“No,” I say, looking back to where Royce and Ivan are standing, but their backs are turned to us.

“They are not going to like this,” Penelope mumbles in a singsong voice.

“Are you sure, you look very familiar. Have you been to the art gallery on 7th?”

“Nope,” I say, sitting up now so the guy isn’t looming over me so much.

“It’s strange, because I own it, and I swear I’ve seen you at one of our exhibits.”

“You’ve mistaken me for someone else. My hus—”

“My name is Drake,” he says, interrupting me and kneeling down, holding out his hand.

Penelope leans past me and whispers to the stranger. “Look, Drake, you seem like a nice enough guy, so I’m going to save your life.” She looks to our guys and then back to him. “Those men are straight killers. You need to walk away slowly and never look back.”

He smiles like Penelope is being funny, but she pulls back and shakes her head. “Oh shit. Here we go.”

I turn to see Royce stomping over to us, the snow cones gripped in his hands so tight all of the ice is falling off them as he gets closer. He’s trying to hang on to them as the girls are hot on his heels reaching for them, and it’s a pretty funny sight.

“Are you talking to my wife?” He says the last word like I belong to him and it should be obvious to the world.

I want to laugh at how comical it is, but I know if I do I’ll only get him angrier. Nothing sets my Royce off like someone stepping between him and his ladies. That includes our daughters.

Royce hands the girls the snow cones, and Lavender complains that half of hers is on the ground, while Sam shrugs and drinks what’s left in the cup.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’ll get you another once I get rid of this asshole.” Royce looks back to Drake, who’s already standing up and backing away.

Just then Ivan walks up, and I bury my face in my hands, groaning.

“I tried to tell him,” Penelope says in a smug voice, crossing her arms over her chest and shaking her head.

Ivan doesn’t stop once he gets to us, though. Instead, he keeps stomping toward the guy. Drake’s eyes widen with fear, and he backs away. Ivan keeps going, then Drake turns and runs. Ivan ends up chasing the guy out of the park and out of sight.

“God, I love him,” Penelope sighs, watching Ivan walk back to her.

“Come with me,” Royce says, pulling me from the blanket and taking me with him to the snow cone vendor. “Should have brought you the first time.”

The girls sit down with their aunt and uncle and finish what little they have left of their icy treat.