered.
Night had fallen and the girls had applied extra makeup, teased their hair into bouncing curls, and were wearing obviously Little outfits, though leggings covered their diapers just in case they had to stop for some reason between the nursery and their destination.
“One of our friends is having a party,” Elena explained.
More guilt gripped Iris. That wasn’t exactly true. This wasn’t just some get-together planned by someone they knew. But the dishonesty was necessary. Auntie would want to know more if she knew what they were really up to. She might even call Jack and tell him. Then Iris wouldn’t have the money she needed and…
Forcing her mind to stop its doom-spiraling, she smiled and said, “It’s going to be so much fun!”
She hoped the excitement seemed genuine.
Why was she nervous anyway? Sure, she hated lying. But once she got to the party she would truly enjoy herself. There was a pool and other Littles. What more could she ask for?
Daddy.
That’s what she could ask for. Or ratherwho.
But he was working late, anyway. Hanging out with him wasn’t an option. She loved hanging out with Auntie Athena, but that wouldn’t earn any money.
This way, she would get to have fun while getting some income.
It was a win/win.
“Well, I know sometimes Littles like to put down their juice boxes and enjoy some adult beverages,” Auntie said. “So, ladies, do you promise to drink responsibly?”
“Yes, Auntie,” the trio answered.
“And if you have one too many—if you even suspect you’re the tiniest bit tipsy—you’ll call me or Auntie Caroline?”
“Yes, Auntie.”
Athena nodded. “Good. Because if I find out you drove when you should not have, I’ll spank your bottoms so hard you won’t sit down for a week.” She looked even more serious as she continued. “And do not, under any circumstances, leave your drinks unattended. Watch each other’s backs. Got it?”
“Yes, Auntie,” they promised.
With a smile, she added, “Now, go have fun. Safe fun.”
The Littles hugged her before skipping out the front door. Trevon, having overheard the conversation, called out, “And if anyone messes with you, call your Uncle. I’ll be there fast! You heard what Auntie said about your drinks. Someone tries to slip something in and I’ll bust through the wall and bash some heads. Anyone tries anything, I’m coming for them! So just call if you need me.”
“Yes, Uncle Trevon,” Elena hollered back.
The Littles kept skipping right out the gate and to Macy’s car.
The house was a sprawling, multi-level mid-century modern home that had been kept up well, even if its early 1960s aesthetic still shone brightly.
Built on the side of the mountain like so many homes on Mulholland, it was somewhat disjointed but designed in a way that still made it accessible. Somehow, it just worked, Iris thought.
Music was being pumped through speakers positioned at various points. People stood in the driveway, on the porch, in the main living room, and even in the hallways and the kitchen. Iris assumed there were people in the bedrooms, too, but she didn’t want to find out firsthand. They were probably in there for a certain reason, and she wanted to give them privacy.
