Page 228 of Prickly Romance

Micheal glances away, looking uninterested.

Niko insisted on inviting Belle too. Though she is much younger, Niko claimed that she did not want to leave the little girl out.

My daughter has a bleeding heart.

I do not know who she inherited that from.

As the kids race past me to go and play in Niko’s room, I notice that it is only the fathers on my doorstep.

“Did the women have another secret meeting?” I ask, noting Alistair’s aggravated expression.

“No,” he says brusquely.

“They sent us on another mission,” Darrel, the therapist and the quietest of the men, speaks. His eyes are as green as matcha powder and it is strangely unnerving to be on the receiving end of his gaze.

“Let’s make this quick,” Max Stinton says. He glances at his watch.

“I agree,” Hadyn agrees. He is Vanya’s husband, if I recall correctly.

As she is the model who receives more attention in the spotlight, much of the American news refers to him as Vanya Beckford’s husband. Although he is a rich heir and influential in his own right, Hadyn does not seem to mind.

My eyes whip back to Hadyn and I frown. “Did you bring your infant?”

“Oh, no. I’m here for the intervention.”

Did he break into a language other than English? “Intervention? I do not understand.”

“Our wives think that you need help,” Alistair grumbles.

“Help with what?”

“‘Getting your head out of your butt-crack’.” Hadyn lifts a hand. “Those were Vanya’s exact words.”

I would be offended if I still was not so confused.

“They had wine, group hugs, and all kinds of talks about feelings,” Max Stinton growls. “But we can skip all the emotional bull and get to the heart of this. The bottom line is that Dejonae wants to trust you and needs some kind of assurance that you love her andwillonly love her for the rest of your life.”

“So let’s come up with a plan to show her that and then go home,” Alistair finishes.

“I do not need your help,” I say stubbornly.

“Look, Sazuki, I don’t know how they did things in Japan, but you don’t get to wiggle your way out of this pep talk, no matter where you’re from,” Hadyn warns. “Trust me.”

“How I handle my relationship is not your concern.” I scowl at their insolence.

“Dejonae is Vanya’s friend, which means it isexactlyour concern.”

I squint at Hadyn.

The way they are all staring at me, one would think Dejonae was their biological sister.

Darrel speaks calmly, “You’re right to mistrust our intentions. And you’re also right to say that we shouldn’t involve ourselves in your relationship.”

“If you know this, then why are you still standing here?”

“It’s obvious we wouldn’t be here if we didn’t care.”

Alistair clears his throat. “Or at least, if our wives didn’t care.”

---