"Oh yeah? And what would that look like?"
She goes on to explain her elaborate ideas, including but not limited to buffs, team challenges, a fire-starting competition, and voting people off "the island". We spend an hour brainstorming and talking about her ideas while we get ready and head over to the farmer's market. Her initial wishes included going to anactualisland for her party. I quickly brought her back down to reality with that request, but promised to throw her the most kick ass Survivor-themed birthday party she could ever imagine.
B
"Oh my goodness, I'm so excited! I can't feel my toes. How does my hair look?"
"Iris, this isn't your date. You know that, right?" Fia's tone is a mix of amusement and annoyance.
"I know. But what if I'm meeting my best friend’s husb?—"
I put my finger over Iris's mouth, and it stops moving, preventing her from finishing her thought. "I'm going to stop you right there. No talk of husbands. No talk of evendating. Or we'll make you sit in the car the whole time while we're here eating good food and having fun. Got it?"
"Got it," she bashfully mumbles into my finger. "Sorry. I just get so excited meeting new people."
I drop my hand and continue walking to the park entrance. "I know. That's why I brought you along. You're a wonderful social buffer,especially with kids."
"Thank you." I can't see her walking behind me, but I can hear in her voice that she's standing a little taller now.
I wish she didn't rely so much on the compliments of others to make herself feel good, but we can't all be me.
We walk a little further and enter the main area where the booths are set up. I scan the area, looking for Kass and Clover. "There they are. Iris, what are the rules again?"
"No talk of dating, husbands, or commitment. And pretend us running into them is a coincidence."
"Good girl."
Iris giggles, and I know why.
"B!" Clover's squeal draws the attention of several onlookers, but I don't see them staring for long because my gaze is fixed on a particularly handsome man holding her shoulders, so she doesn't launch at me like a wound-up toy.
Fuck, I thought he was hot in those sweatpants I left him in this morning, but the jeans he's wearing now and that shirt that hugs his sculpted body so perfectly have me salivating.
"Hey, Clover! So crazy running into you here." It comes out convincing enough for an eight-year-old.
When I get closer, Kass releases her, and she bolts at me, ramming into my legs and throwing her arms around me.
"This issocrazy! I was just thinking about you."
"Oh, were you?"
She pulls away from me and steps back into Kass, who is now standing right in front of me.
"Yeah! Dad was talking about my art, and I was telling him about the brush you gave me so I could do the little details on my flowers."
"I think there's an art supply stand around heresomewhere. Maybe we should go check out their brush selection."
"Yes!" She turns to Kass. "Please, Daddy, please! Can we walk around with B?"
"Sure, I don't mind."
"Hello there." Iris almost scares me half to death when she pops out from behind me. "I'm B's friend, Iris."
I introduce everyone, and we start walking around the market together. Iris and Clover are leading the pack, practically skipping through the crowd of people.
"So, how are you feeling today?" Kass's voice is soft in my ear, but he speaks loud enough so Fia can hear him.
"She's sore."
