Page 34 of Alfie: Part Two

We passed a wide hutch with more photos, and I spotted macaroni art and clay bowls painted by children.

That was how it was supposed to be.

I let out a breath, and Alfie slipped his hand into mine right before we made a turn into a large kitchen.

Three caterers were in the middle of preparing food on the kitchen island, with trays packed with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Both for grown-ups and children. Or so I assumed when I spotted a serving tray with smaller glasses, umbrellas, fruit garnishes, and colorful?—

“Look, Dad!” Trip pointed at the fizzy mocktails, clearly impressed. “I like pineapple, as you know.”

I combed my fingers through his hair. “We know. It looks like they’re for children.”

“And maybe me. I like a colorful drink too,” Alfie said.

He sure did.

We followed the party cacophony out to the patio, where all the guests had gathered. I estimated approximately forty or fifty people had made it, and I was sure it had more to do with the father of the children than the boys themselves. Though, there were plenty of children running around. Among balloons, streamers, and—hell, there was a man making balloon animals for the kids.

Within seconds, Emilia had greeted us with the biggest smile and two hugs, as if we were the guests of honor, and then she introduced me to a handful of men I wasn’t sure I should associate with. I met Kellan’s little sister too, Luna Ford. She kissed Alfie’s cheek and mentioned something about his Instagram, and it was quickly followed by an invitation to visit Chicago.

“CJ’s been looking forward to seeing Trip all week,” she finished with a grin.

Trip perked up. “Where is he?”

Luna pointed toward the two gift tables. “Over there, sweetie. Probably wishing it was his birthday.”

I smiled. Certainly an impressive collection of gifts for the mafia boss’s sons.

“Come on, son. Let’s go over and add our gifts to the piles,” Alfie suggested.

Trip was all for it, and the two headed over there.

I shifted my smile to Emilia and Luna instead, fairly sure I could manage without my mobster barrier, and it seemed I had nothing to worry about. Emilia spoke up immediately.

“I was so happy when Shan told me you and Alfie were getting back together.”

Okay, but that was a little baffling. I hadn’t actually confirmed anything to Shan, so unless Alfie had let the news run wild, I didn’t know how they’d found out, and that included Finn.

“How did he even know?” I had to ask.

She laughed softly and shook her head. “I assumed you’d told him, but if that’s not the case, I’ll chalk it up to Shan’s way of knowing things. He’s the family mediator.”

“I’m his latest project,” Luna said wryly. A server walked by at the same time, and Luna went for it. “Champagne, anyone?”

Before I could even answer, I had a glass in my hand, and then someone squeezed my shoulder lightly.

It was Shan.

“How nice, you made it,” he said. “For the record, you had surrender written all over you at the golf course—and then I received my confirmation when Alfie let Finn know you were coming today.”

I supposed that made sense.

Shan glanced at Emilia and Luna. “I hope you don’t mind if I whisk him away, girls.”

“I mean, I mind alittlebit,” Luna replied. “I’m starved for interactions with adults after being stuck in Chicago all summer.”

“And you know my thoughts on that matter,” Shan told her.

Luna widened her eyes at him. “Why are you still here? Whisk the man away already.”

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