The following morning when I opened my eyes, Harley was lying on his side beside me, his head propped on his hand as he watched me with a grin.
My eyes widened. "How long have you been staring at me?"
"Long enough," Harley replied. He lay down on his back with his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling. "You've been talking in your sleep again."
I sat up in the bed and looked at him. "Please tell me I didn't say anything weird."
His grin widened.
I covered my face with my hands, embarrassed. "Just tell me. Whatever it is, I can handle it."
He turned onto his side again and pulled me into a bear hug, startling me. "You can't handle the truth."
Flash. Flash.
Harley and I looked in the direction the flashing noise came from and saw Daisy holding her camera.
She grinned wickedly. "The girls will love this." Then she dashed out of the room.
I broke free from Harley's hold and ran after her. "Daisy! Don't you dare! Gossiping is not cool."
"Yes it is," Daisy replied as she made her way into the living room.
The hum of conversation filled the living room, followed by the twins bickering about their breakfast in the kitchen.
"Guys," Daisy said, getting their attention. "You would not believe what I stumbled upon this morning."
I finally caught up to Daisy and snatched the camera out of her hand. Through clenched teeth, I whispered, "Keep this a secret or I will tell James about your dirty little secret."
Daisy gulped.
"What happened?" Amy asked.
Daisy took a step backward. "It was something silly." Then she turned on her heel and dashed out of the room.
"Daisy took a photo of us cuddling."
Everyone's faces lit up with excitement.
We looked in the direction the voice came from and saw Harley descending the stairs.
I shot him a dirty glare. "First of all, we weren't cuddling, and secondly, what the hell?"
Harley chuckled as he passed me on his way toward the kitchen. As he walked by, he whispered, "Loosen up. Life is too short."
I rolled my eyes at him.
Mrs. Huang looked at me with teary eyes. "Are you and Harley finally a couple? I have been dreaming about this day since you came to live with us."
"Uh—"
"Your late mother and I would always talk about you two whenever we met."
A bead of sweat rolled down my temple. "Um, Auntie, we're not—"
She got up from her seat and gave me a warm squeeze. "I can't wait to meet my future grandchildren."
I let out an exasperated sigh before returning the hug. Everyone looked at us in awe.
Mr. Huang walked past me, whispering, "Don't waste your breath."
I nodded.
Later that morning, Amy and Nicholas went to meet with the wedding planner to finalize a few loose ends.
Daisy met with her agent to do a beach photoshoot, while Isabelle and Michael went sightseeing.
The twins threw tantrums until their parents agreed to let them stay with us. And by us, I mean Harley and me. Mr. and Mrs. Huang left to buy groceries.
I stooped down to the twins' level and asked, "What do you guys want to do today?"
Avalee's face lit up. "We want to go to the beach and play."
Alexander nodded in agreement.
I stood up straight as Harley walked out onto the deck.
"We're going to the beach," I said.
"Okay."
The four of us walked down the wooden stairs. As soon as our feet touched the sand, the twins screamed in delight and chased each other.
"Let's go," I said.
Avalee grabbed my hand and then took her brother's. Alexander held Harley's hand with his other hand, forming a small chain between us.
"Everybody hold hands!" Avalee declared proudly. "No one gets left behind!"
Harley chuckled softly as she dragged us forward.
As we walked along the shoreline, an elderly couple coming from the opposite direction stopped a few feet away from us.
"Your kids are beautiful," the elderly woman said.
I raised my hand. "Actually we're not—"
"Thank you," Harley said, cutting me off.
"What are your names?" the elderly woman asked, smiling at the twins.
Avalee pointed at herself and then at her brother. "I'm Avalee, and this is my brother Alexander."
The elderly man reached into his pocket and revealed two lollipops in his hand. "Would you like some candy?"
Their faces lit up. "Yes please!"
The elderly man gave them a lollipop each before the couple excused themselves and walked past us.
I flinched when Harley wrapped his arm around my waist.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
He winked at me. "Just playing the part."
Avalee and Alexander looked at us while licking their lollipops. My face burned with embarrassment.
Alexander tilted his head slightly. "Are you guys a couple now?"
My mouth hung open.
"Auntie Amy said it's complicated," Avalee said. "But I don't know what that means."
I nudged Harley in the side. "See what you started."
I stooped down and brushed a strand of hair out of Avalee's face. "We're super close childhood friends."
"Our next-door neighbor friends said their mom and dad are childhood friends," Alexander said.
I stood up straight. "Some childhood friends remain friends too."
My heart skipped a beat when their expressions suddenly shifted.
"Why the long faces?"
Avalee dropped to the ground, tears forming in her eyes. "You don't like each other anymore."
Harley and I looked at each other before turning our attention back to her. Alexander stood beside her, trying to comfort her.
"We do like each other," I said quickly, linking hands with Harley. "See?"
Her face lit up. She wiped the tears from her cheeks before standing up and brushing the sand off herself.
Oh my god. She totally played us. This has Amy written all over it.
As soon as we reached the recreational area, Avalee and Alexander ran toward the playground while Harley and I sat on a bench facing it.
"Auntie Sophie, look at me!" Avalee shouted from the swing. "Look how high I can go!"
"Wow," I replied.
As we watched the kids mingle with the other children at the park, I noticed women of all ages staring at Harley, and he couldn't care less.
"What I would give to be born with your genes," I muttered.
"Huh?"
I looked at him. "Did you not see how those women were looking at you?"
"No," he replied, standing up. "Nor do I care. I'll be back shortly."
I watched as he walked to a quieter area and lit a cigarette, taking a drag.
I let out a sigh before turning my attention back to the kids.
Two men approached me, and the shorter one said, "What is a pretty thing like you doing all alone at the park?"
"Excuse me?"
"Want to join us for some fun?" the older one asked.
I crossed my arms. "Please leave."
"Is there a problem?" a voice said.
We looked up and saw Harley standing a few feet away, irritation etched on his face.
"Who the hell are you?" the younger one asked.
Instead of answering, Harley cracked his knuckles as he walked closer.
The two men turned pale and quickly ran away.
I burst out laughing.
Harley sighed. "You need to be more aware of your surroundings. What if I wasn't here to protect you?"
"They approached me," I said.
"Exactly," he replied, taking his seat beside me. "You're an easy target."
Before I could counter him, Avalee and Alexander ran over, saying they were hungry.
I grabbed my phone and looked at the time.
It was almost supper time.
I stood up and clasped my hands together. "How does Kraft Dinner sound?"
"We love Kraft Dinner!"