“I would be honored to be your partner, Miss Sophie, but your Aunt Mia looks rather sad about that.” Bond pointed to a pretend sad Mia. “How about if I just watch, because I’m very full from my lunch?”
“Mr. Bond, Hank will gladly be partnered with you. Everyone hunts for eggs at this house.” Victoria waved Hank over. “Diana usually hunts, but her knee is bothering her today, so it’s perfect.”
“I can be on their team or I can help Diana, so she can still play,” I offered.
“No, Mummy, you be Mr. Trey’s partner,” Sophie said thoughtfully. “But don’t get all the eggs, okay?”
Diana came in with helpers placing oversized Easter baskets on the table. I glanced over to Trey.
He tried for a fake sad face, but Mia scoffed at him. Everyone was picking baskets, so I picked up two baskets and slowly walked over to Trey as the other teams were forming.
“Sorry you got stuck with me like that,” I said.
“Funny, I was just thinking it was the best thing that’s happened to me in months.”
“Oh,” I swiped some hair out of my face, “thank you.”
Don’t blush, don’t blush.
“Is it weird that I said that? Do you think that I’m weird?” Trey asked in fake shock.
I laughed awkwardly and then felt myself scrunch up my nose. I hated that nervous habit.
“Yeah, it’s weird, but just a little bit,” I smiled. “I like weird though, so we’ll be okay.”
I could feel him staring at me but only for a minute, a small smile starting at the corner of his mouth. I could feel the blush working its way up my neck.
I felt like melting under the heat of his stare. It should be illegal for a man to be that handsome. My heart was pounding in my chest. Trey was still smiling when he put his hand out for mine.
“Okay then, shall we go hunt eggs?” Trey asked, already pulling me to the door.
I nodded. I found myself wondering if it was better to have experienced something I couldn’t have, or should I avoid it altogether, never knowing what I was missing? I knew I had to return to Sydney, and I shouldn’t get involved.
Do I dare?
Chapter 11
Trey
Iwas over the moon, excited that her daughter had intervened and pushed her to be my partner. One day I was going to owe her for that.
“Okay then, shall we go hunt eggs?” I pulled her toward the door without waiting on an answer.
I felt her hesitate slightly, so I looked back. She had the cutest blush and expression. I wish I knew what I’d said to cause it. Maybe it wasn’t me. I looked across to where Mia stood watching the exchange. She was pretty poker-faced, so I wasn’t sure what to do next. Then with a wink at Parker, she took Sophie by the hand, grabbed two baskets, and ran for the doors.
“You guys are going down,” Mia shouted back at us.
“Whoa, hey, they’re cheating,” Asher and August shouted in unison, scrambling around the table. “Let’s go. Parker, your woman is a cheater. You gonna let her beat you?”
“Nah, she’s just smarter than you guys and that’s why I’m on her team this year.” Parker left to find Mia and Sophie.
The twins grabbed baskets and took off out the door together, leaving their designated partners staring after them.
“Did they just leave you on your own, Imogen?” I had to laugh. “This is great.”
“Wait, whose team am I on?” Imogen called out to the retreating twins. “August, you have to be with me.”
Bond just shook his head, put on his black sunglasses, and walked out the door with Hank. We barked with laughter until I felt her gaze settle back on me affectionately.