Best Laid Plans (The Best Girls 4)

“Of course I do—it’s true.”

“Whatever you say, my little F.W.K.B. I’m seriously pumped about going on the ski trip. Are you sure I don’t have to pay anything? Even my plane ticket is paid for?”

“Well, yes. Because we’re all going on Steven’s jet.”

“Awesome! That’s so rad! Don’t worry, I won’t fall in love with you. I’m in love with your stepfather.”

“I didn’t even ask if you could actually ski. I assumed so because you made the mogul comment.”

“I’m good. But don’t fret about it—I’ll wait for you at the bottom.”

“I don’t suppose you’d like to make a wager on who’s a better skier?”

“Hmmm... I seem to remember you saying you lived in Colorado before you came here. So I’m going to go with answer B. No. And that’s my final answer.”

“You have chosen wisely,” she said, in her best Monty Python and the Holy Grail voice. “And you’re okay with the huge group that’s going, including three two-year-olds and a nine-year-old, all staying in one big house?”

“The last time I went skiing, there were seven guys sleeping in a one bedroom condo. I think I can handle the crowd.”

“And the kids?”

“I don’t know much about babies, but my step-brother is ten, and we get along great. Seriously, Charlie. I can’t believe you asked me to go, and I can’t believe Steven Gherring is paying for it. I swear to you, I won’t complain about anything.”

When Charlie hung up, she felt great about inviting Derek. He’d be fun to have around. And he seemed enthusiastic about helping convince Olivia she was interested in him instead of Josh. Maybe a bit too enthusiastic. But all in all, she’d made a good decision.

“Hey, kids. You want to help me make chocolate chip cookies?”

As always the three were enthusiastic about any new adventure, so there was a lot of running and jumping and screaming involved in heading toward the kitchen. She made sure all their hands were washed clean before letting them help her measure and mix the cookie dough. The entire process took about three times as long as usual, and they lost interest before all the ingredients had been added. But they had a good time emptying the pots and pans from the drawer and climbing inside.

She’d just put the first batch in the oven when she heard a knock at the door. Baffled, she ran to answer it.

“Grace!” she exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. “Did you have a great time on your trip? I can’t believe you came to see me.”

Before Grace could answer, a scream sounded in the kitchen. Charlie hurried in to find Chloe crying. Charlie scooped her up and examined the finger she held out. “Did you hurt your finger?”

“No! Ew-wis did it!” she answered, as a huge tear rolled down her rosy cheek.

“Oh, no! How many kisses does it need? Two? Or Three?”

“Thwee!”

Charlie placed three flourishing kisses,

“One! Two! Three!” Then she started kissing her neck, “Four! Five!” And she kissed down onto her tummy, “Six, Seven!” Soon Chloe’s tears had become hysterical giggles.

As she put her down on the floor, Ellis and Micah came over. “Do me! Do me!” they demanded. She proceeded to kiss them on their tummies until they rolled on the floor with laughter.

She stood up and dusted off her hands, smiling at Grace, who’d followed her into the kitchen. “Crisis averted,” she said.

Grace stared at the adorable blond-headed girl. “Is that Chloe? What’s she doing here?”

“Yeah. You met her already?”

“We met her last night at Josh’s. He was trying to explain about the custody thing.”

“It’s terrible, isn’t it? I mean the timing’s really awful. Now he’s having to rush things with Olivia.”

Grace chose her words carefully, watching Charlie’s reactions. “Yes. And I think it’s a terrible idea.”