Page 28 of Designs on You

He grinned and texted back:I’d love to. Send me the details.

She texted back with the day and time, and that it would be at the housing development’s clubhouse.

“Something—or someone—just put a big smile on your face,” Linc said. “I’m guessing Natalie?”

He looked up from his phone. “Yeah. Her little guy is having a birthday party this weekend, and she invited me.”

“Oh. Big stuff, being invited to share in her kid’s celebration.”

“You think so?”

“Hell yeah. Most moms are very protective over their kids, especially where boyfriends are concerned.”

“I’m hardly her boyfriend. We had one date.”

Linc smiled at him over the rim of his beer. “Must have been a memorable one, then.”

For Eugene it was. For Natalie? He wasn’t sure. Then again, he had an invite to Christopher’s birthday party. So maybe she really did like him.

He’d find out on Saturday.

CHAPTER TEN

Balloons, check. Tablecloths and napkins, check. Gifts, check. Cupcakes, plates, forks, and gift bags, check, check, check, and check. Pizza, to be delivered. And all the rest, maybe check.

“I know you’re running through a list in your head,” Natalie’s mother said. “I printed a checklist out for you several days ago, if you recall. If you didn’t use it, that’s on you. Besides, I have things well in hand.”

Resisting the urge to snap at her well-meaning mother, Natalie turned and smiled. “Of course I used your checklist. I’m just…double-checking everything.”

Hazel pushed through the doors of the clubhouse carrying gift bags. “Oh, it looks amazing in here, Nat. Christopher is going to go bonkers.”

“Thanks. Hopefully Sean will actually deliver him and his sister on time.”

Her mother frowned. “Why are the kids with Sean when it’s your weekend?”

“Because it’s Christopher’s birthday, and Sean asked if hecould spend half the day with them. He said they were going to have pancakes and a mini party this morning.”

“Aww, that’s sweet. And very nice of you, Nat,” Hazel said. “I’m sure Christopher loved being able to spend time with his dad on his special day.”

Natalie hadn’t wanted to give Sean any time with the kids. But that was her relationship with him, and Sean was trying to do better about carving time out of his schedule to actually be with his kids. And he’d asked for only a few hours on the morning of Christopher’s birthday. She’d have to be a royal bitch to deny him that.

“We should clear an area for the kids to run amok,” Hazel said.

“There’s a playground right outside.” Natalie motioned with her head to the area where the playground stood.

“Oh, I see,” Hazel said. “They’ll all love that.”

“And, even better, they can scream and yell and it’ll be outside.”

“Right. Like they won’t also do that here.”

Natalie laughed. “You’re probably right about that, Mom.”

Hazel rubbed her back. “It’s all going to be fine and Christopher will have a blast. Now let’s get this place decorated.”

Her sister was right. It was time to settle in and get ready for this party. She was going to make it the best party Christopher ever had.

The door opened and she saw Linc come in, followed, surprisingly, by Eugene.

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