Page 60 of Designed for Disaster

“Uncle Trent!” a little girl cried. I assumed this was Hailey. She ran over, throwing herself around Trent’s legs. “Is that for me?” She pointed to the present in Trent’s arms.

“It’s definitely for you.”

Hailey cheered. “So many presents!”

“Hailey,” Dominic said, exasperated.

“It’s okay,” Trent said, clapping him on the shoulder. “She’s allowed to be excited. It’s her birthday.”

“I’m just trying to control the chaos.”

Trent grimaced at a horde of squealing preschoolers, nodding in solidarity. “Better you than me.”

“I don’t know if controlling the chaos is possible today,” Stacy said.

Dominic beamed at her. “I’m really glad you came.”

“Me too.” She handed over the garment bag. “This is for Hailey.”

He took it. “Give it to her with me?”

“Sure,” Stacy said, wandering off with Dominic.

Trent turned over his shoulder to look at me. “So there’s definitely something happening with them, right?” He gestured after Dominic and Stacy.

“Definitely,” I said, taking his hand. We walked across the terrace Dominic had reserved for the afternoon. The entire space was done up with streamers and balloons, and despite Dominic’s protests, there was a long table loaded with presents. We added ours to the pile.

Another crowd of little girls went racing by us, streaming over toward a magician who had started crafting balloon animals. Trent made a face, and I laughed softly, squeezing his hand.

“Looks like Dominic rented out all the entertainers in town,” I said.

“I don’t know how else you’d corral the kids,” Trent said, dead serious. We made our way to the other side of the terrace, where there was a space for the adults to gather with drinks and food—close enough to step in if needed, but far enough away to be able to enjoy themselves without the kids being right underfoot.

“Natasha,” Aiden said as we walked up. “Good to see you again.”

“Nice to see you too.”

“This is my fiancée, Cora,” he said, introducing the pretty redhead at his side.

“I’ve heard all about your drink-making skills,” I said to Cora. “Stacy will be thrilled to meet you. She’s followed you on Insta for a while.”

Cora shook her head, rolling her eyes at Aiden playfully. “That’s supposed to be a secret, but this guy can’t stop telling people I’m the Masked Mixer.”

“I can’t help it if I’m proud,” Aiden said.

She patted his hand. “It’s supposed to be anonymous, babe.”

“Who’re they going to tell?”

Vincent and Piper walked over with their baby. “Baby Violet in the house,” Vincent said.

“Can you stop announcing her like a DJ?” Piper said.

Trent and I laughed.

“This is Piper,” Vincent said, introducing his wife. “Piper, this is Natasha.”

Piper gave me a hug. It was surprising but not unwelcome. “Welcome to the madhouse,” she said, smiling kindly.

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