Page 135 of Downforce

“He’s right on time,” Alyssia says.

“And what’s he putting on the table?”

“Brigadeiros,” I say, my voice cheery as soon as I see what’s inside of the clear gift box wrapped in a beautiful red bow he presents to the staff working the food table. “Those are so freaking delicious.”

It takes a few for me to realize I’m being stared at.

I look over to find Alyssia, Travis, and even Lucky looking at me.

“What?” I play it off. “All of you know how I feel about chocolate.”

Alyssia grins. “That’s right. You pouted like a kid when Lucky munched on the last of the chocolate bar you brought over the other day.”

I pinch my lips because, no, it wasn’t my finest moment. I don’t tell her that it was the last of the chocolate bars that Max brought me from Belgium.

“Anyway,” Travis adds. “You’re the one who wanted him here, so we might as well greet him so he can leave.”

“I—” I start to defend myself but that’s when I see Travis looking at Alyssia.

He’s not talking to me.

I clear my throat and then excuse myself to allow Alyssia time to drag my brother to go over and greet his biggest rival.

Also the man who holds my heart in the palm of his hands.

That thought fills me with a deep, aching sadness since I can’t express it the way I want. I’ve been trying to figure out the right time to bring up my relationship with Max to Travis.

While I haven’t figured it out yet, I do know that at my nephew’s birthday party isn’t it.

“Hey, baby, are you feeling okay?”

I turn away from where Max is standing to come face to face with my parents.

“Yeah, of course. Why would you ask?”

My dad frowns, looking at me as if deciphering every part of my expression. He reminds me of the way Tristan silently observes. My dad isn’t nearly as quiet or reserved as Tristan, but he’s more observant than people give him credit for. He used to say it was one of the things that made him such a skilled quarterback.

He could quickly scan the field and pick which player was going to be where in seconds to decide what call to make.

“You seem to be a little on edge.” My mom reaches for my arm, squeezing. “The party is wonderful and everyone keeps complimenting how beautiful the decorations and accommodations are.”

I lay my hand on my mom’s, knowing she’s said this to reassure me. She probably thinks I’m on the verge of one of my spirals about whether or not I’ve done a good enough job in organizing this party.

To be fair, if my head weren’t consumed by the man who walked in not too long ago, I probably would question whether or not there were enough balloons, or if I made the right call ordering balloons at all since I read that they can be a choking hazard for babies and toddlers.

As it stands, those questions have passed through my head, and I’ve had to bat them away multiple times throughout the morning. However, they’re not at the forefront of my mind.

“Thanks, Mom.” I squeeze her hand.

“She’s not blowing smoke,” Dad adds. “Scott, over there, just asked who Trav and Alyssia hired as their party planner.” He leans in, grinning. “I told him he couldn’t afford their party planner.”

My mom slaps his arm as we laugh. He wraps an arm around my mom, hugging her to his side.

It makes my heart ache for a longing that’s become all too familiar lately. Without my permission, my gaze roams the crowd, searching.

When my attention comes to rest, my eyes bulge slightly when I see Chloe and Stasi standing with Max, talking.

“What are they talking about?”