Chapter 36
Annalise
“Do you think he’s going to be afraid of the clown?
” Alyssia asks while bouncing Lucky, who is dressed in a polo style shirt with matching red, textured shorts.
He’s obviously dressed in Amato red and is the most handsome man in all of the south of France, which is where Travis and Alyssia decided to host this outdoor birthday party.
There are at least a hundred and fifty people here today.
All of our families, including Alyssia’s uncles, her pregnant best friend and her husband, along with our side of the family which is more than three quarters of the family members here since our family is so huge.
Then there’re so many Amato team members and friends from around Europe.
There would be more people, but Travis and Alyssia decided to cap it.
“Lucky’s not afraid of anything,” I croon, taking Lucky’s hand.
He curls his fingers around my pointer finger and bounces it up and down, grinning. My heart.
“You are the bravest little boy, aren’t you?”
He giggles when I tickle his belly.
“Are you sure? My uncle said when I was a baby I cried because of a clown. Do you think he’ll pick that up from me?” my sister-in-law asks, looking worriedly at the unbothered little boy in her arms.
Her Uncle Theo sidles up beside her, saying, “And I wish I’d never told you that story,” as he wraps an arm around her shoulders. “You were fine after a little while, and this one will be, too.”
“And if he isn’t, it’s just another story for him to tell at his kid’s first birthday party,” her other uncle says, coming up on her right side.
“Oh my god, what if he remembers this and never forgives me or Travis for scaring him at his first birthday?”
“Impossible since I’m pretty sure the part of his brain used for long-term memory hasn’t fully developed yet.”
Her Uncle Theo tips his half-filled glass of wine in my direction. The three of us laugh.
“He’ll be fine,” her uncle reassures her. “This kid is probably the most loved person on the planet right now. If anything, he may hardly notice the clown with how many other people want to get pictures and be around him. He’s today’s superstar.”
A noticeable murmur overcomes the people around us. The hairs on my arms stand on end as goosebumps rise on my skin. I turn in the direction that feels as if it’s pulling on me like a magnet.
My heart kicks against my ribs when I see Max dressed in a red linen button down and a crisp pair of white linen shorts.
The top button of his shirt is undone, showing off the very tops of his sculpted pec muscles.
The sleeves of his shirt grip his biceps the same way I recall holding onto those very arms just a few nights ago.
They highlight the veins that line his arms, and oh my God, I think I might have just drooled a little.
Damn, I’m worse than Lucky.
But is it really my fault when he waltzes in looking like my summer dreams come to life?
“He really invited him?”
The whispered question causes me to turn in the direction of its owner.
A woman who’s supposedly the girlfriend of one of the Amato engineers.
But the way she’s looking at Max makes me unreasonably possessive.
I actually visualize myself walking over and kissing him square on the mouth to stake my claim, publicly.
Instead, I take a large gulp of the Aperol spritz in my hand.
“I’m glad he came,” Alyssia says. “I had some doubt that he would even after I told Travis he better invite him or I’d make him sleep in the spare bedroom for a week.”
I almost choke on my drink.
“You did what?”
She watches as Max greets a few of the other guests and is led over to the food table.
“What? You think your stubborn ass brother relented out of the goodness of his heart? You know he likes to hold grudges.”
I nod. “I thought it was my very reasoned argument that finally made Travis see the light.”
“It was that, too. But the threat of seven nights without any was just enough of the push he needed to stop being such an ass.”
“Who’s an ass?”
We all look over to see Travis. He plucks Lucky out of Alyssia’s arms, kissing him before leaning in to kiss his wife.
“You,” she answers, but gazes up at him with stars in her eyes.
“Oh? What about now?”
Alyssia juts her head to the newly arrived guest. Travis’ smile drops.
“He’s late.”
“He’s right on time,” Alyssia says.
“And what’s he putting on the table?”
“Brigadeiros,” I say, my voice cheery as soon as I see what’s inside of the clear gift box wrapped in a beautiful red bow he presents to the staff working the food table. “Those are so freaking delicious.”
It takes a few for me to realize I’m being stared at.
I look over to find Alyssia, Travis, and even Lucky looking at me.
“What?” I play it off. “All of you know how I feel about chocolate.”
Alyssia grins. “That’s right. You pouted like a kid when Lucky munched on the last of the chocolate bar you brought over the other day.”
