They went onto the lavish patio and through the open wall that had its floor-to-ceiling glass windows parted, making the rear room of the mansion a semi-outdoor space at the moment.
“Riley, what has gotten into you?”
The actress shrugged. “You told me to act like a star. Well, that’s what I’m doing. Thanks to you and your guidance, Rita, I now know what I’m owed. What I deserve. I’m embracing my inner goddess.”
Several of the other Littles clapped.
It was evident Rita was thinking about it all as she stood there huffing. Finally, she said, “Riley, I might need to rethink our professional relationship.”
“But Rita! Our contract!”
“That contract can be?—”
Shouts outside interrupted the proceedings.
“Did I hear someone yellfood fight?” she asked.
Riley looked around. “Oh. That would be Eli. I guess he didn’t follow us in here.”
“No! This is my big night!” Rita said, nearly falling as her heels caught on the track where the sliding windows went on as she bolted toward the backyard again.
Riley and the others were right behind her.
Outside and down the gentle slope that led to the flat piece of yard where the party was, it was complete pandemonium.
Food was flying everywhere. Stryker and Harrison—the actor disguised, too—were chasing Eli, all of them throwing food as they ran.
Eli dodged some shrimp, jumped on top of a nearby table, and leaned down to pick up a plate of some sort of appetizer. Hescooped up the food and tossed it, but Harrison ducked at the last second.
A partygoer behind him wasn’t so lucky.
The food splattered on his face as he yelled.
Eli jumped from table to table, sending dishes everywhere as people hurried out of the way.
“It’s a food fight!” Samantha yelled. “Every woman and man for themselves!”
The Littles all charged the scene now, grabbing fistfuls of whatever food was convenient.
“Stop it! Please!” Rita cried, in tears as she sank to her knees, watching the chaos that she was powerless to stop spread across her pristine backyard.
Chairs toppled. Screams and cries filled the night. A statue shattered.
But it wasn’t over yet. Not by a long shot.
Riley ran around to the side of the house where they’d hidden the rocket. Getting inside, she started the engine.
“Hey!”
She looked to see Briggs.
“Put on your helmet, babygirl. Just like we talked about.”
“Yes, Daddy.” She put on the pink helmet, gave him a thumbs-up, then took off toward the backyard.
Ruts trailed the rocket as it ate up the golf-course-like grass. Dirt clods soared into the air before raining down.
“I’m sure glad Stryker fixed this thing!” she said, not knowing if any of her friends could even hear her in their earpieces.