Page 35

“Still breathing.” He shrugs, before stepping around me. “I wondered when you would notice me.”
He pulls her in for a hug, and Max clears his throat loudly, his eyes bugging out at Banner. I giggle, watching with amusement as Banner pulls back, tucking me into his side. Max does the same with Lake, never taking his eyes off Banner.
“Chill. Me and Lake are friends. We’ve never dated, kissed, or anything. You can stop trying to kill me in your mind.”
I gape at Banner for being so blunt. Maverick, on the other hand, finds it amusing and bursts out laughing. “You’ll be fine, kid. Just don’t feed his ego. We have to fit him back in the car if we want to get home.”
Max looks affronted when he faces his brother. “If he wants to lick my ego, let him. Lake is forever making me feel worthless. It needs the boost.”
“Stop being a drama queen,” Lake tells him, biting back a smile.
He kisses the side of her head, and Faith makes a face. “Eww. Would you stop kissing! You’re just like Mummy and Daddy. It’s gross. Isn’t it, Lily?”
We all giggle, but I notice Lily doesn’t answer. She just nods, her face turning pink at the attention.
“Lake said you were spending the day at the zoo. Are you excited?” I ask them.
Lily’s eyes light up like it’s Christmas morning. “Yes!” Her voice is soft, angel-like.
“We’re going to see some big bears,” Faith adds, her voice filled with excitement.
Max gives her a funny look. “They don’t have bears.”
She puts her hands on her hips. “Yes, they do! And they have lions and tigers.”
Max looks up at her father. “You been watching the Wizard of Oz again?”
Maverick sighs, rolling his eyes. “Yes. She loves anything with animals in.”
Faith draws my attention again when she puffs her chest out. “Animals love me, and I love them. When I’m older, I’m going to have millions.”
“Not in my house,” Maverick mutters under his breath.
“But, Dad!” she whines.
Lily just watches them both, a small smile on her lips, but I can see the hesitancy in her eyes. I want to ask how they came about adopting her, but it seems too personal.
“Let’s go to the zoo,” Teagan tells them cheerfully.
Maverick relaxes when his daughter’s narrowed eyes turn to focus on her mum. “Can Lake’s friend come?”
“What about me?” Banner blurts out.
She looks over her shoulder, eyeing him up and down, making me laugh. “I think you’ll scare the animals away. Me and Lily are excited.”
Banner pouts like it’s a real issue, and I have to look away when he finds me chuckling silently.
“It was lovely to meet you,” Teagan says, as she takes her daughters’ hand.
“It was nice to meet you all, too. I hope I get to see you again soon.”
“And me; you can play with my Barbies,” Faith tells me, and I smile wide at her, winking.
Maverick turns to his brother, a stern look on his face. “No getting into trouble. I’m not staying overnight just so I can bail you out in the morning. You’d better be here when we get back,” he tells him.
My eyes widen, looking at Lake. She catches my eye and blushes, before averting her gaze. “I already told you I didn’t mean to ruin our holiday. The lad touched Lake’s…” he pauses, glancing down at the girls, wincing, “A.R.S.E.”
“I’m not getting into this,” Maverick tells him, before turning to me and Banner. “Don’t let him have anything fizzy and try to keep his sweet intake to a minimum.”