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January 2 - January 11, 2024
We created you, yes. But your life is still yours.
When she didn’t answer, he took both of her hands, and she couldn’t ignore the rush of warmth that tingled through her when she met his eyes. There was no teasing glint to be found. Just pure determination when he told her, “Because Team Foster-Keefe is going to win.”
“Awww. I got you, Dexy,” Keefe said, wrapping his arms around Dex’s waist. “What? Was that not what you were hoping for?”
“Typical Foster, always knocking guys off their feet.”
Everyone looked to Sophie to go first—the wimps.
“Steaming sasquatch poop—that’s a long way to fall!” Keefe announced.
And then there was Keefe, who simultaneously endured the entire range of emotions—fists curled with fury, eyes watery, skin pale from shock, hands shaking with a nervous, almost hopeful energy. But when it was his turn to speak, he chose to move to where Sophie sat curled up in one of the armchairs and crouched down to her eye level to ask how she was doing.
She unfastened the pin and scooted closer, wrapping one arm—and part of the cape—around him so they could share. Tam snorted. “Guess we have to score one for Keephie.” Grady’s sigh had a whole lot of groan mixed in. “Wait.” Kesler glanced at Dex, who was shaking his head at his dad—hard. “Does that mean—” Juline elbowed him before he could finish the question. “My brother just likes to make trouble,” Linh said through the silence that followed. “And for once I don’t mind.” Keefe scooted even closer, resting his head on Sophie’s shoulder. She shoved him away, taking the cape with her. “And now
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“I know! Our little girl is growing up and getting so snarky!” Keefe pretended to wipe his teary eyes. “I’ve never been so proud.”
“And yet I sure seem to see a lot of Keefe these days….”
She pulled Grady into the embrace, and he reluctantly stretched an arm around Keefe. “Awww, it’s like I’m already part of the family,” Keefe said, earning a grumble.
“Mommy issues alert!”
“Awww, my girl keeps getting snarkier and snarkier,” Keefe said proudly. “I’m not your girl,” Sophie snapped back. “And don’t think I’m done being mad at you!” “Ohhh, a lovers’ quarrel!” Ro clapped her hands. “Those are my favorite. Anyone have snacks? I feel like we should have snacks for this.”
“Woo-hoo!” Ro said as Sophie headed for the door. “Bring on the skin melting! Things are finally getting interesting here in Sparkle Town!”
“I’m not some damsel in distress who needs you to swoop in—” “I know that, Foster. Believe me, I’m super aware of how powerful you are. And brilliant. And special. And—” “The sucking up’s getting a bit desperate,” Ro warned him.
“I assure you, I have no ulterior motive,” Bronte promised, turning back to the wall of windows. “I’m just an old fool longing for the past.” Sophie glanced at her friends, glad to see shock in their expressions, as if they were all thinking, Who is this stranger and what has he done with Councillor Bronte?
“Yeah, but… in a library.” Biana laughed. “It’s too bad Keefe isn’t here—you two could have a contest to see who whines the most.” “I’d win,” Keefe said from the doorway. Time seemed to stop—or maybe it was Sophie’s heart as she watched him stride into the room. Keefe managed not to look at her as he folded his arms and flashed his famous smirk, telling everyone, “That’s right—I’m back!”
Keefe shrugged. “I was going to go with ‘a sparkly poop head.’ ”
Ro studied her claws. “Do that, and I’ll make sure my dad retaliates.” “Really? That’s the best you can do? Run to Daddy?” Keefe asked. “Just because you have daddy issues doesn’t mean we all do.”
“See? That’s why I heart these kids,” Ro said. “They don’t just make threats—they mean them.”
“Oh good,” Ro said. “Now the Councillor is swearing. Totally seems like something your bodyguards should be kept in the dark about.”
adorable Foster-rage—it’s
“Awwwwww, is anyone else chanting Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! in their heads right now?” Ro asked.
“Okay, you guys are my new favorites,” Ro told them.
and of course Miss Foster’s Telepath-Polyglot-Teleporter-Inflictor-Enhancer combination.” Ro blinked. “Wow. Now I get why everyone’s always trying to kill her.”
“Meanwhile, I keep calling it the Waves of Wimpiness,” Ro said proudly. “Lord Pretentious is not a fan.”
He strode over to her, and she tried to back away but crashed into the wall. “I’m serious, Keefe.” “Oh, I know. But you’re forgetting something, Foster.” He was close enough to reach out and gently tuck her hair behind her ear as he leaned in to whisper, “I like a challenge.” His breath tickled her skin, and her stomach filled with fluttery things. “Speechless again?” he asked, grinning as he leaned in to whisper, “You know, there’s—” A loud slam had them both scrambling back, and before they could blink, Sandor and Ro were jumping in front of them, both drawing their weapons as heavy
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“Aww, my mommy likes you,” Keefe muttered. “Isn’t that just the best news ever?”
