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“How do you—”
“You brought her here. That’s how I know.”
Nick led the room in singing “Happy Birthday” when the party moved to the kitchen for cake and ice cream, and then the birthday girl had a request. “Sing the Rosie song!” she told Nick.
He made his way to her high chair. “Absolutely, baby girl!”
“You sing too!” This was directed with much delight to Hayley.
“Sweetie,” Nick said, “I promised Hayley she didn’t—”
“I didn’t know what a super-cool little girl you were,” Hayley said, joining them. “Can you teach me, honey?”
“Uncle Nick knows all the words.”
Which brought everyone’s focus to Nick. “I make up the words,” he said. “And the melody’s kind of negotiable too. Except for the end.”
“Just sing it with her, and then I’ll give it a shot.” Hayley had laughter in her eyes. “I’m a professional.”
Nick pretended not to hear Mel snicker.
“Here we go, baby girl!” He started to sing. “Oh, this is Rosie’s birthday song, but it will not be very long, ’cause I would sing with her all day, but then we’d have no time to play!” A deep breath for the ending: “No matter what, it’s plain to see …”
“I love Uncle Nick, and Uncle Nick loves me!”
Their audience started clapping, Rosie started clapping, and Nick looked apologetically at Hayley as she started clapping. Rosie prompted Hayley gleefully. “Now your turn!”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Hayley stepped forward and started to sing. “Rose is my new birthday friend, and I don’t want this day to end, ’cause Rose is awfully nice to me, and I’m so glad she’s turning three!” Rosie joined in: “No matter what, it’s plain to see …”
“I love Hayley, and Hayley loves me!”
Nick was staring at Hayley, delighted and shaking his head in amazement, and Rosie had to wave her hand in front of his face to get his attention. He and Hayley gave high fives to the birthday girl before working their way back across the room. “Nicky,” Mel told him as they passed, “Rose definitely likes her better.”
“Don’t I know it,” Nick said wryly.
Gavin was handing out plates at the kitchen table. “Should’ve figured you’d prep a ringer,” he told Nick.
“Hey, I’m as surprised as you are,” Nick said. “She’s been holding out on us.”
“It’s not exactly a complicated song,” Hayley pointed out. She watched Nick beam at her. “What?”
Nick shrugged happily. “You can sing,” he said. “I didn’t know you could sing.”
32
The guests started leaving after they’d had their fill of food, and it wasn’t long before only Hayley and Nick were left with the Becketts in the kitchen. Rose stood in front of her high chair, covered in the remnants of her birthday treats.
“All right, little girl,” Mel said. “Time to get you washed up and into some clean clothes.”
“I can do that.” Gavin picked up his daughter. “Mommy ran the party, after all.”
“Thanks, Gav.” Mel looked at Nick. “While he’s doing bath time, maybe you can see what you can do with the box I saw my husband take upstairs from your car.”
Nick brightened. “That is an excellent idea.” His eyes narrowed. “And an excellent ploy to separate me from Hayley so you can turn her against me while I’m gone.”
Hayley shrugged. “She can’t make me like you less than I already do.”
“Uh-huh,” he said. “I knew it. You were in it for the cake.”
