“
As if on cue, Roo strolled out of the bakery, carrying a huge cinnamon roll in one hand and a giant cappuccino in the other. She wore a black taffeta miniskirt, black tights, black ballet slippers, and a black tank top over a purple T-shirt. Watching her a moment, Parker turned to the others and sighed.
“Look at her. Fashion Goddess of the Dark Realm.”
“She’s creative,” Ashley emphasized. “And her realm isn’t always a bad place to be.”
“Neither is hell. If you’re the Antichrist.”
This earned Parker a slug on the arm. Grinning, he pulled Ashley close and kissed her.
“Don’t even ask,” Roo announced as she joined them. “These are mine, and I’m not sharing.”
Gage promptly tore off a fourth of the cinnamon roll and popped it in his mouth. Etienne took a third of what was left. Roo stood there looking down at her practically empty napkin.
“You didn’t need that, anyway,” Ashley insisted. “All those calories.”
Parker gave Roo a serious once-over. “Since when has Roo cared about calories? No, wait. Since when has Roo cared about clothes? No, wait. Since when has Roo cared about how she looks?”
He stared at Gage. Gage stared at Etienne. Etienne stared at Parker.
“Since when has Roo cared about anything?” they all asked in unison.
Feeling a little envious, Miranda observed the good-natured teasing. The kids back home hadn’t shared this kind of camaraderie. Not that they hadn’t been close--their own special group of girls and guys--but what Miranda saw here was different.
Stronger, somehow.
Like a real family.
Miranda refocused on the three boys. Roo didn’t seem the least bit bothered by their comments. As Gage reached for the last bite of cinnamon roll, Roo stuffed it quickly into her mouth. Etienne just as quickly snatched the cappuccino from her other hand.
”
”