“Ah, and how is your favorite daughter?”
“You know she’s my only daughter, Ryan.”
“Doesn’t mean she’s not your favorite,” I said. “What does little Cassidy want?”
“A sleepover for her damn birthday.”
I threw my head back in my office chair and laughed.
“Oh man. That’s going to be rough. You going to let the girls put glitter in your hair?”
“It’s a tea party theme. I’m just hoping to make it out alive,” Paul said.
“Better you than me. Put some towels down. The kids will be okay.”
“Easy for you to say. You've never seen Cassidy’s tea parties. They’re more like hostage situations.”
I chuckled into the phone as I kicked my feet up onto my desk.
“I take it you’re calling to invite Zoey?”
“Of course. Cassidy wants her best friend there. Benjamin and Hunter are welcome to come, too,” Paul said.
“You want the boys to come to a tea party?” I asked.
“Actually, I was thinking the boys and I could hide from the girls and eat pizza while watching the football game that night. But that’s just me.”
“Hunter and Benjamin have no idea how football works.”
“Neither do you. Doesn’t stop you from coming over and eating all my chicken wings.”
“Right you are. When is it?” I asked.
“This Saturday night.”
“Well, assuming none of the kids come home with anything, count them all in. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to spend time with Cassidy and the boys will be happy to eat all your pizza.”
“And drink tea.”
“You’re really not giving those kids tea are you?” I asked.
“Nope. Apple juice. And sugar-free treats.”
“Wow. You really hate tea parties. That sounds like an awful idea.”
“You want to come babysit ten small girls buzzed on their sugar highs?”
“Sounds like a ring of Hell I don’t want to experience,” I said.
“Then sugar-free it is. I’ll come by and get the kids Saturday around lunch time. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like I need to pay you for all the work you’re going to do that night.”
“Everyone needs a break once in a while,” he said.
“I’ve been with the kids for a month. I hardly need a break.”
“Just let me take the damn kids, Ryan. Cassidy’s barking up my leg about seeing everyone again.”