“Fantastic,” Erik grumbled while his wife giggled.

Lexi laughed every time Vincent moved, because more feathers would cascade down from his hat and land in his tea. When he caught Lexi laughing, he picked up the pink nightmares and blew them in her direction. Sean lost a few grapes every time he bent down to sip his tea, and the occasional banana sprang free and tumbled onto the table, making Maddie laugh.

The tea party was in full swing. Madison was a wonderful hostess, leading the group in songs and telling stories. She even convinced Sean and Vincent to arm wrestle for the last chocolate chip cookie.

As Sean victoriously wiped the crumbs from his chin, a sultry voice halted him. “Whoa, when you guys have a tea party, you really go all out, don’t ya?”

Standing in the doorway was the fiery Hope Greyson, leaning against the door jamb, her long black hair spilling over her shoulders looking like she just stepped out of the pages of a magazine. Sean spun around so fast, he nearly fell out of his chair. Grapes spilled off the top of his hat and scattered everywhere.

“The door was open so I let myself in. I hope that was okay.”

“Of course!” Anna chirped, watching with great interest as Sean tried to collect himself.

“Hope?” he squeaked.

“Yes, the name’s Hope. Please remember that.” She held out her hand to Madison and took a seat at the table. “Hi, Madison. I’m Lexi’s friend, Hope.”

“You look like Princess Jasmine,” Madison said in wonder as she stared at Hope’s black hair and perfectly manicured fingers.

“I know I’m late, but do I still get a hat?” Hope smiled.

“Oh, yes. Here pick out whatever one you want.”

“Hey,” all the other adults at the table pouted.

“Cool!” Hope yanked a pirate hat out of the bag and put it on her head. “I don’t suppose you’ve got an eye patch to go with this?” She grinned happily when Madison found one. “Awesome.”

“You had a pirate hat in there all this time?” Sean whined. “I’d make a good pirate. Why do I have to be the fruit?”

“Because she said so, and it’s her tea party. Now quit whining and pass the tea,” Hope snipped back at Sean, silencing him. Madison excused herself from the table to go search for a magic wand she insisted she needed. When Sean opened up his mouth to complain again, Hope nudged his shoulder. “Quit being a baby. It’s just fruit.”

Vincent and Erik stood up and took the break in the festivities as an opportunity to sneak a beer from the refrigerator. They leaned against the counter and chuckled as Sean continued to stare at Hope.

“I like this woman.” Anna reached her hand across the table. “Hi, Hope. I’m Anna Caldwell. Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard lots about you from Sean.”

Hope shook her hand and snorted. “I’m not his girlfriend, and we haven’t slept together nor do I plan on it, no matter what he might have told you.”

She looked over her shoulder to make sure Madison wasn’t back yet and continued in a hushed voice. “However, my breasts are spectacular. That much I’m sure he mentioned … and got right,” Hope said with a sassy grin as she wrapped her free arm around Lexi.

“Oh my God, I love you.” Anna giggled.

“Hope? Really, what the hell are you doing here? Did you miss me, babe?” Sean reached for her, but Hope swatted his hand away like a fly.

“What did I tell you about the touching? Hands off, caveman.”

“Careful, or I might have to throw you over my shoulder and show you just how much of a caveman I really am,” he purred back at her, his large body getting as close as possible to Hope without actually touching her.

“Oh my,” Anna snickered as she watched Hope sit nose to nose with Sean, and not even flinch. Anna covered her mouth to hide her laughter while Vincent and Erik shook their heads at Sean.

Lexi, however, patiently waited for the comeback.

Hope sat back in her chair and gave him a long, slow appraisal from head to toe, then shrugged. “Your club isn’t big enough to tame me, babe.”

Madison breezed into the room as everyone exploded with laughter. “Time for the magic show!” Madison kept all the adults busy for the next fortyfive minutes with her tricks and an impromptu game of charades. The girls destroyed the boys’ team, mainly because Erik was the worst charades player of all time and all they did was argue when it was their turn.

“This,” Erik gestured his hands wildly at his sides, “is not flying, Sean. I was bicycling my arms. The word was bicycle.”

“You were flapping your wings, man, or having a seizure, or being electrocuted. Nothing about that says bicycle. Madison, your dad stinks at this game. Can we be done?”

“I think that’s a great idea. I need to give Maddie her bath anyway and start getting her ready for bed. Make yourselves comfortable, and I’ll be right back.” Anna excused herself upstairs with Madison right behind her.

“Lexi, the car runs like a dream now. That noise was a belt. I changed it and fixed the leaking hose. She’s as good as new. I had to keep it the extra day because the moron sent me the wrong part.” Hope tossed the keys to Lexi.

“You’re the best.” Lexi gave her friend a big hug.

“So what kind of car do you drive?” Vincent asked from right behind her. “I’m dying to see what the girl who called my car a toy thinks is a worthy automobile.”

Lexi slipped the keys into his hand and gestured toward the door. “Go see for yourself.”

Vincent made it as far as the door when he stopped short and said, “I know that car.”

Everyone walked outside and stared at Lexi’s gorgeous silver ’67 Chevy Camaro with racing stripes. She grinned proudly as they ran over to get a closer look.

“Did you restore this?” Sean asked Hope incredulously. His mouth fell open when she nodded her head.

“This was your dad’s car.” Vincent ran his hand over the curve of the hood. “I remember him driving around town in this all the time.”

“So you remember my dad’s car, but not me? Great. That does wonders for a girl’s self-esteem. Thanks, Vincent.” Lexi laughed, opening the door.

“Your baby’s back and in perfect working condition, thanks to yours truly.” Hope grinned as Sean continued to walk around the car, his mouth still agape. “I messed with the engine again while I was waiting for the belt to get delivered. Give it a start.”




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