Zoe and Dan walked toward the mystical ride. A little girl ran into the line with her parents close behind. They all had smiles on their faces. Zoe and Dan shortly got in line. The family contained a tall slightly muscular man, a curvy brunette with big brown eyes, and what looked like a three-year-old blonde. They all fit perfectly together like a puzzle. It even made Dan and Zoe feel a bit awkward. Then the little girl spoke to Zoe.
"Hi! My name is Nikki and I'm turning three tomorrow!" exclaimed the small blonde. Zoe bent down until she was eye level with Nikki.
"That's wonderful, Nikki. My name is Zoe," she said with a slight highness to her voice. Nikki smiled and looked up at Dan, who wasn't looking down at her.
She bent over and whispered into Zoe's ear. "Who's that?"
Zoe laughed," That's my friend Dan."
"Is he nice?" she asked with a hint of fear.
"Oh honey, don't worry. He's all right. Why don't you say hi?"
Nikki raised her head all the way back. It was the only way she could see Dan's face. She looked back at Zoe.
"He's too tall," she said.
"I think we can fix that," as soon as Zoe finished the sentence she pulled Dan down so that they were all at the same level.
"Ow! Zoe! You have to warn me before you do something like that. I think I just popped something that wasn't suppose to pop," he scowled.
"I thought you said he was nice."
"He is. Don't worry," she said looking at the girl. Then she turned to Dan. "Be nice!" she said while hitting his arm. "This is Nikki and she is turning 3 tomorrow."
"Oh umm hello," he said while rubbing his back.
"Hi," she said shyly. To Dan this was one of the tensest moments in his life even if it was with a little girl.
Zoe whispered to Dan," Relax. She's just a kid. Loosen up."
"I'll try," he whispered back to Zoe. "So," he said a bit louder," what do you like to do Nikki?"
"Oh!" her eyes widened, " I like to dance."
"That's nice," Zoe said sweetly.
The curvy brunette turned around and saw Zoe and Dan talking to her daughter. Dan stood up following Zoe.
"I'm sorry! Nikki are you bothering these nice people?"
"No ma'am. She isn't bothering us," Dan said politely. The brunette extended her hand.
"Hi. My name is Jessica Hoffman," Dan shook her hand.
"I'm Dan Lennox and this is Zoe Busiek," Zoe also shook hands. Jessica tapped the man beside her.
"Robert, this is Mr. Lennox and Ms. Busiek." They all shook hands once again and asked the normal standard questions like "how do you do?"
"Your daughter is very sweet," Zoe said looking at the little girl.
"She's very talkative. That's what she is," Jessica said while tickling Nikki.
"She gets it from her mom," Robert said but as soon as he said that Jessica play hit him. Zoe and Dan laughed at the sight of these two.
"Come on! Come on! We have to move!" the blonde exclaimed. She ran toward the end of the line. They all followed the jumping child. Zoe and Jessica talked about the hotel while Dan and Robert talked about football teams. They finally all got into the boat. Zoe and Dan had their own row and the Hoffman's had theirs. Zoe and Dan talked quietly.
"You did ok after I told you to loosen up," she said nudging him.
"I'm not good with kids. I don't mesh well with kids."
"She was only two! It's not like talking to a claimant and having to worry about every little thing you say. She wouldn't know the difference if you messed up or not."
"Ahh well," but before he could finish the sentence Zoe's cell phone rang.
Author's Note: I have loved writing this story…No worry…there is a lot more coming…I couldn't have gotten this far without my best friend in the whole world Nikki! Don't forget to review!