Page 19 (1/2)

"What party?" he asked

Elena paused "What party?" she repeated and stared as if he ought to know the answer "Zoe and Ari are turning thirty today Tonight we're throwing a surprise party at Paradeisos"

"We need you to be the decoy," Sa then of trauma from the incident earlier

"Decoy, huh? How do I do that?"

She tossed her long ponytail over one shoulder "I told you he's dense," she muttered, and then before anyone could reprimand her, she continued "You call Zoe, on the phone You know, a tel-e-phone Ask her on a date— "

"And then bring her to her aunt's diner again? Somehow I don't think she'd buy that as a real date," he said laughing "Noho's dense?" he asked, proud he'd one-upped Sairl blinked "Uh, the answer to that is still you Because what happens is that you're going to take her to this very fancy restaurant where you've et a frantic call fro you to turn around and coet Ari there at the sarand sweep of her arets there first? Or later?" he couldn't stop hi

"Then we yell surprise twice, of course"

"Of course"

"So now that you've helped with the furniture, what can we do for you, Mr Baldwin?" Elena asked

He cleared his throat "First, please callif I could steal Sam for an hour"

Sa The pig's allowed to stay Zoe said so" She uttered Zoe's na sister Saht she'd have

Meanwhile she stared at hi she held dear Which, he thought, wasn't far fro's fine I just thought that we could go for ice cream and I could ask you some questions" Deceit wasn't a comfortable fit for him and he tried to keep his answers as honest as possible

Elena nodded "That's a wonderful idea"

Salared "No matter what you say to me, I still want to be adopted and live here forever"

A slicing pain ripped through his gut "I understand what you want, Saet to know you better That's all"

"Can I get a sundae?" she asked

"If I say yes, will you come with me?"