Chapter 1
Trey
“Mom! I’ve decided I want one!” I announced, placing two mimosas on the table.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that, Son,” Mom said with a laugh. “Maybe you can start with what it is you want, and was it something I should have put in your Easter basket?”
“You know what I’m talking about, Mom,” I said, taking a seat at the table next to her. “Can I please have one?”
“You haven’t said what it is you want, have you?” She sipped on her mimosa.
“You know what I want. Why are you making me say it?” I turned in my chair to look directly at her. “I want my own Mia.”
“Am I to surprise you like I did with Parker?” Mom smiled behind her glass. “Because I don’t think you would be surprised, if that’s what you want.”
“Yes, very humorous, Mother,” I deadpanned, and we both started laughing.
“Trey, you’ve always had a wonderful way with women. Your reputation in the tabloids over the years is proof of that,” Mom said, taking another light sip. “Why would you need a mail-order bride?”
“That’s just it — models, actresses, and socialites,” I said, topping off our glasses. “I’m ready to be in love. I want what Parker has and it has to be because of her. So, I want Mia.”
“Your brother might have something to say about that. I think he’s rather fond of his wife.” She pushed her glass to the middle of the table. “Are you trying to get me drunk to get your way?”
“Not on purpose, but if it would help...” I pretended to reach for her glass.
“Now who’s being funny?” She slapped at my hand. “So, tell me again what it is you’re asking for? I’ve forgotten already from the mimosa.”
“I want my own Mia,” I stated, inches from her face. “Work your magic and get me one too.”
“There’s only one Mia, my dear big brother,” Murphy, my baby sister, said on a yawn as she slid into a chair at the breakfast table next to me. “You just hate that you didn’t win the girl for the first time in your life. It’s time to get over it.”
“What are you going on about? I didn’t even try to win the girl from him,” I corrected. “Of course, if Ihadtried, I would have won.”
“Oh, please. Get over yourself, Three. There was no way you were going to get Mia from Parker,” Murphy argued.
“Come on, you two. It’s Easter weekend,” Mom scolded, standing and putting her glass in the sink. “I have things to get done before the rest of the family gets here.”
“Mom,” I called out as she headed for the door, “I’m serious. I want one too.”
“Oh, I know you’re serious. But just because Parker got one, doesn’t mean you get one.” She stopped at the door and turned. “Besides, Parker isn’t like you.”
“You got one for August too,” I mumbled. “That’s not fair.”
“No, Trey, I got one for Asher to get this family out of the tabloids and make our investors happy,” she said, leaning against the doorframe. “August just stole her from Asher. I suppose you could steal her from August.”
“You’re a barrel of laughs today. Maybe we should set up a stage so you can do a full stand-up,” I said, walking around the counter to hug her. “Don’t you want your oldest child to be happily married?”
“You’ve always tried to get your way by hugging me. I’d have thought you would have learned it doesn’t work by now,” she smiled, taking my face in her hands. “I do love the hugs though. I may need a bunch more all weekend.”
“Mom!” I heard myself whine, then laughed. “Please.”
“Let me think about it, okay?” Mom paused in the doorway. “I do have something you can do for me though. That is, if you want to be in my good graces.”
“On that note, I’m off to the shower before everyone gets here,” Murphy said quickly, grabbing a muffin. “I’m going to win the Easter egg hunt this year, Three.”
“You can try, Brat, but you know it’s not happening. Neither is the egg decorating prize,” I called out to her as she left the room.
I watched my mother stare at me out of the corner of my eye as I grabbed a muffin and broke a piece off.. I leaned my back on the counter and met her gaze