Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(8)

“Yeah.” I nod a bunch of times and tip my head back so I can get the last few drips of water from the glass.

“Are you sure? I mean, you haven’t broken out in hives in years.”

“It’s a two-hour party. I’ll survive it.”

“Message if you need me, okay?”

I nod and rush back out to the party. I find Gavin in the middle of the kids, wearing an ill-fitting tutu around his waist, pretending to grant wishes. It shouldn’t be a surprise. When I used to be Peyton’s nanny, he would often wear her cute tutu skirts on his head to make her laugh.

“Thanks for holding down the fort. I can take it from here, if you want,” I say as I make my way through the throng of excited kids toward him.

“I feel like you’re the more appealing fairy godmother.” He passes me his wand and gives me a somewhat-chagrined smile. Then he joins the other adults in the adult tent, minus the tutu.

I spend the next two hours immersed in the excitement of eight-to eleven-year-olds. Their enthusiasm helps take the edge off my anxiety. I try to split my time among the kids evenly, helping where I’m needed, and focusing on Claire, the birthday girl. But it’s hard not to steal glances at Peyton every so often.

We decorate edible wands and paint individual photo frames, play games in the field, and finally sit down for pizza, subs, salad, cake, and presents. At the end of the party, each child gets their own gift bag, complete with their edible wand, and a picture of the party tucked into their frame. They’re happy, tired kids and it’s been a great afternoon, although bittersweet knowing it’s the last time I get to do this.

Gavin hangs back with Peyton while the rest of the parents gather their children and head out. “You sure haven’t lost your knack with kids. That was amazing.”

Peyton holds onto her dad’s arm, a wide smile on her face. “That was the best birthday party ever! Can we have my next birthday here? And costumes like this one?”

“We have half a year before your birthday, and you’re already looking to plan your party?” Gavin asks with an amused smile.

Peyton props her fist on her hip. “It’s already July, next is Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, and then I’ll be ten!”

“Wow! I can’t believe you’re already nine years old! The last time I saw you, I could still carry you on my hip, just like my niece, Ella!” I fight a cringe and the urge to scratch my arm. The last thing I need to do is bring up the past. “Anyway, if you’re serious about the party, I’m sure we could plan something fun.” I probably shouldn’t be promising things like this when this is supposed to be my last birthday party, but I can beg for forgiveness later.

“Can we, please, Dad?” She clings to Gavin’s arm and bounces up and down.

“I’m sure we can work something out.”

Peyton’s bright smile turns down at the corners. “I don’t have a lot of friends here yet, though.”

“You’ll make lots of new friends as soon as the school year starts, kiddo,” Gavin reassures her.

Peyton nods and looks to me. “Dad says I make friends wherever I go. I met three new friends today, and they’re all going to the same school as me and Claire. Hopefully by the time my birthday comes, I’ll have even more friends to invite.”

“You sound like my older sister Avery. She’s forever making new friends too.”

“I miss my old friends, but sometimes we have to embrace change and go on new adventures. Right, Dad?” It sounds like something her dad has repeated in order to help make the transition to her new home easier.

“That’s right, kiddo.” He ruffles her hair as she brings her hand to her mouth, yawning widely. “I should probably get you home, huh?”

“I might fall asleep in the car,” she warns.

“That’s okay. It’s been a busy day.” He gives her shoulder a squeeze.

He turns her in the direction of the parking lot, and she slips out from under his arm and grabs my hand. I guess I’m walking them out. She tugs me along as she regales me with all of her birthday party ideas.

When we reach his SUV, Peyton looks up at her dad. “Can we come back to Spark House again soon?” She turns back to me. “Maybe you can come over and see my new house. My bedroom is decorated with fairies and princesses. We could make magic cookie wands again!”

“Oh, uh, well, maybe we should get the rest of the house unpacked before we go inviting guests over.” Gavin gives me an apologetic, chagrined smile.

Peyton frowns. “But you said it’s going to take forever to unpack, and I don’t want to wait forever before I see Harley again.” Leave it to kids to be painfully unaware of the tension in the room.

“If we’re hosting your birthday party here, I’ll definitely get to see you before forever happens,” I tell Peyton, trying to let Gavin off the hook without feeling like I’m being personally snubbed.

Her lips twist and pull to the side. “I guess that’s true.”

Peyton climbs into the back seat and Gavin closes the door. He gives me another wry, uncertain smile. “I’m sorry about putting you on the spot like that.”

I wave off the comment. “No apology necessary. It’s great to see Peyton again.”

He nods and then pauses for a beat before he says, “Uh … I don’t know what your schedule is like, but maybe if you have some free time, Peyton and I could take you out for lunch? We could catch up?”