He gazes down at me warmly before wrapping an arm around my shoulders and hugging me tightly. “That sounds perfect. Just let me know numbers, and I’ll begin the preparations.”
“You’re the best, Smithy. Thank you.”
“Anything for you, Miss Octavia. How long until Miss Indi arrives? The bagel boats are nearly done.”
I practically drool at the sound of that. I don’t know what a bagel boat is, but I am here for it. I check my phone and see a message from Indi.
Indi:
On my way! Driving in pj’s is weird AF!
I laugh at the message and see it was sent a few minutes ago. “She’ll be here any second,” I tell him, and he smiles, nodding as he pulls the bagels from the oven.
My God, they smell divine.
The bagel bread is squished to the sides to make a little river inside, filled with egg, cheese, bacon, green onion and then topped with more cheese, baked until they’re gooey breakfast beautifulness.
I really am so very lucky to have him in my life, and not just because of the amazing food he keeps feeding me. Without him, I’d still be stuck with my aunt and uncle. I can’t think of a fate much worse.
The buzzer at the gate goes off, and I hit the button on my app to let Indi in. I do a little dance as I skip to the door.
“It’s dance day, bitches!” she squeals as she bounds up the stairs, her dress bag in hand. She hugs me tight before bouncing into the foyer.
“If you want to hang your dress in there,” I say, pointing to the security room, “Smithy is just serving up breakfast.”
“Smithy is a GOD! Is that what smells so good?”
“Yes, yes it is.” I grin and she drops her dress in the security room and runs past me into the kitchen. I hear her squeal again as she says hello to him and laugh softly as I hit the button to close the gate before following her.
We enjoy breakfast and the sparkling apple juice just in time for the mani-pedi girls to arrive. The morning of pampering is divine and I adore just how much Indi is loving it. She is my little ball of happiness, and I am here for it all.
When our mani-pedis are done, Smithy reappears. “Afternoon tea, anyone?”
He holds two cake tiers full of tiny cakes and sandwiches. It’s freaking adorable.
“You are my favorite person ever!” Indi beams at him as he brings the tiers in and places them on the coffee table. He disappears and returns with a tray of tea cups, a teapot, sugar cubes, and a little jug of cream.
“You didn’t have to do this!” I exclaim, though I am not so secretly loving it.
He just waves me off. “This is just an easy lunch. Enjoy, girls, let me know if you need me.”
“You can join us if you like,” I offer but he shakes his head.
“I’ve got a few errands to run, but I’m just at the end of the phone. I’ll be back before you leave for the dance.” He waves before heading back into the kitchen and we dig in.
“Dude, these tiny sandwiches are so soft.” Indi grins as she shoves another one in her mouth and I start laughing.
“I wouldn’t know. These tiny white chocolate and raspberry blondies are freaking divine and I don’t plan on sampling your adult food. Give me dessert or give me death.” I stuff another one in my mouth to prove my point. “You sure you wanna go to this thing tonight? I’m pretty sure Smithy will feed us all day long if we really want.”
“Hush,” she says, waving me off. “We are going to that dance, dammit. We are going to be the belles of the ball, and you are going to be queen.”
I groan at the thought, “Please do not tempt fate.”
“I can feel it in the air. Octavia Royal, Queen of Echoes Cove Prep.” She grins as I groan again.
Someone please save me.
* * *