Page 16 of Tiffanie

“Oh, you’re good,” Tiffanie said.

“Marmalade and I are becoming quite the team,” Zander said with a laugh. “I’ll grab the top so no one stumbles. Have some punch. It really is great.”

Tiffanie shook her head as she picked up a cup. Might as well taste his favorite recipe. “Mmm. This is good.”

Returning to her chair, Tiffanie kept an eye out for other strange happenings. Maybe she missed other daring escapades, but the shenanigans seemed to have ended. The kids had a great time. The girls slid off their shoes within the first fifteen minutes, bemoaning how uncomfortable high heels were. Watching them barefoot and wearing tiaras, Tiffanie reminded herself how fun life could be, especially if headpieces were involved. She needed to find her joy again. Phineas’s handsome face popped into her mind. Yeah, she needed to enjoy herself too.

Stretched out on her bed a few hours later, Tiffanie dove into the second book Phineas had suggested for her. As she read, Tiffanie wondered what kind of Daddy Phineas wanted to be. Strict and spanky? Gentle and spoiling?

She bit her bottom lip as she imagined Phineas in those different roles. The funny thing was Tiffanie could picture him in both profiles. The attitude she couldn’t imagine Phineas adopting was belittling or angry. That kind of Daddy wouldn’t be right for her.

Her phone buzzed. Using his business card, Tiffanie marked her place and checked the screen. Speak of the devil. Phineas.

“Hey, you,” Tiffanie said.

“Hi, Princess. I hope I’m not calling at a bad time.”

“Not at all. I’m home from helping at the sweet sixteen party. I’ve been reading the second book you recommended. It’s good. I’m already invested in the story.”

“Awesome. I thought you’d like it. I called to see if I could steal you away to my place tomorrow.”

“We’re going to watch a movie, right?”

“That was my plan, but I’m flexible if you have another idea.”

“Oh, no. I love films. That’s fun. Could we see the show in the afternoon? I wear out pretty fast in the evening.”

“Of course. We can build in some nap time as well for you. All Little girls need their rest.”

“You don’t want me to sleep through our visit,” Tiffanie said quickly. She’d already conked out on him once.

“As long as we’re together, Princess, I’m happy. Who knows? I might need a rest too.”

A picture of Phineas wrapped around her as she snoozed popped into her mind. Instantly, she wanted to experience this. She squeezed her thighs together as intimate heat gathered and her heart rate rose.

“Tiffanie? Did I lose you?” Phineas’s voice pulled her out of the delicious daydream.

“Sorry, something flew past the window and distracted me,” she lied.

“So I’ll pick you up at ten?”

“PM?” she squeaked. Had he not heard what she said?

“AM, Princess. You sleep in. I’ll come to get you at ten in the morning, and we’ll hang out and take in a movie or two between rest and naps. Does that plan appeal to you?

“That’s like the whole day. You’re going to get tired of me.”

“Never, Little girl.”

“You sound very sure of that, Phineas.”

“I am sure. I’m just giving you time to catch up.”

Suddenly, she couldn’t wait until tomorrow. “Sounds like fun.”

“I agree. Remember to bring Biff with you. I want to impress him.”

Phineas remembered her stuffie’s name. That was amazing. “He’s looking forward to meeting you officially.” She figured Phineas had tucked her teddy bear into her arms when he’d placed her in bed.