“What’s cool?” Amelia interrupted, barreling down the stairs.
“There’s the birthday girl!” Daisy shrieked. “I was just telling Nani how cool your birthday party is going to be.”
She squealed, “I can’t wait to see it!”
“It’s awesome.”
Daisy looked at her daughter reverently and smoothed her long brown hair. “I cannot believe you are nine years old. Where the heck does the time go?”
“Tell me about it,” her mother grumbled from behind her.
“It felt like I was just rocking you to sleep yesterday, and now you’re almost as tall as your Nani.”
“Time,” her mother exclaimed, “a wicked thief.”
“Indeed,” her father said, coming into the room. “And before you know it, she’ll be twenty-seven with a kid of her own, then you’ll feel really old.”
“You’re not old, Grandpa. You’re just… more refined.”
“And that is why you’re my favorite grandchild.”
Amelia giggled and rolled her eyes. “I’m your only grandchild.”
He shrugged and grabbed his jacket. “So, are we ready to head out to this pirate party?”
Amelia spent the car ride to Jameson’s house walking her grandparents through a scene-by-scene overview ofThe Goonies. Daisy wished she could’ve captured her father’s puzzled face in the rearview mirror or her mother anxiously biting her thumbnail as Amelia enthusiastically described Chunk riding in on Sloth’s back to save his friends.
Daisy, on the other hand, spent the ride trying desperately to be attentive for Amelia but failing miserably as they drew closer. Her mind wrapped itself around last night, what they’d done… and not just once. She had let him rule over her body with care and the type of authority that didn’t demand anything in return. How was she supposed to face him when, just a few hours ago, she had experienced one of the most intimate nights of her life?
She picked at a loose thread on her skirt until it unraveled into a small, frayed knot. Her stomach twisted tighter with every turn toward his street. Every memory of last night pressed against her ribs, demanding to be felt.
The moment they entered his driveway, any guest would be immersed in a different world. The very one her daughter had dreamed up. Costumes were optional, but Amelia had insisted that her family look the part. So, yes, they were all dressed as pirates, including her father, which was both a sight and a welcome distraction.
“You okay, honey?” her mother asked, turning from the passenger seat. “You’ve sure been quiet back there.”
Daisy looked up from the thread she’d been fixated on. “I’m fine. Hard to get a word in with this one.” She poked at Amelia,who didn’t even notice. Her daughter was mesmerized by the entrance of the house. It was like walking into a cave where adventure and mystery awaited.
As the car came to a stop, Amelia opened the door and ran toward the house. Her mother inquired again, “You sure you’re good, Daisy?”
“Yes, Mom,” she said, too sternly. “Are you?”
Her mother squinted and smiled. “Just peachy.”
That single word called her back to several hours prior, before she and Jameson had—
“Shall we?” Daisy cut in quickly, forcing her mind to quiet.
After retrieving the cake from the trunk, the four of them entered Jameson’s home. While Daisy wasn’t at all surprised by the extravagance of the party since she had been the one to plan it, seeing Amelia’s face go from shocked to awestruck made every late-night bow and balloon worth it.
“Pretty great, huh?”
“It’s everything I wanted! Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome, honey. It’s going to be a fun day.”
Her daughter nodded eagerly.
“Daddy!” Amelia spotted Jameson emerging from the kitchen, talking to Margot. He smiled wide and bent to her level as she barreled into him.
