Page 63 of All I Desire

He clears his throat. “Thanks for inviting us, Natalia. Chloe, Nat and I are friends.”

Note his emphasis on the word friend. I decide to take a cue from him and ignore his daughter’s comment. What am I going to say? Yes, I was French kissing your dad? Or should I deny it? No, that would be wrong, because it would be a lie.

So instead, I introduce them around, starting with Leilani, then Ma, who looks like a belly dancer covered in seaweed.

“I’ve heard so much about you. You’re much taller than I expected,” she burbles, obviously overjoyed at the thought of me and Matthew together. “Come here and give me a hug.”

Thank God I told him about Ma’s love of hugging.

“You’re so broad shouldered. Do you work out?” Ma asks, squeezing his bicep.

“Ma, personal space,” I mutter.

I should probably take her aside and tell her not to order the wedding invites, based on the way Chloe’s staring at me with the skepticism of a hardened homicide detective. Attitude is coming off of her in waves. I guess I wasn’t prepared for a ten-year-old to have such a commanding personality. The back of my neck begins to sweat.

Remy picks this moment to shuffle into the room. He’s wearing what looks like a shimmery blue girdle that covers his waist, hips, thighs, and legs.

“Is this supposed to fit like…oh. Hey.” He puts his hands on his hips and stares at Matthew.

Chloe giggles at the sight of him. We all do.

“And this is Kate,” I say, trying to pretend that everything’s as light and bubbly as the pale blue ocean water punch. An introduction to my goofy brother can wait. “Kate’s doing face painting. Chloe, do you want the honor of being the first to have your face painted? The other girls should be here in about a half hour. I asked you and your dad to come early.”

“Nice to meet you, Kate,” Matthew says, shaking her hand. “And I guess a congratulations are in order, since you’re expecting a baby, right?”

The room falls silent. Well, until Ma gasps and presses her hands to her mouth. Until a little whimper escapes Kate’s throat. Until Remy shouts, “What? How the hell does this rando know she’s pregnant and I don’t? Does Damien know?”

Oh, shit. In between talking and making out last night, I’d forgotten to tell Matthew to not say anything about Kate’s pregnancy.

The song “All You Need is Love” comes on at that moment, and I clap my hands together.

“Well. How about some ocean water?” I shout.

“Only if it has rum in it,” Remy grumbles.

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