Page 55 of Past

"I guess," Harley mutters, looking bored. It's odd because Harley is only twenty-four but acts forty. I guess it’s because looking after everyone all the time has made him forget how to have fun.

"Want a drink, sweetheart?" Elliot asks, distracting me from my thoughts.

"Yes, please," I say with a smile.

"Okay, I will be right back," Elliot says.

"You’re good for him. Elliot was always so quiet and serious, but with you, he looks happy," Harley comments, watching Elliot walk away.

"Thanks. Elliot's a good man," I say.

"He is. How's uni?"he asks.

"I wanted to talk to you about that. I’m dropping out, and I want the job you offered. I want a job I enjoy, and, for me, dancing is that,"I tell him, and his eyes widen a little bit, but that’s all the reaction I get.

"It's good to like what you do, and I am happy you have accepted my offer. You will need an assistant," he says as a reply, and I nod, agreeing with him.

"How's the expansion? I can't wait to use the new sauna." I laugh with Harley.

"I'm sure I could let you in when it's done before anyone else. It should be another month; they are just painting now, and then the checks will be done,"he replies.

"I would like that; I can’t wait." I laugh.

"All the new rooms have been booked out for classes. Don’t worry, I kept yours open. I had a feeling you would accept. The children are going to be happy; the waiting list for a new dance class is over a hundred now."

"Here you go." Elliot hands me a glass of wine and moves to stand close to me.

"Alliecat, there you are, Sebastian has already found his cake and, well, I thought the two of them could use some time together," Maisy says as she stands next to Harley.

"You might want to go and save your cake, it's in the dining room with Sebastian and Luke," she says to Elliot, who nods and gives me a kiss on the cheek before quickly leaving. I can't help but chuckle.

"Jake pulled himself up onto the sofa today." Maisy smiles widely, and I see Harley’s whole face light up.

"That's amazing. I can't wait to see him tomorrow,"I tell her.

"He loves his Uncle Harley. Or ‘Har, Har’ as Jake says."Maisy laughs.

"I think it's going to be a while before he learns to say ‘Auntie Allie.’" I smile at her.

"He is growing so fast. Sebastian already wants another, but I've just started applying for university, so we will wait. Well, if I can convince him to." She laughs with us.

"I'm going to find the boys," I say with a wave and make my way past people to the dining room. What I find in there really doesn't surprise me.It should, but it doesn’t.

"It's my Goddamn cake," Elliot growls, holding one end of the large plate holding the chocolate cake.

"Yeah, well, she's your girlfriend so she can make you one anytime. I have to suffer and bribe my way to a cake." Sebastian pouts, holding the other end as they both pull. Luke is sitting on the table with his legs on a chair, laughing his head off, and the rest of the people in the room are watching with smiles.

"You just ate your own cake," Elliot replies, look very angry.

"Yes, but I want this one, " Seb replies.

Honestly, they are like children over food. I’m surprised there are any single King brothers left when they love food so much, you can just cook for them.

"No,"Elliot says firmly.

"Yes, you know you love me. And I'm your twin, we have to share; it’s literally what twins have to do," Sebastian says seriously, making me laugh, and I decide to help.

"Sebastian, how about I make you a cake at your house on Monday? I'm coming over for the day anyway," I say gently.