“Am I missing something?” Sammi glances around, clearly looking for someone to explain, but that would require one of us being able to catch our breath long enough to speak.

It’s Aiden who finally peels himself off the ground and cups a hand to my wife’s shoulder. “How do I say this eloquently?” He pinches his chin giving it some thought. “Annie here prefers the taste of Cristal.” He nods and winks.

And my wife’s face turns red as a tomato. “Really?” She looks at the two of them in their coordinating costumes. “But—Wow… Okay.” Her head shakes. “I just thought you two…”

“Just friends,” Anika offers, looking as if she’s chewing on vomit.

“A little more than friends,” Aiden counters, pinching his fingers together.

“He wishes.” Annie shrugs away when he tries to sling an arm over her shoulders.

“Aw, don’t be like that, Pixie. We don’t need to put a label on this fire that burns between us.”

“We’re friends,” she echoes her earlier sentiment. “And maybe not even that for long if you don’t cut this shit out.”

“Aren’t friends apposed to like each other?” Alex asks, reminding us all that there are children present.

“Yeah.” Aiden squats to his level, ready to confront his attacker. “They sure don’t club each other in the di—twigs and berries.”

The miniature version of Nick shrugs. “You can’t be mad, Uncle Aiden. It’s what my character does. BAM! BAM!”

“Hear that, Annie?” He rises back to his feet, pointing at Alex. “You can’t be mad when I grab you and lug you around under my arm.” He shrugs. “It’s what my character does.”

“How ‘bout we hop on some golf carts and take these kiddos huntin’ for some candy, huh?” Raven grabs each of the twins by the hand and heads for their cart.

Aiden throws his hands out when Nick and Rhett take off. “Who are we riding with?”

“Great,” Sammi groans. “Looks like we’re stuck with the bickering “not couple.”

Chapter Nineteen

“Lyle!” I shout, dropping the curling iron on the bathroom counter in my excitement and rushing off to find him. “Lyle!” My voice echoes through our massive home.

It’s so much space for two people, but it’s not like we could move to just any neighborhood. We needed the security and privacy a place like Oak Manor provides. Plus, I must admit it’s nice having Korie and Raven just a short golf cart ride away. The two have been so welcoming.

Don’t get me wrong, Lyle is amazing, but sometimes you just need a little girl talk. Our budding friendship has done wonders to soften the blow of leaving my best friends behind.

“Hey!” He comes to a skidding halt on the kitchen tile right in front of me, gasping for breath.