Page 41 of The Lucky One

“Wait wait wait!” Gaby screeches, bursting out the side door of the cafe. She’s Luke’s sister so I’m not sure why she’s here, exactly.

“This is kind of a family meeting,” Laila says.

“I’m here to beg for a favor.” Gaby is breathing fast. “It’s hard to run in all these clothes.”

“Why do you look like Fiona from Shrek?” She’s painted green and I don’t envy getting all of that off later. “Or are you the Wicked Witch?”

“We only feature villains the week of Halloween and I make other people take those jobs.” Gaby smiles sweetly.

“So who’s Shrek?” I ask.

At this point, consider it a morbid curiosity.

Gaby gives me a pointed look. “I’ve only been kissed by frogs so far.”

“And that’s better than ogres, how?”

All three women turn to look at me. Maybe I’ve been around Weston too long already.

“At this point, I’d take an ogre if he gave foot rubs and had a personality. But I’m not here to talk about that.” She sighs, then holds up her phone. “You two are kind of popular this week. I had this cute skit planned to do before we make leprechaun traps, and I think we’ll get more turnout if you do it. Please.”

“She’s asking really nicely, Bridget. She’s usually much more demanding,” Ella says, trying to hold in her laughter.

“If you say yes, I’m videoing this. For posterity of course.” Laila smiles.

Ella takes a couple of steps forward and lays her hands on my shoulders. “In case you need help making the right choice, I can grab Lucy.”

“Don’t you dare use my niece against me,” I warn. “What’s in this for me?”

“You’re helping your family.” Ella glances over at Gaby then back at me. “Plus it's fun. How often do you get to play dress up as an adult?”

I point to my cup. “I came here to be aguest. Kiss the Blarney sheep.”

“It’ll just take a few minutes.” Gaby pleads.

As much as I’ve enjoyed my time with Weston this week, I’m glad my worlds are finally colliding. Although I have a feeling I’m going to regret whatever I’m about to agree to.

“Fine. But at least let me go warn Weston about what you three roped me into.”

“Um.” Gaby sucks in a breath. “He may have gotten roped in, too.”

Never mind. I’m definitely going to regret whatever this is.

“Once Upon a Time in a land of rolling green hills and endless mischief,” Gaby begins. “There was a charming, but terribly arrogant Irish prince.”

Weston strolls out from his hiding place, wearing a much too small green vest for his build, and a lopsided faux crown. Laughter bubbles up in my chest and I try to hold it together from where I’m hidden away, on the opposite side.

He flashes a smile that probably blinded half the audience and I realize I’m in sosodeep.

“We’re talking about this later,” Ella whispers in my ear as she tugs on my dress.

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

In the background, Gaby continues on with her altered version of The Frog Prince. One thing is for sure, she knows how to capture an audience. She’s a teacher, but I think storytelling comes to her naturally.

She lightly taps me on the arm. “Oh, Pinocchio, your nose is growing.”

“You’re such a mom now.”

---