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"Auntie Summer!" Serene drops my hand and races toward the pink-haired woman who holds out her arms. Serene jumps into them, and Summer laughs up at the little girl. "Hey, Ser, those are some great braids."
"Mama did them for me." Serene kisses her cheek, then wriggles to be let down. Serene bounces toward the little boy with big blue eyes who’s been watching her.
“Mama?”Summer mouths silently. A big smile wreathes her face, and she flashes me a thumbs up.
The tension I hadn’t been aware of in my shoulders slips out. Guess I was apprehensive about how Tyler’s friends would react to Serene calling me Mama. I’m relieved Summer is enthusiastic about it.
"Matty!" Serene hugs Matty.
"Serene." The five—going on fifteen—boy stands stiffly before patting her back. He steps back just as quickly.
“Uncle Sinclair!” Serene throws herself at him. Sinclair lifts her up and tosses her high. She squeals.
By the time Tyler and I reach her, I’m grinning. I glance at Tyler to find his lips are curved in a soft smile.
Remember what I said earlier about Serene only relaxing when she’s with me and Tyler. Add Summer and Sinclair, as well as their son, to the list.
Summer flashes me a grin. "I’ve heard so much about you."
I hold out my hand, but Summer steps forward and hugs me. "It’s lovely to meet you."
"You, too." I hug her back. Herjoie de vivreis infectious.
She squeezes my shoulder. "I’m sorry we weren’t there at your wedding, but we’d already booked our villa and were en route to Bali. When we found out Tyler was getting married, we suggested he bring you down here for your honeymoon. This way, we can watch Serene while you newlyweds get a chance to spend time together."
I shoot Tyler a look. He arches a brow, non-committal. "I should have mentioned it to you on the flight, but I was, uh…distracted." His eyes gleam, and his lips kick up in a roguish smile as he puts his arm around my waist and pulls me close.
Summer looks between us, and her already incandescent smile seems to grow even more sparkly. "Oh, you two look so good together."
"Clearly, you got the better end of the deal, Davenport," Sinclair booms.
He’s as tall as Tyler, and broad. A couple of gray hairs at his temples give him a distinguished look. As do the lines that radiate from the corners of his eyes. The man’s yummy. Dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, he radiates a confidence similar to Tyler's. The two nod at each other.
Something draws my attention from the corner of my eyes. I glance sideways to find a woman staring at Serene. Then, she looks at Tyler, and the color drains from her face. She catches me looking and glares at me.
What the…? I turn to point her out to Tyler, but when I look back, she’s gone. Weird. I want to dismiss her as a hotel guest, but something about how she’d seemed so angry with me raises my hackles.
I decide to ask Tyler about the woman later.
Serene grabs Matty's arm. He looks faintly bored but doesn’t protest. "Mom, can I show Serene the playroom?"
"There’s a playroom?" I arch my eyebrows.
"This resort has childcare facilities, which is why we chose it. It’s also very romantic." She looks between us. "Sinclair and I are more than happy to keep Serene overnight whenever you want more privacy."
"Oh, Serene’s no bother at all," I protest.
"M-o-m." The boy frowns up at Summer. "Can we go to the playroom?"
"Yes, M-o-m, pl-e-a-s-e." Serene says, imitating Matty while she looks at me with big eyes.
My heart skips a beat, like it always does when she refers to me as her mother. She’s been doing it since I arrived at Tyler’s doorstep and saw her, but it means so much more to me, now, when I’m going to adopt her. When I’m married to her father.
I bend and kiss her forehead. "Of course, honey. If—" I glance at Tyler, who nods.
"I’m Matthew." The little boy jerks his chin in my direction. "Pleased to meet you." He doesn’t hold out a hand though.
"And you, Matthew." I reach out to pat him, but he sidesteps me.