Page 97 of Defensive Zone

Harty grinned. “I swear she’s never without that thing.”

“I like lists,” Penny grumbled.

Harty pulled her into his arms. “I love your lists and everything else about you.” Then he kissed her.

“We’ll see you out there,” Gabi said, giving them space while they kissed the hell out of each other.

She wished she could do that with Max, be out in public and kiss him when she wanted to, but they hadn’t talked about that or anything serious. They were having fun, but she was kidding herself if she truly believed she didn’t want more.

She had no clue how that had happened—especially with Max—or what she was supposed to do about it.

“Who’s ready for a picture with the Easter Bunny?” Penny asked an hour later.

Both hunts were done and it’d been more entertaining than Gabi had imagined. After helping Connor and Amelia hunt and fill up their baskets, Gabi and Ava—with Elise strapped to her chest—had participated in the adult hunt. Ava would yell out anytime she had spotted an egg and Gabi would grab it.

There had been plenty of eggs for everyone—adult and kid—and so much laughter.

“Mommy, I can’t believe the Easter Bunny came here to help us find eggs,” Connor said, tugging on his mother’s hand.

“My basket is so heavy,” Amelia said, lugging around the purple and green wicker basket.

“It was very nice of the bunny to come hang out with us,” Ava said, smiling down at the twins. She seemed light today, and it warmed Gabi’s heart.

“Can we go get a picture?” Amelia asked.

“Where’s Uncle Max?” Connor asked.

They’d done a decent job diverting the kids’ questions about where Max had disappeared to. Halfway through the hunt, the bunny had disappeared inside and Max had come jogging up to them to help the kids pick up eggs.

Then he’d slipped back inside and out had come the Easter Bunny. He put his all into it today, and all Gabi could do was smile.

Constantly.

She kept looking over at him when he was in full bunny regalia. He was probably smirking under that suit.

“I’m sure he’s around here somewhere,” Ava said. “Ready for a picture?”

“Is she going to cry?” Amelia asked, pointing to Elise.

Ava smiled. “Probably. You both cried the first few times you had your pictures taken.”

“He cried last year,” Amelia said, tilting her head toward Connor.

“Because you pinched me,” he said.

“I did not,” Amelia said as they walked toward Max.

The twins continued to bicker until Ava told them to knock it off and smile for the camera. Max had his arms around the twins, with Ava and Elise tucked close. She couldn’t wait to laugh when the twins grew up and found out who was in that bunny suit.

Then Max crooked a finger at her and she walked over.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Don’t you want a picture with the Easter Bunny?” he asked.

“Nope. I’m good.” She leaned in. “Don’t scandalize the kids by hitting on women in your bunny suit.”

“The only one I’m hitting on is you. But don’t worry. Tonight I’ll give you a hoppy ending,” he said.

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