Page 87 of Princess and the Player
“Just club soda.”
“It’s Darden’s birthday, and we’re probably going to give him a heart attack when he walks in. You might need alcohol.”
“I’m good.”
“I’ll grab you a water.” He kisses my cheek, then whispers in my ear. “You’re mine later.”
He strides off, and I let out a shaky breath, then turn to Cece, who’s eyeing me.
“What?”
“You’re in a bad spot, honey. You’ve caught feelings.”
“I’ve got this,” I lie as I head to the den.
Fifteen minutes later, Jasper, Cece, Brogan, Herman, and I wait in the dark for Darden. Tuck’s mission was to ask him up to discuss a business venture. We hear the doorbell ping, Tuck’s signal that he’s got him. I wanted a party for Darden but knew he’d know if I planned it at my place; then Tuck offered to do it here.
“The package is arriving,” Jasper whispers over by the light switch. “Remember he’s eighty. So no shouting.”
The door opens in the foyer, and Darden grumbles, “I don’t understand why we couldn’t talk at my place.”
“I thought you might like to see the view from here and try a glass of this new Scotch I got.”
“I only drink peppermint tea these days,” he grouses. “Why is it so dark in here, Avery? It’s a cave.”
Jasper flips the lights on and cranks up “In da Club,” and Cece releases a banner from a string that Brogan rigged up that saysGOFOR100 DARDENon it. Herman and I call out, “Happy birthday!” Then someone starts the song.
Darden stands there stoically, glaring at all of us. “Who’s to blame for this atrocity?”
I raise my hand, and he glowers. “MissLane. You should be out celebrating a holiday invented for flower shops and card companies. Can I go now?”
I smile. “There’s birthday cake and ice cream.”
“And applesauce if you don’t have your teeth in,” Brogan says.
Darden scowls. “Full of jokes, aren’t you?”
“Don’t be a grouch, Darden. We’ve got Hula-Hoops, am I right?” Jasper says, busting out the circular toys and passing them around.
“Is this a kindergarten party?” Darden asks.
I smirk. “We tried to come up with a theme. Cece wanted a 1940s thing, Brogan wanted to do all black, and I suggested we just have fun. You can laugh at us, yeah?”
His eyebrows bristle as he watches Herman slip a Hula-Hoop over his doorman suit, then swivel his hips. A small twitch lifts his lips when the hoop falls and Herman’s face reddens.
Cece puts a birthday sash on him, and he grunts. “Bring me some cake. No ice cream. It makes me gassy.”
“Sure,” I say.
“Hey, man, would you like a margarita?” Jasper asks as he whips off his shirt, slips a Hula-Hoop over his head, and circles his hips. “I’d bet anyone in this room that I could make one and Hula-Hoop at the same time.”
“I’m in,” Tuck says and slaps down a dollar on the coffee table.
“Same!” Cece calls.
“Me! Don’t forget me,” Herman says and puts down a dollar.
Darden waves his hands at Jasper. “Can someone turn off that awful music and put on the nature channel?”
