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“Pick that up, assistant,” Daisy demanded of her sister.
“Oh…kay,” Delilah said in her cute little voice.
“Crap. Delilah is catching on,” I said.
“I think they already partnered up.” Damien grabbed my hand and we collapsed on the couch, watching the two girls interact.
Daisy ran to her room, returned with a play clipboard we bought for Christmas, and handed it to her sister.
“These are your goals. No emotional meltdowns.” She shook her finger at Delilah.
“Goals.” Delilah smiled.
I stared at the adorable pink glitter high-top sneakers they both wore.
“We raised a boardroom in glitter sneakers,” I casually said.
Damien leaned over and whispered, “She’s going to ask for a salary.”
“You bet she is. I can guarantee she’s going to negotiate for her sister, too.”
“Snack meeting. Bring the animal crackers,” Daisy told her sister.
Delilah walked into the kitchen, opened the pantry door, and grabbed the box of animal crackers. Daisy had her trained well. She didn’t even listen that well to Damien and me.
“Office. Now!” Daisy pointed to the hallway.
“Oh…kay,” Delilah led the way.
“Jesus, Willa. Are we sure she’s ready for Whitmore Academy?”
“You meant to say, ‘Are they ready for Daisy?’ I smirked.
“I don’t like how the letter used the word ‘blossom,’ he said.
“No kidding. Daisy doesn’t blossom. She takes over the garden and assigns new leadership.”
He slowly shook his head and rubbed his face. “The other morning, she told Delilah she was on ‘thin ice’ for not clapping during her morning announcement.”
“She’s mimicking us,” I said.
“Whitmore Academy thinks they’re getting a confident, independent little girl. But they’re actually getting a glitter-covered war strategist.”
“Should we call and cancel?” I glanced at him.
“Sweetheart, it’s Whitmore. You can’t cancel. You get accepted once, or you disappear forever. Besides, why screw Delilah out of her chance to attend there.”
“They may not take her after having to deal with Daisy. God, I can see it now. We’re going to be on the blacklist.”
Damien chucked. “She’ll probably run the blacklist by mid-semester.”
“I love her so much it’s terrifying.” I lay my head on Damien’s shoulder.
“Same.” He smiled. “But also—if they ever ask us to come in for a meeting?—”
“We bring our lawyer with us,” I interrupted him.
ChapterForty