Page 64 of All I Desire

Chapter Seventeen

NATALIA

Four hours later,it’s obvious that the mermaid brunch was a good idea.

Well, at least for Chloe.

Remy has been weird and cold to Matthew, and I haven’t gotten the chance to ask him why, mostly because he’s been swimming in the tank, entertaining the kids with his goofy underwater faces. Perhaps he’s found a new career as a merman. Who knows?

Ma’s been walking around, cheeks pink with excitement because she’s finally getting her long-awaited grandbaby. I’ll bet she’s already thinking about creating a Google doc to organize a dinner schedule for the month the baby’s born. Come to think of it, that’s not a bad idea.

I get my organizational skills from her.

Ma knows enough not to flutter around Kate, who’s been scarily silent since Matthew spilled the beans.

And poor Kate’s ignored everyone but the kids who have come over to where she’s set up camp at the face-painting station. After sprinkling blue sparkles and starfish over Chloe’s face, she’s worked her artistry on every kid who has walked in the door.

There must be a dozen children under twelve here, and they’re all jacked up on cupcakes and sugary punch. Half of them are on barstools, watching Remy and Leilani swim in the mermaid tank — “why is his chest so furry,” one little girl muttered, and I cracked up — and the other half are piled together at the seashell photo booth, taking selfies. The parents are at tables in the back, drinking beers or mimosas.

I’m sitting alone, surveying the scene and stuffing goodie bags with something called “sea goo,” which as far as I can tell is a sugary, sticky slime with gummy crabs inside. These parents will hate us come nine o’clock tonight, but whatever. I’m also trying to avoid Kate’s dagger-like stare. I watch as Matthew breaks away from a circle of dads and walks over.

I swoon a little as I gaze at his biceps, remembering what it was like to fall asleep with those manly arms around me. He’s such a snack! I just learned that phrase today, by the way. He slides into the seat next to me and gives me that happy grin of his. My heart pools like the candy slime on the table.

“Natalia, I can’t thank you enough for this. I haven’t seen Chloe have this good of a time in years.”

I meet his gaze and feel my face grow hot. “I’m so glad. She looks happy. And I think she’s made friends with a good group of kids, too.”

Matthew takes a huge breath. “I’m really sorry about Kate.”

“No! No, that was all on me. I should have told you not to say anything. Actually, I shouldn’t have said anything. I’ll make it right with her.”

Matthew reaches to brush his fingers over my cheek. “I know you will. And you meant well. Maybe talk to her after everyone leaves.”

I swallow hard. The last thing I want is Kate angry at me.

I mull over what I’m going to say to Kate and how I’m going to apologize as Matthew and I sit side-by-side, watching the kids. Should I send her flowers? Grovel? Take her out for her favorite pizza?

Probably, the best thing I can do is call Damien and convince him to return to Paradise Beach.

* * *

After Matthewand the other guests leave — Chloe begrudgingly called me “cool” as she walked out because she liked my flower-print Doc Martin boots — I turn to my family.

“Well, that went pretty well, no?”

“It did!” squeals Leilani, ever the positive Pollyanna.

“Absolutely,” Ma agrees. They’re both endlessly sunny.

Remy, who is usually in the ranks of the family cheerleaders, grunts. Kate glowers at me. Lauren and Isabella are at the bar, finishing off a bottle of champagne, probably hoping to hide from the family drama that’s about to unfold.

“What?” I snap at my brother.

He shrugs. “I dunno about that guy, sis.”

“Why?” I pick up a half-eaten cupcake and stuff it into a plastic trash bag.

Leilani frowns and pokes Remy’s side. He’s wearing a shirt and shorts now, thank God.

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