Page 284 of Manhattan Bossholes

“You’re telling me you don’t keep on top of the latest and greatest princess toy trends?” Stacy teased.

Trent smirked. “I’ve been surprisingly lax about it. But in all honesty, Dominic has us all on strict present restrictions. He went through a long custody battle with his ex, and Hailey ended up being a little too spoiled during that process. I think he was feeling bad. Now that everything’s settled, he’s realized her playroom is exploding.”

“Divorces are tough on kids,” Stacy said. “I’m not surprised he tried to find other ways to compensate.”

“He sounds like a great dad,” I said.

Trent nodded in agreement. “He actually had her pick out a bunch of her old toys and donate them. He’s trying to instill some good values in her. But he said there were a lot of tears when parting with some headless Barbies.”

I snorted, and Stacy nodded sympathetically. “Those are always the most loved.”

“Really?” Trent asked.

“I think we all had a headless Barbie,” Stacy said. “It’s like a rite of passage.”

“Not me,” I said.

Stacy rolled her eyes. “Because you were probably whittling your own doll out of wood.”

We pulled up in front of a luxury high-rise building. Trent greeted the doorman by name, and we were directed up to the roof, the three of us taking the elevator. A large sign board that read HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAILEY hung by the entrance to the rooftop terrace. The space was enclosed in glass, a few of the braver guests venturing out to the balcony to take in the chilly view.

“You’re here!”

I whirled around, spotting Dominic. He had a lopsided party hat on his head and a gaggle of giggling preschoolers chasing after him.

“Uncle Trent!” a little girl cried. I assumed this was Hailey. She ran over, throwing herself around Trent’s legs. “Is that for me?” She pointed to the present in Trent’s arms.

“It’s definitely for you.”

Hailey cheered. “So many presents!”

“Hailey,” Dominic said, exasperated.

“It’s okay,” Trent said, clapping him on the shoulder. “She’s allowed to be excited. It’s her birthday.”

“I’m just trying to control the chaos.”

Trent grimaced at a horde of squealing preschoolers, nodding in solidarity. “Better you than me.”

“I don’t know if controlling the chaos is possible today,” Stacy said.

Dominic beamed at her. “I’m really glad you came.”

“Me too.” She handed over the garment bag. “This is for Hailey.”

He took it. “Give it to her with me?”

“Sure,” Stacy said, wandering off with Dominic.

Trent turned over his shoulder to look at me. “So there’s definitely something happening with them, right?” He gestured after Dominic and Stacy.

“Definitely,” I said, taking his hand. We walked across the terrace Dominic had reserved for the afternoon. The entire space was done up with streamers and balloons, and despite Dominic’s protests, there was a long table loaded with presents. We added ours to the pile.

Another crowd of little girls went racing by us, streaming over toward a magician who had started crafting balloon animals. Trent made a face, and I laughed softly, squeezing his hand.

“Looks like Dominic rented out all the entertainers in town,” I said.

“I don’t know how else you’d corral the kids,” Trent said, dead serious. We made our way to the other side of the terrace, where there was a space for the adults to gather with drinks and food—close enough to step in if needed, but far enough away to be able to enjoy themselves without the kids being right underfoot.