“Are we going to stand here all day, or are we going to go in?”
My gaze shifted past Nicole to Betsy, one hand on a cocked hip, the other wrapped around Sierra’s slim shoulders. Near her stood the rest of the sewing girls along with Ben and his daughter, Chloe. Funny that I hadn’t noticed any of them pull up or get out of their cars.
One of Nicole’s brows rose. “I didn’t realize this had become a group event.”
Molly bent down and let Chloe climb up on her back for a piggyback ride. “My fault. Ben found out about your plans and mentioned them to me, and I thought it sounded like a nice break from wedding planning and mentioned the outing to Jocelyn.”
“And I wasn’t about to miss seeing our Nicole here with a gun in her hands.” Amanda tightened her ponytail.
“Gun?” Nicole squeaked.
I flashed Amanda a look, and Jocelyn leaned over and said the words marching through my brain. “Not helping.”
“It’s just laser tag,” I said in an unaffected voice. Maybe some of my calm and nonchalance would rub off on Nicole. “It’s not like you or Sierra will run off to join the NRA after a single game of laser tag.”
“Mom?” Sierra’s voice pulled Nicole’s slightly dazed eyes around. Sierra looked unsure, as if maybe this whole thing had been a bad idea and they should just leave.
If I had to guess, I’d say it was that hesitancy that gave Nicole the strength to push her shoulders back and stare the fun house in the eye…er, front door.
“Let’s do this,” she said, like she was a marine about to infiltrate an enemy compound instead of a mom on a mission to show her daughter how to have a good time.
“You heard the woman.” I swept my arm in a long arc, pointing at the entrance. “Move out.”
“You’re hilarious,” Nicole deadpanned.
I grinned at her. “I’m glad to see you’re beginning to notice my charms.”
She scoffed, but a snicker bubbled out behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I locked eyes with Sierra and tossed her a co-conspirator wink. Amanda and Jocelyn exchanged knowing glances, but I pretended not to notice.
The scent of greasy pizza and birthday cake mingled in the air as soon as we entered. The pinging and music from the arcade games attacked our hearing as the neon lights and flashing bulbs assaulted our eyes. Stimuli for every sense.
“A unicorn!” Chloe squealed. “Daddy, look. They have a unicorn. Can I ride it?”
Sure enough, over in the corner was a small carousel-type, coin-operated, ride-on unicorn.
“We’ll meet up with you guys after your laser tag game.” Ben scooped Chloe off Molly’s back, causing the four-year-old to squeal again, and settled her on his shoulders before galloping across the room to the horned pony.
“Have fun.” Molly hip-checked Nicole, then followed after her fiancé and his daughter.
“Okay, so how should we divide up the teams?” Amanda asked.
“Sierra should be a team captain,” Jocelyn said.
Ringing from an arcade game rent the air, and we all paused until it stopped.
“I want Mr. Drew on my team.” Sierra pointed at me.
Nicole gaped in mock horror at her daughter. “You’re choosing him over your own mother? I gave you life!”
Sierra giggled. “Sorry, Mom, but I kind of want to win.”
Everyone laughed, and Nicole shrugged. “That’s fair, I guess.”
I nudged Sierra with my elbow. “Who else do you want on your team?”
Her gaze roamed past Nicole and Jocelyn and vacillated between Amanda and Betsy. Under her breath I caught her whisperingEeny, meeny, miny, mo.
“I choose Amanda,” she finally declared.
