Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Thank you so much, Marisol.”
“Not a problem,” the other woman said warmly. “Enjoy your wedding. Hope to see you all at the spa sometime.”
She left after saying goodbye to the others who were all giggling as they set up for a dance party. Everyone knew that Ari would out dance them, but they’d have fun letting her teach them some moves.
“Marisol seems really sweet,” Gigi said.
“She is. I think she works a lot though,” Eden said. “Every time I’m at the spa she’s there and I know she works there most days. Her aunt owns the place. I just hope she’s not exploiting her.”
How could anyone exploit someone so nice as Marisol? She hoped that wasn’t the case either.
“Come on, Charlie, get that gunk off and join the others.” Gigi stood with an excited bounce, reaching out a hand to Charlie. Someone put on a popular song and the others were off, dancing with their crazy moves.
After Charlie had washed her face and settled back on the couch, Ellie opened the big container she’d brought with her. She pulled out bubble wands and confetti shooters. She set one off, shooting confetti over the others as they danced. They all squealed.
Daisy grabbed a bubble wand, blowing through it, sending bubbles washing over Eden and Charlie. Eden tried to pop them all, smiling as she did it.
“Let’s dance!” Ellie moved her arms around in the air. “Ari, show us some moves.”
Arianna gave them all a shy smile. “All right.”
The others all got up except for Caley, Eden and Charlie.
“I have two left feet though,” Caley complained as Daisy held out a hand to her.
“It will be fun. You can just follow along. No one cares. Pretty sure Ellie will do her own thing anyway.”
They all laughed as Ellie twirled with the bubble wand, sending a wave of bubbles behind her.
“Ellie! Pass me some more confetti shooters,” Eden called out.
Ellie grabbed a handful, bringing them over to Eden, who started popping them one after the other.
Clint was going to kill them when he saw this mess. Ahh, well, it was her party. Charlie grabbed a couple, firing them out as the others tried to follow Ari’s moves. As predicted, Ellie went off on her own direction, twirling in another circle.
“Ellie is going to make herself sick,” Eden said.
Charlie nodded just as Daisy came over to grab another handful of candy. Uh-oh. She shared a look with Eden who just grinned and shook her head. “I’m not gonna try to cut her off. You need to go join in. This is your party. I’m happy watching and taking some photos, although I wouldn’t mind some more confetti shooters. Might as well give Clint something to grumble about.”
Charlie giggled then popped up to grab some more of the shooters for Eden. As she passed them back to her, Eden grasped hold of her hand. Charlie leaned in to hear what she was going to say.
“I’m really glad you’re joining our family, sister.”
Charlie blinked back tears then she wrapped her arms around Eden’s neck. “Me too, sister.”
“Now go, have fun.”
Charlie raced off into the middle of the dance party. She didn’t know how long she danced for, but she was feeling puffed and sweaty when she noticed Ellie stumble.
“Ellie!”
“Urgh!” Ellie yelled, falling against her. Charlie giggled as she tried to hold her friend up and they landed in a heap on the floor.
“Group hug!” Daisy said and they all dived in.
“Stay there! I’ll take a photo,” Eden told them. Charlie laughed as everyone piled around her.
“Eden, you need to be in here too,” Charlie told her.
“Wait. Wait.”
She turned her head to watch Eden position herself in front of them. Then she held her phone out for a selfie, with herself in the foreground and the rest of them in the background.
“Candy!” they cried together, erupting into giggles once more.
A throat clearing had her turning her head to look back. Clint stood there, hands on hips, a frown on his face but she could see the twinkle in his eyes.
“What are you all doing?” he demanded.
“Group hug!” Charlie told him.
He shook his head. “Pizza’s ready. You all need to get something in your bellies besides sugar. Especially you.” He pointed at Daisy, who was looking rather ill as Caley helped her stand. She nodded her head.
“Right, all of you into the kitchen. Eden, take them with you.”
They all followed Eden out, chatting together and Clint bent down to pick Charlie up.
“Having fun, little darling?” he asked as he placed her on his hip.
“The best, Daddy.”
He grunted, looking around. “It’s a mess in here, want to explain that?”
“Umm. Confetti monster?”
“That so?”
“Yep. He snuck in, threw up confetti everywhere and then ran off. Such a naughty confetti monster.”
Clint just grinned and shook his head as he carried her from the room. “Yes, confetti monsters can be very naughty. So can a bunch of Littles who’ve been eating too much sugar without supervision.”