When they entered the family room, Simon was finishing up the decorations. He’d transformed the family room—banners and streamers, enormous stuffed animals with colorful balloons attached to them. Kate hadn’t given decorations any thought. When had he had time to buy all this? Had Sabrina helped him pick it all out?

“Daddy! I love my party room.”

Simon scooped Annabelle up, twirling her around. “Anything for my princess—my soon-to-be-five princess!”

He put Annabelle down, and she ran over to sit on the stuffed pony in the corner of the room. Simon looked at Kate.

“You look very nice.”

She smoothed her hair from her face and gazed at him. “Thank you,” she said coldly.

Kate glanced at her watch. Four thirty. She’d hoped Blaire would have been back by now. She was about to text her when Blaire came into the room holding a huge wrapped box.

“I was just going to text you,” Kate said by way of greeting.

“Sorry!” Blaire said, out of breath. “Took longer than I thought at the salon.” She held her hand up to show Kate her red nails. “Where should I put Annabelle’s gift?”

She pointed to a table against the wall. “What is it?”

Blaire shook her head and smiled. “Uh-uh. You have to wait till Annabelle opens it.”

“Opens what?” Harrison said as he walked up to them. Kate’s smile wavered when Georgina waltzed in right behind him. Had they come together?

Blaire held the box up to show him.

He gave Kate a peck on the cheek. “Hello, everyone. Where’s my birthday girl?” he called jovially, looking at Annabelle.

Annabelle ran up and threw her arms around him. “Granddaddy! I’m gonna be five tonight! Come see the new animals Daddy brought.”

“Kate, dear.” Georgina kissed the air next to Kate’s cheek. She simply nodded at Blaire.

“I thought you were coming with Selby,” Kate said.

“No, not enough room for me in her car. Besides, your father was already at my house, having lunch. He’s turning into skin and bones. I wanted to give him a home-cooked meal.”

Her father had spent the afternoon at Georgina’s? He had other friends, couples, who’d be more than happy to feed him and keep him company. Why was he spending so much time with her?

“I don’t remember your caring too much for cooking,” Blaire said. “Or did you mean that your cook made him a home-cooked meal?” She laughed.

Georgina fixed her with a cold stare. “Harrison’s quite used to staff doing the work. Lily didn’t get her hands dirty in the kitchen either.”

Blaire let it drop, but she didn’t look at all fazed.

“Aunt Kate!” Selby’s youngest, Tristan, ran up to her. “Thank you for the Warrior stick! It’s way cool.”