#Chapter 299 – Off to Bed

A few hours later, Daphne’s face cracks into a wide yawn and Jesse, sitting next to her on the couch, reaches out and pats her knee. “Come on, lady detective,” he says, getting to his feet and offering a hand. “Let’s get you to bed.” “The party’s not done though,” she protests, yawning again as she casts a hand out to where the rest of the group is lounging around the room, the conversation now quieter, more subdued. “Oh, it will be done as soon as Ariel finally falls asleep into that eighth bowl of ice cream,” Jesse murmurs, gesturing over at where his cousin’s head is nodding, her finger slipping away from the spoon. “Which will be in about eight seconds.” Daphne laughs and takes Jesse’s hand. He turns to her at the touch, giving her a brilliant smile and pulling her to her feet. “You know I don’t need an escort,” Daphne says, smoothing her hands down over her skirts. “I can make it downstairs by myself – no one bothers me.” “Oh, come on,” Jesse says, reaching his hands