Page 107 of David

“They’re talking business in James’ office,” she puts us at ease. “What’s with her?” she asks, pointing to Chloe, who stays mum.

“Love trouble,” I say.

“It’s only trouble,” Chloe says. “There’s no love.”

Thea looks at me.

“It’s nothing,” I murmur and sip more tea.

Thea flashes a knowing smile and casually moves her eyes to the entrance.

“Oh, my… Looks who’s here.”

We all focus on the house as Rain steps out, holding her baby.

Vivienne Sexton.

Thea pushes out of her seat first, and then the two other women while I don’t know what to do.

Chloe seems carved in stone.

I follow Thea, who is ecstatic when she sees the little girl. You can tell my cousin is a new mom.She knows what to do and say.

Vivienne is tiny, and her hair is dark like her father’s.

She’s cute like a kitten, and she smiles at her mother’s face and when she hears her voice. Some of her features have transferred to her daughter’s face, although Vivienne looks more like her father than her mother.

I tickle her arm, and she stops and looks at me, frozen for a moment before she laughs.

Something softens in my chest.

“She is so cute,” I say, and we all get excited seeing her so happy.

Later, we return to the table while Rain takes her back.

Chloe looks like she has a splinter in her finger.

“Are you okay?” I ask, lifting a cookie from the plate.

“I’m fine.”

“What’s bothering you?”

“Nothing.”

I study her face.

It’s not like her to be ill-mannered.

“Are you sick or something? You look sick.”

“No. I’m, uh…”

Voices echo inside the house, and her focus shatters.

“What is that?” she asks.

I look in that direction.

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