Page 11

"Well, then, you'd best get driving." Jocie dug her keys out of her pocket. "Take my car. I'll get online and stalk him until I find his address. I'll text it to you."

"But—"

"But what? Your kid is literally about to show up on the doorstep of a man who has no idea she exists, and she's going to announce that she's his kid. I think you better haul some ass, babycakes."

"Crap. You're right." She grabbed the keys. "I'll be in touch."

"I can't wait to hear the details."

"I'll bet." Sofia started running toward the door.

"Wait!"

She spun around. "What?"

"Are you going to wear that?"

She looked down at her jeans and Happily Ever After Again sweatshirt. "What's wrong with it?"

"You're about to meet your baby daddy. Maybe show a little cleavage and curves? Some makeup? Maybe get a blow out?"

"I'm going to find my daughter, not win a date with a billionaire."

"Why not do both? Billionaires can be super handy to have on speed dial."

Sofia started laughing. "Why don't you come along and date him?"

"Someone's gotta run the shop. Besides, he's yours."

"He's not mine."

"Well, he was once, for seven magical days, right?"

Sofia smiled. "They were magical, until they weren't."

"Well, there you go. Change your clothes, then head out."

Sofia had a sudden urge to run up to her room and try to look cute for the man she hadn't seen in sixteen years.

Which made her equally determined not to do it.

Instead, she headed out the door. "Call me when you find his address."

"Wait!"

Sofia paused. "What now?"

"What if you have to spend the night? Toothbrush? Clothes for tomorrow? Clothes for her?"

Crap. She was right. It would take two minutes to throw some things in a backpack. Not to dress up for him. Just because she wasn't completely losing her mind. "Right." She sprinted for the stairs.

Ten minutes later, she was on her way back through the store at a run.

"Have fun," Jocie called out. "And remember that the press are always following the Harts. You can't afford a photograph to get published."

Sofia let out her breath. "I know. I'll be careful." She hugged Jocie fiercely, and then sprinted for the door, her heart already pounding as she tried once again to call her daughter.

And once again, her daughter shut her out.