Page 44 of Match Me If You Can (Chicago Stars 6)

“You’re an angel of mercy,” he said.

“I don’t know what we’d have done without you.”

“It was fun.” Well, the last twenty minutes anyway, when there’d been some action with the piñata and at least a faint potential for bloodshed.

“Princesses!” Phoebe called from the cake table. “I know we all want to thank our fairy godmother for taking time out of her busy schedule to be with us today. Princess Molly, we loved your story so much, and Princess Hannah, everyone appreciated all the hugs you gave out.” Her voice dropped to that coo he’d come to dread. “As for Prince Heath …We’re so glad he could help us with the piñata. Who knew his talent for battering things would come in so handy?”

“Brother…,” Molly muttered. “She really does hate your guts.”

Half an hour later, a group of tired princesses headed home with giant goody bags stuffed full of treats for themselves, as well as for their brothers and sisters.

“It was a very nice party,” Hannah said from the front step as the bus disappeared. “I was worried.”

Phoebe looped her arm around her daughter’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head, just behind her tiara. “You made everybody feel right at home.”

And what about me? Heath wanted to say. He couldn’t see that he’d gained an inch of ground with her, even though he’d cleared tables, taken photos, and dealt with the piñata, all without making a single phone call or catching one lousy inning of the Sox game.

Annabelle braced her hand on the porch railing and wiggled out of her fai

ry godmother dress. “I’m afraid it has some grass stains and a punch spill, so I don’t know if you’ll be able to use it again.”

“One Halloween was enough,” Molly replied.

“Thanks so much, Annabelle.” Phoebe gave her the genuine smile she didn’t offer him. “You were a perfect fairy godmother.”

“I loved every minute. How are the twins feeling?”

“Sulky. I checked on them half an hour ago. They’re upset about missing the party.”

“I don’t blame them. It was quite a party.”

A cell rang. He automatically reached into his pocket, forgetting for an instant that he’d turned off his phone. He came up empty. What…?

“Hey, babe…,” Molly spoke into her own cell. “Yes, we survived, no thanks to you and Dan. Luckily, your valiant agent came to our rescue …Yes, really.”

He slapped his pockets. Where the hell was his BlackBerry?

“Wanna talk to Daddy!” Pippi squealed, reaching for Molly’s phone.

“Hold on a minute. Pip wants to say hi.”

Molly lowered the phone to her daughter’s ear. Heath headed for the backyard. Damn it! She couldn’t possibly have stolen two of them in one afternoon. It must have fallen out of his pocket when he was running around with the piñata.

He looked under the tree, in the grass, everywhere he could think of, and came up empty. She’d picked his pocket when he’d crouched down to talk to her.

“Are you missing something?” Phoebe cooed, coming up behind him. “A heart, perhaps?”

“My BlackBerry.”

“I haven’t seen it. But if I find it, I’ll be sure to let you know right away.” She spoke with all kinds of sincerity, but he suspected if she found it she’d toss it in her swimming pool.

“Much appreciated,” he said.

Annabelle and Molly had returned to the backyard, but Pippi seemed to have gone off with Hannah. “I’m exhausted,” Molly said, “and I’m used to being around kids. Poor Annabelle.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Studiously ignoring him, Annabelle began gathering up the paper plates.

Phoebe waved her off. “Leave everything. My cleaning service is coming by soon. While they work, I’m going to put my feet up and recover. I haven’t started the new book for the book club, and I have to make up for not finishing the last one.”

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