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“Hey!” Brick protested. “Brat.” Placing her on her back, he tickled her until she cried for mercy and lay back on the floor, gasping for breath.
“Gotta pee.” She climbed to her feet, leaving the two men alone.
Xavier sat up and looked at Brick. “Thanks, man. You don’t know what this means to me.”
Brick nodded. “I know. But mostly, I’m doing it for her.”
“I know, I just want you to know, I’m committed to this. I’ll do whatever is necessary to make it work.”
“Good. Me too.”
Committed to making what work?
She knew she shouldn’t have listened, but she couldn’t help herself. She crept away when they didn’t say anything more.
There was definitely something going on. Why were they so friendly all of a sudden? What were they keeping from her? She didn’t want secrets between them.
This was all rather odd.
But since Xavier was here, and the last thing she wanted was for him to leave, perhaps she shouldn’t question it.
After peeing, she walked back into the playroom.
“Duchess, I thought we’d keep Xavier company while he cooks dinner.” Brick held out his hand.
She glanced down at princess fairy outfit. “I should change.”
“No,” Brick replied firmly.
“Wear what you have on, Twink,” Xavier told her. “Please. For us.”
Well, barnacles.
“Okay. I will.”
“Been meaning to ask where Twink came from,” Brick said.
Xavier’s lips twitched. She studied him for a moment. There was something about him . . . he seemed lighter almost. Happier? She wasn’t entirely sure.
“It’s short for twinkle toes,” Xavier said.
“Ah. Because she’s clumsy?”
“Exactly.”
She huffed. “It could have been because I’m light on my feet.”
They both just stared at her. She wasn’t that clumsy. She had that thought right as she tripped up over a cushion and nearly went headfirst into the fort.
About an hour later, they were all seated at the dining table. She was sitting at the head of the table. Brick had put food on her plate. Shepherd’s pie with green beans and garlic bread.
“Thanks for this, Xavier. It looks delicious,” Brick told him.
It did look and smell delicious. But she didn’t know how she was going to eat with her stomach tied in a knot. She glanced from one to the other as they dug in.
“Eat, Duchess,” Brick urged.
“Is there something you don’t like?” Xavier asked.
