Page 64 of The Maxwell Brothers

Taking out my phone, I brought up Lexi’s number, and I was surprised to see I had a few unread messages from her.

Lexi: We’re going on a picnic today. Beatrice is with us. She seemed a bit off, but Paisley and I have a plan to cheer her up.

The next message was from a few hours later.

Lexi: We’re still on our picnic. We’re going to be late for dinner, and I’m not sure how much Paisley will want to eat because she’s snacked the whole day.

Tate: Are you still at the lake?

Lexi: YES we are. At Oak Street Beach. I don’t think I can convince anyone to leave ) Paisley and Beatrice are dangerous when they’re together.

She sent me a picture of the three of them. They were sitting down and smiling at the camera. Paisley was sticking out her tongue.

I felt lighter for the first time today and made a split-second decision. Rising from my chair, I headed straight out of my office and poked my head into Declan’s. He and Luke had returned a few hours ago from their break.

I'm leaving," I announced.

Declan jerked his head back. “It's 4:15.”

“I know.”

He narrowed his eye“. "Are you sick?”

"No. Lexi, Paisley, and Gran are at the lake. Lexi sent me some pictures."

“Wait a second. So, when Luke and I asked you to take a break, you gave us the evil eye, but Lexi texts you a few pics and you’re off? I'll mark this day on the calendar."

"You're an ass," I said.

“I'm just remarking that this isn't exactly your usual behavior."

I flipped him the bird before leaving the office. He was right, obviously, but if I admitted it, I'd never hear the end of it. I typically had enough work that I could stay at the office until late into the evening, but I made it a golden rule to be home for dinner. I sometimes worked later after Paisley fell asleep,but not often. But I'd never left early, not unless she had an emergency or a recital at school.

Seeing all my girls out at the lake, I couldn't help myself. I asked Lexi to send me their location, and she replied with what felt like a million emojis, making me laugh. She wasn't capable of hiding her emotions.

I arrived at the lake half an hour later. My three ladies were sitting under a huge oak tree. Gran was reading on her Kindle. The picnic area was vast, but there were so many people that it still felt cramped.

"I want to wear this to my birthday,” Paisley was telling Lexi.

It was on the twenty-fifth of September, but she always started talking about it two months before. “Do you think a red dress would clash with my freckles?"

I blinked at the weird conversation.Clash?

"What? No, I don't think so, but try on the yellow one as well. It's so luminous. I think it would make your eyes stand out too."

They’re talking about fashion? Damn.

"What are my ladies up to?" I asked, appearing behind them.

Paisley shrieked, jumping to her feet and then straight into my arms. "Daddy, what are you doing here? Did something happen?"

Fuck, that anguish in her voice slew me.

"No, pumpkin, I just thought I'd join all of you and have some fun. I don't want you all to have fun without me."

"But it's early," Paisley said as if she couldn't possibly comprehend what I was doing here.

"Yeah, I decided to leave the office earlier today," I said.