“Hazel. We talked about this. That’s a round off.” Kyndall smoothed down her skirt. “She’s not in gymnastics yet. But I go once a week.”
“You both did a fabulous job,” I praised.
“Well?” Kyndall waved a hand at the plush grass. “Show us what you got.”
A laugh bubbled from my throat before I toed off my sandals. “Okay. But don’t laugh at me.” I pointed at them both.
Hazel mimicked zipping her lips with her fingers, a grin spreading across her face while Kyndall propped those fists on her hips again.
I sent up a quick prayer that I wouldn’t embarrass myself before I sprang forward, surprisingly landing a decent cartwheel.
“Could use some work,” Kyndall stated before she clapped slowly.
“You’re probably right.” I huffed out, slipping my shoes back on.
“Girls, are you being nice to my friend?” a gruff voice asked.
Goose bumps spread over my skin as I peered over at Preston. He casually crouched down to let the two girls cling to him like a couple of koala bears.
“Uncle P. I’m always nice,” Kyndall defended.
He kissed both girls on the cheek, completely melting my ovaries, before he smiled at me. “I see you’ve met my goddaughters.”
Oh yeah. I’m in big trouble.
33
Preston
“Uncle P.” Kyndall grinned before she threw herself at me.
Hazel followed, her grin just as wide. After a brief hug, I dropped them back to the grass.
Hazel reached for my wrist, checking the numbers on my digital watch. Her hands moved.Livy? News?
Just as I went to answer, Wesley stepped up next to me. “It’s not quite six, Hazel.” He moved his eyes to Trinity. “Sorry about that.”
“You have some beautiful girls,” she praised.
“Thank you.” He peered down at them with pride. “Beautiful but demanding.”
Hazel asked again.Time for news?
I could tell Trinity had no idea what she was asking. “She wants to know if it’s time for the news.”
Wesley bent down and scooped her up in his arms. “She watches the news every evening at six sharp to see Liv.”
“Oh, right.” Trinity grinned. “She’s an interpreter, right?”
Wesley lifted a brow at me, silently asking why she knew details about my family. I shot him a look right back that clearly saidit’s the news, asshole. Worldwide broadcast, anyone would know her role.
“Yeah. Hazel can hear just fine, but since she communicates through sign language, she’s mesmerized by Liv.” Wesley tickled her sides. “She says her aunt Liv is famous.”
“Well, she is.” Trinity tapped Kyndall on the nose. “And this one here might be one day too. I’m thinking the Olympics.”
“Yes!” Kyndall fist-pumped before spinning in a circle. “She gets it, Dad.”
“Let’s worry about making it through first grade before we start Olympic training.” Wesley placed a squirming Hazel back on the ground.
