“The break’s almost over. I should get back early and get ready,” Felicia said. “I’ll go with you guys tomorrow.”
Greg nodded. “Sounds good.”
Anne introduced Yara to Mandy and the rest of the kids and, in seconds, they were all running around together, laughing like they’d known each other forever.
Max leaned in toward Daniel. “Hey, could you help keep Greg company tonight?”
Daniel shot him a knowing look. “You’re really invested now, aren’t you?”
Max just grinned, the corners of his mouth twitching up. “Thanks, man.”
Daniel walked over to greet Greg with an easy handshake, both of them polite but friendly.
More guests kept arriving—some of the city’s big names, a few business owners, some locals. Since it was Anne’s birthday, everyone who had kids seemed to bring them along.
Max handled the guests on his own, moving from group to group, friendly and warm. Felicia deliberately kept her distance, slipping through the evening almost unnoticed.
No one seemed to realize Anne’s mom was at the party. Felicia kept to herself, blending into the background, happy to let Max take the spotlight.
Anne, on the other hand, was in her element. She seemed to know every kid there. Several little boys hovered around her, chatting away, handing her tiny presents, hoping for extra attention. But Paul and Randy stayed glued to her side, eyeing everyone like two pint-sized bodyguards. Anytime a boy talked to Anne for a little too long, they’d swoop right in, breaking things up with practiced ease.
Heather and Felicia watched from a bench in the garden, their eyes on Anne, who looked perfectly at home in the center of all that attention.
Heather let out a soft laugh. “Just imagine all the trouble she’ll cause when she grows up. What kind of guy is going to be good enough? With Max as her dad… I don’t think he’ll ever approve of anyone.”
Felicia smiled. “She’s just a kid. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Night came slowly, draping the villa in cobalt blue. Lights blazed from every window, the whole house shining like a jewel in the darkness.
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