Lawful Mates - Liam Kingsley Page 0,16
I swallowed, trying to ignore the alien sensation.
“So,” I said, trying to come up with something to talk about since we were apparently going to be civil. “How did you know we were here?”
Easton chuckled softly. “Jamie called me up and said he forgot to send the cooler with you and Amy, and that it was too hot of a day not to have some drinks.”
It was a hotter day than average, even with it being the beginning of July. But something told me Jamie hadn’t forgotten to send the cooler. It was a bit too convenient. Were he and Tuck playing matchmaker? I wanted to be irritated by the idea, but I couldn’t find it in me to be upset—yet another thing I didn’t want to think too much about. So I changed the subject, making small talk about the weather and other stuff until Amy came running up to us before throwing her arms around Easton.
“Thanks for bringing drinks, Uncle East!” Then it was my turn to be wrapped up in one of her bear hugs. “Can we go get ice cream?” she asked, big eyes shining with excitement.
How could I say no to that? “Of course,” I replied with a grin.
“Can Easton come with us?”
I blinked, glancing over at Easton, who merely arched an eyebrow. He clearly didn’t want to tag along on our day together if he wasn’t wanted.
“Whatever you want, sweetheart,” I told her.
She clapped her hands. “Let’s go now. My friend Sarah said they have a special flavor today.” Then she was in between us, holding both our hands and pulling us toward the ice cream shop just across the street from the park.
Easton laughed, and I couldn’t help but notice the rich tone of it, the lightness and carefree happiness. So unlike every other time I’d been around him. I watched him as the three of us crossed the street then stood in line at the ice cream shop, observing how he and Amy got along like old friends. He seemed completely genuine, and when we got to the ice cream counter, he scooped Amy up so she could see all the options. She giggled and wrapped her arms around him.
“Uncle East, can I have a double scoop?”
“Only if you get double the toppings,” he told her with a bright smile. He glanced over his shoulder at me, that smile still in place, making my chest feel funny. “Don’t you agree, Percy?”
Hearing my name on his lips in that friendly tone was strange after the heated arguments we’d previously had in each other’s presence. Was he putting on a show for Amy’s sake? Or was this just how he always was? I couldn’t be sure.
He cocked a brow when I didn’t respond, and I gave myself a mental shake. I needed to pull it together. “Yeah, absolutely. Double toppings all the way.”
Amy giggled. “My dad is going to be so mad.”
I laughed. “That’s why we won’t tell him, right, Easton?” I gave him a conspiratorial wink, not even realizing what I’d done until he blinked a couple of times, his brow furrowing.
But then he grinned at Amy, looking at her like she hung the moon. “Absolutely. In fact, I think we should make it a triple. On me.”
“I’ve got it,” I told him quickly, not liking the idea of him paying for me, even if it was just ice cream.
He rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. We got our ice cream and headed to a table by the window.
“Are you ready for school to start back up in the fall?” Easton asked Amy.
She shook her head. “No way. Summer is the best. I got to see my friends today. Plus, I get to spend more time with you guys.”
Watching them, I realized they’d really gotten close over the last year. It was the first time I’d actually been around them together, and it made me happy that Amy had someone else close to her. Especially since I wasn’t always around. Though I was starting to think maybe I should make a change there.
Maybe I should take Tuck up on more of his invitations. Work would still be my priority, but I could make more time for Tuck and his family. In fact, I realized I needed to. Plus, if Easton was around, it might give me a chance to get to know him better.
The thought came out of nowhere, and I was stunned for a moment. But as I mulled it over, I