Page 137 of Downforce

“What. Are. You. Doing?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“Also, I have one sibling who’s already a world champion in his sport,” Chloe continues. “While my other brother is literally in line to get his Ph.D. in astrophysics.”

Stasi turns to Chloe. “Don’t short yourself, cousin.” She throws her arms over Chloe’s shoulders. “Chloe’s going to get her Ph.D. in economics. Not very easy to do if you ask me.”

“I wouldn’t ever claim that was easy,” Max says, sounding impressed.

“Yes, so with all of that talent in our family, I still believe my big sister is the most brilliant among all of us.”

Despite my annoyance, my chest puffs up at the sincerity in Chloe’s tone.

“Once she figures out what she wants to do, she’ll be unstoppable.”

“Okay, that’s enough out of you two,” I say, interrupting whatever Stasi was about to follow up with. “Go help Alyssia with Lucky. Maybe he needs a diaper change or something.”

Both Stasi and Chloe pull faces of disgust.

“Go,” I say a little more forcefully.

Stasi whispers something to Chloe and they laugh before leaving us.

“I’m sorry, it can be as difficult as extracting yourself from Spider-Man’s web once those two have you in their sights.”

Max chuckles, and I have to look away because the way the sunlight catches his glasses and lights up his smile makes my heart almost stop.

“They love you,” he says, seriously.

“They’re a pain in the ass.”

“You love them, too.”

I roll my eyes but nod. “They’re hard not to.”

“Much like you.”

Our eyes meet, although I can’t quite see his through the shaded lenses. Maybe that’s why he removes them, allowing me to see the intensity of the look he’s giving me.

“Max, I⁠—”

“I need to talk to you,” he interrupts.

My eyebrows raise. “Not here.”

He shakes his head as if to say he knew that.

“Privately.”

I swallow and look around. “After the presents.”

“Perfect.”

I make some excuse in order to walk away, which I’m sure was incoherent or sounded like the lie it was. The reality is that I didn’t want to leave Max’s presence. Which in turn has guilt spiraling through me.

I should be attentive to the details of the party. With so many guests here, I have to make sure everyone is comfortable, and check to see if Alyssia or Travis need anything.

That’s my role here today. To make sure it all goes smoothly so the three of them—Travis, Alyssia and Lucky—only have to think about having the time of their life as they celebrate one year of being a family of three.

These are the thoughts I try to keep at the forefront as I check on the serving staff to see if they need anything, I greet a few more guests and usher them to the table where the presents are kept, and offer to get my grandparents drinks so that they won’t have to walk across the large field in the sun.