Until You (The Redemption, #1)(9)

Another inappropriate laugh from me as Paige mock puts her hands on her neck and sticks her tongue out like she’s been poisoned.

“I’m sure it isn’t that bad.”

“No.” A definitive nod. “It is. We promise. Even Dad said it’s so bad it can curl the hair on your chest.”

My cheeks hurt from smiling at these two. “Speaking of your parents,” I say, taking a quick glance out the kitchen window toward their house, “they’re probably getting worried, wondering where you two are.”

“Oh, right. We forgot.” They exchange a look I can’t quite read, and then I’m greeted with grins that spread from ear to ear. “Dad wanted us to come down here and invite you over for dinner.”

“He did?” I ask, taken back by the invitation from a man who hasn’t stopped once to meet the person he shares his property with.

“Yep. He did.” Addy nods.

“He said he’s been super busy getting everything settled and feels bad that he hasn’t taken the time to come down and meet you,” Paige says, adding a sweet smile for good measure.

“I don’t want to impose. I mean . . .” I don’t exactly look the best in my yoga pants, tank top, and messy bun, but then again, I wasn’t expecting an invitation to dinner. I’d like to make a better first impression.

“Please. Come on. You can’t say no,” Addy says, all but bouncing on her toes. “We already figured you were going to say yes, so we made enough for you.”

“Oh.” I glance back out the window, feeling more than obligated now.

“Plus, we’re persistent,” Paige states, batting her lashes and grabbing my hand and tugging on it.

“Clearly.” I chuckle. What would it hurt? “Sure. Okay.”

A set of cheers sounds off that has Hani walking down the hall, deciding my bedroom is quieter.

“What time?” I ask, trying to think of something I can bring from my depleted cupboards to contribute to the meal.

“Now,” Addy says, sliding a glance over to Paige and then back to me. “By the time you guys meet and talk for a bit, it’ll be ready.”

“Oh. Okay. Um . . .” I wasn’t expecting that. “I need to figure out something to bring. I don’t want your mom to—”

“We don’t have a mom,” Paige says, and I’m pretty sure the surprised look on my face catches them off guard. “I mean, we have a mom, but—”

“She doesn’t live with us,” Addy says. “Or even in the United States for that matter.”

Another roll of their eyes in unison as I mentally sputter over how to react.

“I’m sorry.” It’s the only response I can think to give.

They both shrug in a way that says they don’t care, but the fleeting sadness in their eyes says otherwise. “It’s okay. We deal,” Addy says nonchalantly. “So? Dinner?”

There’s no way I can back out of going now because the simple question has brought the fire back into her eyes.

“Sure. Yes. Okay.”

The walk up the drive to their house is filled with their idle chit-chat, which helps to dissolve the sudden unease I have about being invited over to have dinner with the twins and their single (and very hot) father. The range of topics we cover in our rapid-fire conversation is wide and disjointed but definitely brings a smile to my face.

They’re eleven years old. While Addy is the dancer, Paige is the soccer playing artist and is the rec soccer team any good? They’d prefer a dog over a cat (if they’re honest), and they hope that doesn’t hurt my feelings. They’re trying to figure out a cool name for their influencer account and if I have any suggestions, could I let them know? Their dad makes them eat their vegetables, and it’s so annoying that he does because dessert is the best part of the meal. They’ve already taught themselves to swim the length of their pool without taking a breath and wonder if I can too.

And why is my name Tennyson? It’s strange and different, and they’re not exactly sure if they like it but, in the end, decide that at least no one else has the same name so it must be cool.

Their bond is undeniable and enviable, especially coming from this only child, but holy hell are they full of the type of energy I’d kill to have.





CHAPTER FOUR


Crew




I’m going to kill them.

Correction. I’m going to hug them first and then I’m going to kill them for scaring the shit out of me.

Then I’ll buy them cell phones first thing tomorrow morning—but doesn’t that mean they win in their quest for the amount of screen time I’m trying to limit while we’re here?

I’ll figure that out later because first, I need to find them.

I’ve covered every square inch of this property. Slowly at first, assuming the girls were just outside playing. Then with fear tickling the nape of my neck. And now I’m in an all-out panic as I run back into the house from where I had just been searching the barn to go through the house once again.

“Addy?” Up the stairs, two at a time as the oven timer goes off. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. “Paige?” Open one bedroom door. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. Then the other. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. My pulse races and fear ratchets up.