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“Nico!”
“She is. She made Liam’s life hell when he was a kid. Part of the reason he decided to use his mom’s maiden name. He couldn’t even stand sharing a last name with her.”
“That’s terrible.”
“Yeah, she’s always hated him. She dotes on her precious Michael and acts like Liam is a dirty secret.”
“That’s terrible. Poor Liam.”
Wow. He really was good. He already had her feeling sorry for Liam. Of course, Liam would kick his ass if he found out Nico was telling her this stuff.
“What do you paint?” he asked her. He lay back on his side but kept his hand on hers. His T-shirt rode up as he moved, revealing his abs. He watched as her gaze moved down his stomach.
Oh, yeah, she was interested.
“Lottie!” The scream came from the trees, and she startled. Her hand slid out from his and he immediately missed her touch.
Damn it.
Children had terrible timing.
“What is it?” she asked, getting to her feet as Ace appeared, running. “What’s wrong? Is it Keir? Has something happened? I’ll go get Gerald.”
“We’re hungry!” he yelled. “Can we take some food out there so we can eat while we’re building?”
“Oh, thank goodness.” She put her hand to her chest. “Yes, I suppose. I’ll pack some in the basket.”
“Thanks.” Then Ace frowned at him. “You wanna come eat with us, Lottie?”
“Thank you, honey. But I’m fine here.”
“Sure?” Ace leaned in closer to her as she started spooning some food out onto two plates that he guessed was for the two of them. She left the rest in the containers and put them in the basket for the boys. “’Cause if this guy is bothering you, I can take care of him.”
The little boy’s chest puffed out.
Oh, thought he could take him, did he? Yeah, this kid had gumption. Kind of reminded him of himself when he was a kid.
“Ace, that’s not very nice. Here you are.” As she stretched out her arm with the basket of food, Ace tripped and grabbed hold of her arm just below her elbow to steady himself.
Lottie winced, and Nico frowned. What was that about?
But then Ace righted himself and grabbed the basket, racing off with a shouted thanks.
She shook her head. “All the food is going to be a mess by the time he gets it there.”
“Boys don’t care about that. What’s wrong with your arm?”
“What?” She turned to him, looking startled.
“You flinched when he grabbed you. Why?”
“Oh, nothing.” She turned away, picking some of the cutlery she’d laid out.
Nico frowned. He wanted to insist that she tell him. Show him. He hated that there were things about her that he didn’t know. But more than that was the fact that she was hurting. Maybe Ace had just grabbed hold too hard. He was a solid kid.
Or was there something wrong with her arm?
Fuck.
