“Sushi!” She looked at Ellie. “Don’t you love sushi so much? Like,sooomuch?”
“It’s my fave!” Ellie shouted.
“So, Abbi, would you be happy if that’s where we’re going?”
Her eyes lit up. “Yes!”
I laughed again and reached for Ellie’s cheek, which I held in my hand. “Sounds like you’re going to be very happy then, Abbi.”
“We’re going for sushi!” Abbi announced.
“I know you’re happy about it, baby,” I said to Ellie.
“Yes, Daddy!”
I didn’t think they could get any louder, but as soon as I turned my back, they did.
“Sorry, Paul,” I said softly as I leaned toward the front seat.
He smiled. “Doesn’t bother me one bit.”
While more cheering erupted from the back, I kept my voice at a whisper when I said to Sophie, “I booked us the private room.”
“What?” She tucked her hair back. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“And it might be decorated in a princess theme.”
Her jaw dropped. “Tell me you’re joking?”
“And don’t worry, the drinks you’re going to see on the table, served in champagne flutes, are a special concoction our bartender has been working on for me. Mocktails, of course, and the glitter is edible.”
“I cannot believe what I’m hearing right now.” She squeezed my fingers. “I understand spoiling—trust me, I do. But this is beyond that.”
It was a special evening for all of us. I was going to make sure none of us forgot it.
“Baby, Ellie only flies private. A princess-themed dinner at one of our restaurants is nothing compared to jet fuel.”
Her eyes went wide. “I don’t even know what to say …”
I lifted her hand, and when I was sure the girls weren’tlooking, I kissed the back of it. “Just wait until you move in. It’s going to get worse.”
“No.”
“Yes.” I winked.
Paul pulled into the back lot of the restaurant, and once he came to a stop, I climbed out of the SUV, helping Sophie to the ground before I assisted the girls.
The hostess was already at the private door, holding it open for us. “Mr. Weston, it’s a pleasure to see you.”
“And you,” I said, holding my arm out so the three ladies could walk in before me.
The hostess took us through a short hallway and halted at the doorway of the closed-off room, gazing at the two little ones. “I hear there’s a very special occasion we’re celebrating.” She ducked her head so she could be more eye level with them. “And it has something to do with princesses. Is that right?”
“Yes!” Abbi sang. “We love princesses! And pink!”
“My God,” Sophie groaned to me. “They’re such girlie girls.”
I slipped my arm behind her, rubbing soft circles across her lower back. “They’re perfect.”
