Chapter 36 #2
They both have a point. Stasi is our family’s dessert chef, having gone to one of the best schools in the world to be a pastry chef. She’s been cooking and baking ever since she was a little girl. Though we often tell her we can hire someone to do the baking for family events, she insists.
“The cake pops were delicious,” Max says, drawing all eyes his way. “I had no idea so much talent resided in one family.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Chloe replies. “Did you know my sister was a national debating champion in high school and college?”
“Oh, and she graduated top of her class at one of the best law schools in the country,” Stasi says.
“World,” Chloe corrects.
“What are you two doing?” I ask, looking between them.
“She’s probably one of the smartest people I’ve ever met,” Stasi says, ignoring me.
“And that’s saying a lot since we both know quite a few people who’ve gone to elite schools.”
“And my dad runs one of the most successful companies in the world and has for over two decades.” That’s Stasi.
“Right, and her brother is in position to become the next CEO. And trust me, Uncle Aaron did not go easy on Kyle.”
“What. Are. You. Doing?” I ask through gritted teeth.
“Also, I have one sibling who’s already a world champion in his sport,” Chloe continues. “While my other brother is literally in line to get his Ph.D. in astrophysics.”
Stasi turns to Chloe. “Don’t short yourself, cousin.” She throws her arms over Chloe’s shoulders. “Chloe’s going to get her Ph.D. in economics. Not very easy to do if you ask me.”
“I wouldn’t ever claim that was easy,” Max says, sounding impressed.
“Yes, so with all of that talent in our family, I still believe my big sister is the most brilliant among all of us.”
Despite my annoyance, my chest puffs up at the sincerity in Chloe’s tone.
“Once she figures out what she wants to do, she’ll be unstoppable.”
“Okay, that’s enough out of you two,” I say, interrupting whatever Stasi was about to follow up with. “Go help Alyssia with Lucky. Maybe he needs a diaper change or something.”
Both Stasi and Chloe pull faces of disgust.
“Go,” I say a little more forcefully.
Stasi whispers something to Chloe and they laugh before leaving us.
“I’m sorry, it can be as difficult as extracting yourself from Spider-Man’s web once those two have you in their sights.”
Max chuckles, and I have to look away because the way the sunlight catches his glasses and lights up his smile makes my heart almost stop.
“They love you,” he says, seriously.
“They’re a pain in the ass.”
“You love them, too.”
I roll my eyes but nod. “They’re hard not to.”
“Much like you.”
Our eyes meet, although I can’t quite see his through the shaded lenses. Maybe that’s why he removes them, allowing me to see the intensity of the look he’s giving me.
“Max, I—”
“I need to talk to you,” he interrupts.
My eyebrows raise. “Not here.”
He shakes his head as if to say he knew that.
“Privately.”
I swallow and look around. “After the presents.”
“Perfect.”
I make some excuse in order to walk away, which I’m sure was incoherent or sounded like the lie it was. The reality is that I didn’t want to leave Max’s presence. Which in turn has guilt spiraling through me.
I should be attentive to the details of the party. With so many guests here, I have to make sure everyone is comfortable, and check to see if Alyssia or Travis need anything.
That’s my role here today. To make sure it all goes smoothly so the three of them—Travis, Alyssia and Lucky—only have to think about having the time of their life as they celebrate one year of being a family of three.
These are the thoughts I try to keep at the forefront as I check on the serving staff to see if they need anything, I greet a few more guests and usher them to the table where the presents are kept, and offer to get my grandparents drinks so that they won’t have to walk across the large field in the sun.
I laugh when my grandfather glares at me and reminds me that not only is he capable of getting his own drink, but he can do it while carrying me on his back like when I was a little girl.
“You’re going to tire yourself out,” Grandma Townsend says, looking worried. “Why don’t you sit down? Not even Travis and Alyssia are doing as much running around as you are.”
I glance at my brother and sister-in-law in the middle of the field, standing with Lucky and some of the other parents and their children, encouraging Lucky to take his first steps on his own.
“I’m fine,” I assure my grandmother before giving her a kiss on the cheek and rushing off to help with the cake.
It’s not until about an hour later, after we’ve all gathered around Lucky to sing happy birthday and watch him and his parents blow out his birthday cake before he takes the first bite, that I release a relieved breath.
Thirty minutes later, once they’ve opened the last present, I remember that Max wanted to talk to me alone. I try to be discreet, but it’s hard to keep the smile off of my face when I see him staring right at me, despite the close to fifty people between us.
It’s a good thing no one around would suspect this smile is for him and not the festivities happening around us.