Page 62 of Accidental Fiancé

She splashed at the shallow end with her cousins and their friends, thirty kids ranging in age from four to fourteen. They played games and slid down the slides, shouting for their parents to watch them. Piper would have, too, but she was too busy hosting a contest to see who could hold their breath the longest under water.

Maggie’s eagle eyes were on Piper, watching every movement under the water and breathing a sigh of relief when she popped back up.

“She’s fine.”

She smiled at me upon realizing I had noticed. “It’s just… when her head goes underwater, it’s hard not to panic.”

“Believe me, I understand. But you see them?” I pointed to the six people in bright orange windbreakers and not much else. They patrol the pool area with a sharp eye. Don’t forget she’s taking swim lessons, too.”

“Who are they?”

“Professional lifeguards. They’re here to allow the parents to be able to relax a little bit. It’s okay to just let her do her thing, they’ve got it under control.”

Maggie sighed, her eyes still on Pip. “I’m not sure how to turn it off. I have to leave the pool every time her swim coach comes over, or I freak out when she goes under too long.”

I took her hand in mind and gave it a squeeze. “That’s how I know you’ll be a great mom.”

She smiled fully at that but it died fast.

Oh right. None of this is real.

A bevy of cater waiters in short shorts with billowing open shirts delivered cocktails and snacks to those on the loungers, causing Maggie to lean in and quietly ask, “Are they models?”

“Can’t say. Mom hires from the same company every year, though. She likes good-looking men to gape at.” The thought made me a bit less comfortable as we sat on the loungers in the shade near Apollo.

Maggie giggled as one of the cater waiters took our order, her tone dropping into her mischievous register after he left. “Are you sure they aren’t hired handsfor more than just serving drinks? He was very flirty.”

Apollo sat up at that, smirking. “You mean, does Aunt Artemis hire sex workers for her family party?”

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” she blurted.

“I’ve been wondering the same thing for years. Anytime I’ve asked, she swats my shoulder and tells me to mind my own business, so…” He shrugged with a grin.

But I couldn’t let my brain go there. Mom having a sex drive? Pass. I said to Maggie, “He was probably flirting with you because you look incredible.”

“Aw, look at Fool-ian, scoring brownie points,” my cousin teased.

I rolled my eyes beneath my sunglasses but enjoyed the way Maggie’s lips turned up at the corners into a sexy smirk. “He might be a fool, but he’s my fool,” she replied.

If only.

“Sounds like Julian got himself in trouble again,” Chloe taunted as she and Marcus joined us. They took the empty loungers to my left, and I was glad to play defense between her and Maggie. Chloe wore a blue bikini that matched her eyes.

After our drinks came, I asked, “So, what game is it that you had to get us out here for, Chloe?”

“Pool volleyball?”

Marcus didn’t like that idea. He groaned and dug his head back against the thick pillow on his lounger. His guayabera shirt slid apart, revealing his belly. “Anything but that, babe. I’m here to relax, not to let Apollo spike the ball in my face again.”

Apollo snorted a laugh. “Like you ever had a problem with balls in your face.”

Marcus flipped his brother off. “Not volleyball.”

“Spin the Bottle?” Another collective groan went up but Chloe was undeterred. “No wait, I’ve got it. Truth or Dare.”

I blew out a breath as the others complained. I was inclined to agree with them. If we played that game, Chloe would have the upper hand. She knew the most about me and Maggie, and while I wasn’t as paranoid as Maggie, Chloe had a gift for ferreting out things you didn’t want known.

But maybe I could use it to my advantage. I wasn’t the only person here with a secret. I could use the game to show Marcus who she really was. “I think that’s a great idea, Chloe.” I slowly smiled at her. “You go first.”

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