“It’s definitely been a theme for Charlotte’s friends this year.” He grinned, the slight dimple in his cheek showing. “And now that you’ve brought it up, do you think you’ll still be doing this princess gig next March? Because if so, I might have to book your professional princess services for Charlotte’s birthday party.”
“I’m actually hoping to have a steadier job by then.” I tucked a stray curl behind my ear. “But if you really want Belle or one of my other princess alter egos to show up again, I’m sure I can pencil Charlotte’s party into my calendar.”
“Good.”
He looked like he was about to say something else, but when I caught sight of a slightly frazzled host trying to serve cake and ice cream by herself to a table full of tiny royals chanting for cake, I excused myself and stepped up to the counter.
“Would you mind if I helped serve the other princesses?” I asked Cassia in my best cheerful Belle voice.
“Oh yes, please.” She looked up, relief flooding her expression. “That would be wonderful.”
So while she filled the plates, I carried them to the royal guests.
As I handed a slice to a grinning Charlotte, I caught Theo out of the corner of my eye, standing near the other dads and laughing at something one of them said. Then, for just a moment, his gaze flicked my way, that easy half-smile curving his mouth again.
Don’t read into it,I warned myself, forcing my pulse to slow.
Just because I hadn’t managed to shake the crush that started last fall, after catching him in that perfectly-tailored suit at the university’s gymnastics team fundraiser and looking every bit the confident, impossibly composed lawyer he was, didn’t mean he saw me that way.
To him, I was still just Lucy’s friend. Practically family.
Still, my chest gave a tiny, traitorous flutter before I forced my focus back to the cake.
Theo Archibald was out of my league—so far out it was laughable to even entertain my daydreams. But it wasn’t like anyone needed to know I was slightly infatuated with the sexy single dad.
As long as he never found out, my little unrequited crush couldn’t hurt.
3
THEO
By three o’clock,the birthday party was starting to wind down. Half the tiaras had been abandoned in the grass, frosting stains decorated the picnic table, and Charlotte’s curls were sticking to her forehead like she’d survived a sugar-fueled marathon.
I’d spent most of the last half hour hanging out near the back patio with my friend Drake—the birthday girl’s dad—and another friend, Romeo, whose twin daughters were here. Between the three of us, we’d probably witnessed more glitter, squealing, and off-key Disney songs than any man should have to endure in one afternoon.
But the girls had loved every second of it, thanks mostly to Nora.
She was at the center of it all, her yellow dress swirling as she led the girls in one last round of musical chairs. Watching her work the crowd was impressive. I didn’t know many people who could keep ten preschoolers that entertained for two hours without breaking a sweat.
At first, I didn’t think Charlotte had recognized her as my sister Lucy’s best friend. She’d been too dazzled by the gown and the princess act to notice. But halfway through a game of tag, she came running over to me, cheeks pink and eyes wide.
“Daddy,” she’d whispered, cupping her little hands to my jaw, “is Princess Belle Aunt Lucy’s friend? The friend who played games with me on the plane?”
I’d hesitated, not sure if I should ruin the magic. But since she was bringing it up, I nodded. “Yeah, that’s Aunt Lucy’s friend, Nora. But don’t tell anyone, okay? She’s supposed to just be Princess Belle at the party.”
“Otay.” Charlotte grinned like I’d let her in on the world’s biggest secret. Then she promptly ran off, pigtails bouncing as she rejoined the game.
I watched her go, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. For all the chaos she caused, my little girl had a knack for brightening my day.
When I finally pulled my phone from my pocket, the real world came crashing back. A few new messages had come in, but none were the answer I was hoping for.
My friend Sloan, who was my last hope for finding a fill-in babysitter after Charlotte’s nanny had quit unexpectedly this morning, was also busy on Monday.
Sloan: Sorry, Theo. I really wish I could help, but I’ll be running a drama camp next week. I could help the week after that if you’re still stuck.
I exhaled through my nose, typing back a quick message.
Me: Thanks for getting back to me. I’ll keep looking.