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“Hi, I’m Erin.”
“Oh, yes, it’s good to see you, Erin,” Christine says with a big smile.“Thanks for bringing Holly.Aurora just adores her.”
“So do I.What can I help with?”
“Nothing right now.We’re just serving a light snack before the cake so the girls don’t end up with too much of a sugar high.Come on, you can join the other moms.”
“I’m not?—”
“Close enough,” she interrupts.“Would you like something to drink?I have lemonade and bottled water.”
“I’d love a lemonade.”I’m suddenly as nervous as I always was on the first day of school.What if these people don’t like me?
“Everyone, this is Erin.Most of you probably know her,” Christine says.“I’m going to grab her a drink.”
Everyone smiles and says hello.
So far, everyone is warm and welcoming, and none of their faces register any kind of mean girl tendencies, so I relax a little and take a seat next to a beautiful blonde.
“I’m Abbi,” she says with a smile.“My daughter is Daisy, the one who claimed she just had to be flight attendant Barbie.”
I follow her gaze and smile when I see the little girl playing with Holly and Aurora.
“She’s beautiful.Personally, I always loved that Barbie.”
“Isn’t this party great?”Abbi asks.“I mean, that photo booth is ingenious.I never would have thought of it.”
“The best part about it,” Christine adds as she passes me my drink, “is that it raises and lowers, so we can all be Barbies, too.”
“That’s always been my dream,” I reply, making the others laugh and setting myself more at ease.“This is maybe the cutest party I’ve ever been to, and I have been to alotof birthday parties.How did you come up with it?”
“I’d like to say that it was all my idea, but I used Pinterest.”
“Fair enough.”
“Excuse me, ladies, while I go check on the snacks.”Christine walks into the house, and I smile over at Abbi.
“I’m surprised that I haven’t run into you before this.I’m usually the one to pick Holly up from school and stuff.”
“Oh, Daisy and I just moved to town a few weeks ago,” she replies.“I’m a single mom, and I needed a fresh start, if I’m being totally honest.”
“I get it.I’ve only been here for about six months or so, and it was the best move I ever made.Everyone in Bitterroot Valley is so nice.”
“I’m discovering that.”Abbi grins and watches her daughter with the other kids.“How long have you and Holly’s dad been married?”
“Oh, we’re not.We’re seeing each other, but we’re not married.I’m the nanny.Is that weird?”I cover my face in embarrassment and peer out between my fingers.
“No, it sounds like a juicy story that I want to hear,” she says with a laugh.
“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but eavesdrop.”I look over to see a woman smiling at us.“I’m Bella, Simone’s mom, and I’ve known the Wild family all my life.Did you say you’re seeing Remington?”
“Yes?”I don’t know for sure if this is a trick question.
“Well, it’s about damn time someone scooped that man up,” Bella says and raises her glass to mine.“He is one hot tamale.”
“You’re not wrong.”I laugh and search the yard for Holly, relieved when I see her playing with other girls at a ring toss game.“Heishot.And he’s a really good dad.Why is that so sexy?”
“Because not all dads are good,” Abbi says ruefully.“So, when theyare, it’s hot as hell.”
