Page 108 of The Genius
Raising my hand, I offered my help. “I’m happy to give a hand.”
“Have you learned how to cook?” Nero asked with a skeptical expression on his face.
“I wouldn’t say it’s my biggest strength, but I can peel and cut some vegetables if that’s what you mean.”
“It’s okay, Shelly, I got it,” my sister Rochelle called out.
Kya placed her hands on her hips and smiled. “That’s great, Rochelle, but I need two more people.”
“I’ll do it,” Nero declared and smiled at Nicki when he walked past her. “You wanna help out?”
When Nicki hesitated, Nero added, “Shelly is threatening to go into the kitchen, so we could really use your help.”
Nicki’s eyes flew to me and then back to him. “Sure, I’ll help.”
“I’m not that bad of a cook,” I defended myself.
Nero grinned back at me over his shoulder. “Why don’t you invent time traveling while we go make dinner? I think those physical laws you talked about only apply to us normal people. I’m sure you could find a way around them if you wanted to.”
With Nero and the others inside, I walked over to watch the soccer game. Mila and some of the others were sitting on the grass cheering so I joined them.
“This is just like old times,” Mila said and smiled at me while at the same time helping two little girls braid a crown of flowers.
I was staring at Marco, who had a small girl on his shoulders with his hands wrapped around her ankles to hold her in place.
“That’s Dina,” Mila explained. “She’s my youngest sister and she was crying just now because she couldn’t play with the others.”
“How old is she?”
“Three.” She tilted her head. “It was so sweet of Marco to include her.”
“Yeah, it was, but he loves children. I’m sure he doesn’t think it’s a big deal.”
Mila tilted her head watching him. “Marco is going to be the best dad ever.”
I widened my eyes, wondering if Mila somehow knew about the baby.
“I offered to marry him.” She said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“You did what?”
“I said that I would pick him as my champion next year when I have my tournament.”
I wanted to talk to her about the tournament but for now I was just stunned that Marco hadn’t told me about this.
“And what did Marco say to your offer?” I asked, trying not to reveal how much my heart was beating at this moment.
“That’s it, Mason, nice goal,” Mila cheered and pointed to one of the boys that we had seen when we first arrived. “You’re making your sister proud.”
I clapped my hands to show my support while repeating my question to Mila. “What did Marco say to your offer?”
“Oh, he said it was nice of me, but he wouldn’t fight in my tournament.” She sighed. “It’s a shame, because he would have made a wonderful father and I really like him.”
“You like Marco?”
“Yes, he’s very strong and fit and also kind and funny.”
“But he’s ten years older than you.”
