Love's Recipe by Mila Nicks

Author:Mila Nicks [Nicks, Mila]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-05-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

On the morning of Maxie’s birthday, she woke with a scream. Nick’s heart slammed against his chest and he barreled up the stairs. In his haste he stumbled into her room already searching for the culprit. None was to be found. Maxie sat up against the pillows, long hair tangled and eyes crusty, blinking at him in shock. At her side at once, he thought up the worst scenarios.

“Papa, I’m six years old!”

His elevated heart rate plummeted. “Maxie kiddo, is that what you were screaming about?”

“I can’t believe it!” She slapped little hands to either cheek.

“I can. You’ve had a birthday every year, haven’t you? Why so shocked this year?” He sat down on the edge of her twin-sized bed and brushed stray, uncombed strands from her face. For weeks now they had talked about her birthday; she had given him a list of wants for the party. He couldn’t pinpoint what would bring a sudden bout of amnesia.

“But I’ve never been six before!”

“Good point. You’re only six once.”

“Can we have chocolate chip pancakes?”

“What kinda house d’you think this is?” Nick asked to her widening eyes. He rose to his feet and plucked her from underneath the covers. “We’re having double chocolate chip pancakes—and extra maple syrup!”

Maxie’s cheers rang through the house.

A half hour later, the father and daughter sat down for their stacks of double chocolate chip pancakes, complete with extra maple syrup and tall glasses of milk. He was chuckling at the sight of Maxie smudging syrup on her chin when the doorbell trilled. He made her promise to sit still as he answered the door. He expected door-to-door salespeople or his pesky old neighbor, Ms. Swanson; she routinely forgot the password to her Wi-Fi.

Opening the door, he received a jolt of delight. Rosalie stood on his stoop alongside an impatient Remi. Again, he was reminded how much they looked alike. Even their hair was styled the same, combed into puffy buns at the tops of their heads. Perched in front were crowns—a queen and her princess daughter.

Nick grinned wide. “Morning, your majesties.”

“Morning, peasant!” Remi giggled.

“Peasant? Ouch!”

“Remi,” Rosalie sighed, bringing a slow hand to her forehead. “How many times do I have to tell you not to call people peasant? A good princess doesn’t make people feel bad, remember?”

“I forgot.” Remi fought a smirk, lips retaining a tell-tale curl that revealed the real truth.

Nick couldn’t help his laugh. No wonder Maxie and Remi got along so well; Remi had a mischievous little spark of her own. He stepped aside and ushered the two inside. He tried not to stare for long, but Rosalie looked gorgeous.

The gown she wore was a soft primrose yellow. The bust was fitted and heart-shaped in cut, but modest enough for a children’s Halloween party. The silk organza skirt flowed to the floor in subtle layers. If Remi was Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, Rosalie was Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Did that make him…?

He was going to be dressed as a werewolf, after all.

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