“Oh, it’s like being back in college with the insults, baby,” Aric teased. “Now ask her about her sorority sisters and punch her in the boob. Then my transition to childhood will be complete.”
“You can’t punch someone in the boob,” Sami countered, her forehead wrinkled. “That’s not a real thing. It’s not like kicking Death in the nuts. Unless ... is it like kicking Death in the nuts?”
Zoe nodded without hesitation. “Everyone knows you punch the Devil in the boob and kick Death in the nuts. It’s in books and stuff.”
Aric made a groaning sound and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Oh, don’t tell her stuff like that,” he whined. “She’s going to punch some girl she doesn’t like in the boob and we’re going to get called to school because she’s been charged with sexual harassment or something.”
“You can’t sexually harass another girl,” Sami argued. “That’s not a real thing. Like ... nobody ever has been accused of that.”
Aisling raised her hand. “Just twice, and both times I was simply trying to be mean. I didn’t mean for the insults to come off sexual but, in hindsight, I can see where I made my mistake.”
Cormack smiled as Lily laughed and wiggled on her grandfather’s lap. She was clearly enjoying herself.
Angelina’s gaze traveled back to the baby. “She looks just like all of you.”
Zoe frowned as she regarded the woman but remained quiet.
“Our genes are hard to overcome,” Cillian said, drawing Angelina’s gaze to him. At one time they’d been in a relationship together. It was long ago, before Cillian met Maya and fell in love, but he was the one Angelina most often listened to. “Angelina, it would be best if you would just answer our questions. I don’t want to see you get hurt, but it’s important we know exactly what is going on, so ... .”
“What?” Angelina blinked several times in rapid succession and then heaved out a sigh. “I can’t believe you people are actually discussing torturing me.”
“Well, believe it,” Sami shot back. “Personally, I think we should give her a million slivers and then hide all the tweezers in the world.”
Zoe shot her daughter an appraising look. “That’s better. I might add some lemon juice to the mix.”
Sami shook her head. “No, that’s for paper cuts. It’s different. I ... hmm … paper cuts. That might be fun.”
Angelina looked horrified at the prospect. “What is wrong with you people? How come nobody is standing up for me?”
“Because we’re familiar with your work,” Cormack replied, using a cloth to dab at the spittle on Lily’s chin. “Nobody here has sympathy for you. We need to know about this party. You can either tell us or ... well ... we’re going to let the little one pick your torture.”
Lily laughed again, causing Angelina to roll her eyes.
“She might look cute but she’s clearly got her mother’s evil streak,” Angelina lamented. “Fine. What do you want to know?”
“When was the party planned?” Zoe pressed.
“I don’t know.” Angelina held out her hands. “I wasn’t the original planner on this one. They contacted me recently because their first party planner flaked out.”
“Since when are you a party planner?” Aisling challenged.
“Since ... forever.” Angelina’s lip curved as she regarded her nemesis. “I’ve always been a party planner at heart.”
I snorted. “In other words, when she heard how great Jerry was doing branching out, she decided to see if she could do the same. She wants to stay on Aisling’s radar. Obviously, since Lily came, Aisling has had a lot less time to spar with her.”
“That is ridiculous,” Angelina sputtered. “Why would I care what she thinks ... or says ... or thinks? Why would I care about any of that?”
“Because you can’t help yourself,” I replied simply. “You mark your self-worth by Aisling’s responses to your life choices. For better or for worse — and in this case I definitely think it’s for worse — all you care about is what she says.”
“That is ... absolutely ... there are no words.” Angelina’s cheeks flooded with color. “I thought you were going to be a calming influence on Aisling when you joined the family. Obviously I was wrong.”
“Obviously,” I agreed.
Zoe snapped her fingers to get Angelina’s attention. “When did Grimaldi call you to take over this party?”
“I ... it was today.” Angelina’s voice went back to petulant. “I don’t know what to tell you. His last party planner flaked and he called me at the last minute because he’s heard about my recent success.”
“And by ‘success’ you mean the eradication of your latest infestation of crabs, right?” Aisling queried.
Angelina made a hissing sound. “And I think I’m done talking to you people.”
“Not quite,” Zoe countered, forcing a smile that was chilly enough to make a shiver run down my spine. “I need to know exactly what he said when he called you.”
“I don’t remember exactly what he said.”
“Well, you need to try to remember,” Zoe insisted. “I’m going to let my kid explain the difference between the Jonas brothers if you don’t hurry up and spell things out for me.”
“Oh, that’s a good punishment, baby,” Aric intoned. “I’ll never get back those three hours that she spent showing me photos, as if there’s actually any difference. I would never wish that torture on anyone ... except this chick. She really does remind me of the Kardashians, now that it’s been pointed out.”
“It’s the stupid suit,” Sami said. “And the fact that she’s so fake. She’s not even one of the good Kardashians. She’s like the mom ... and that sister that keeps dating younger guys because she thinks it makes her relevant.”
Aric broke into a wide smile. “Oh, you get more and more like your mom with every passing day. You’re so cute.”
Sami wiggled away from him when he made a grab for her. “You’re totally ruining my vibe. I’m supposed to be a terrifying badass, not a daddy’s girl. Come on.”
“Oh,