I pinch my lips because, no, it wasn’t my finest moment. I don’t tell her that it was the last of the chocolate bars that Max brought me from Belgium.
“Anyway,” Travis adds. “You’re the one who wanted him here, so we might as well greet him so he can leave.”
“I—” I start to defend myself but that’s when I see Travis looking at Alyssia.
He’s not talking to me.
I clear my throat and then excuse myself to allow Alyssia time to drag my brother to go over and greet his biggest rival.
Also the man who holds my heart in the palm of his hands.
That thought fills me with a deep, aching sadness since I can’t express it the way I want. I’ve been trying to figure out the right time to bring up my relationship with Max to Travis.
While I haven’t figured it out yet, I do know that at my nephew’s birthday party isn’t it.
“Hey, baby, are you feeling okay?”
I turn away from where Max is standing to come face to face with my parents.
“Yeah, of course. Why would you ask?”
My dad frowns, looking at me as if deciphering every part of my expression.
He reminds me of the way Tristan silently observes.
My dad isn’t nearly as quiet or reserved as Tristan, but he’s more observant than people give him credit for.
He used to say it was one of the things that made him such a skilled quarterback.
He could quickly scan the field and pick which player was going to be where in seconds to decide what call to make.
“You seem to be a little on edge.” My mom reaches for my arm, squeezing. “The party is wonderful and everyone keeps complimenting how beautiful the decorations and accommodations are.”
I lay my hand on my mom’s, knowing she’s said this to reassure me. She probably thinks I’m on the verge of one of my spirals about whether or not I’ve done a good enough job in organizing this party.
To be fair, if my head weren’t consumed by the man who walked in not too long ago, I probably would question whether or not there were enough balloons, or if I made the right call ordering balloons at all since I read that they can be a choking hazard for babies and toddlers.
As it stands, those questions have passed through my head, and I’ve had to bat them away multiple times throughout the morning. However, they’re not at the forefront of my mind.
“Thanks, Mom.” I squeeze her hand.
“She’s not blowing smoke,” Dad adds. “Scott, over there, just asked who Trav and Alyssia hired as their party planner.” He leans in, grinning. “I told him he couldn’t afford their party planner.”
My mom slaps his arm as we laugh. He wraps an arm around my mom, hugging her to his side.
It makes my heart ache for a longing that’s become all too familiar lately. Without my permission, my gaze roams the crowd, searching.
When my attention comes to rest, my eyes bulge slightly when I see Chloe and Stasi standing with Max, talking.
“What are they talking about?”
“You know how those two are,” Mom says in response when I hadn’t even realized I’d spoken out loud.
I blink, glancing at my mom who’s grinning at my little sister and cousin.
“He’s standing too close to my baby.” Dad’s voice is almost a growl.
“What?” Mom blurts.
“He is. I know slick talking guys like him. Look at that smile.” Dad narrows his eyes at Max.
“Travis’ teammate is not flirting with our daughter or our niece at a one-year-old’s birthday party.” Mom’s voice relays how preposterous she thinks my dad is becoming.
I barely hear their bickering over the pounding of my heartbeat.
“Why don’t I go make sure those two are staying out of trouble?” I propose, already walking in that direction.
“You should stay away from him, too,” I hear my dad say to my back. “You’re too young for—” Whatever he’s about to say is lost when my mom cuts him off, or maybe I’ve just tuned him out because the draw of Max looking like my summer wet dream is overloading all of my senses.
“Lis,” Stasi greets with the widest grin on her face.
My stomach swoops at the bit of wickedness in her smile. I don’t think she’s even trying to hide it.
“You’ve met Max, right?”
Chloe laughs. “I’m sure they’ve met.”
I ignore the not-so-hidden meaning in her comment. I haven’t said anything to Chloe about Max, specifically, so I’m not sure how she’s figured out that he’s who I’ve been spending my time with when I’m not around.
I glare at Chloe, which makes her and Stasi laugh.
“You two are pests,” I say, trying to sound annoyed.
“Max doesn’t think so. Do you, Max?” Stasi asks, putting on her innocent act.
“Max hasn’t spent a lifetime with you two,” I answer before he can. “Why don’t you go supervise the cake cutting or something?”
“Because I made the cake,” Stasi quickly answers. “And all of the cake pops and desserts that will be served later on. I’ve already spent enough time with the cake.”
“And I was her taste tester,” Chloe adds. “I can’t look at cake for at least another week.” She pats her flat stomach.