He nodded curtly. “Can we go swimming?”
The pool was insane. Huge, with a waterfall and a slide. No one was swimming, and I didn’t think this was the type of party where people would be doing that. Large fans were spread out, sending a nice breeze across the lawn, but Owen was super sweaty.
“Let me go get my suit on, and I’ll go with you. Ask Olivia and Matteo if they want to go.” I shot him a wink, and he ran off happily while I went to find Gideon.
He was talking to Mila’s parents under the tent near a fan. He was probably hot, too. “Hey.”
He beamed. “Penn, you remember Aleksei and Polina, Mila’s parents?”
“I do, nice to see you again.” Aleksei and I shook hands, and Polina kissed my cheek. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation, but the children are melting, so I was going to go into the pool with them, if that’s all right?”
“Yeah, I think that’s fine. I’m surprised they lasted this long before asking.” Gideon gave me a chaste kiss. “Go get cool.”
I wasn’t upset that I wasn’t going to be involved in what Livy called grown-up talk. I’d much rather play Marco Polo with the kids.
I went to get my suit on and by the time I got to the pool, there were three very excited kids waiting. I laughed and shouted, “Cannonball!” and jumped in.
CHAPTER THREE
Gideon
I watchedfrom under the tent as Penn splashed around with the kids. In many ways, he was a kid himself. His childhood hadn’t really been a childhood. Sure, he’d had Tenny who’d cared for him at Sunshine House—the orphanage his parents had dumped him at when he was five—but the kids weren’t kind to him, so he’d missed out on a lot. It made me happy to know he was getting to fulfill what was lost to him long ago.
“He is funny man.” Aleksei’s English wasn’t the best, but he was clear enough to understand.
“He’s a lot of things.” I smiled. “But, yes, funny is one of them.”
“Mila mentioned he had illness?” Aleksei asked, concern in his eyes.
“Not an illness, no.” I didn’t want to elaborate. Penn’s mutation, if known to the wrong people, could be used against him and me. If they knew he could never be afraid of them or that he couldn’t be hurt, that would lead to enemies getting creative. I didn’t know what Alex had told Mila, but perhapshe’d said he had an illness to cover for him if she’d overheard something.
“Ah, I must have misunderstood.” Aleksei chuffed. “I do that often.”
I waved my hand. “Not to worry. Penn is as healthy as you and me.”
“Good.”
The rest of the party went well. Mila and Alex danced; there was an endless supply of food and drink. Penn mostly hung out with the kids but every so often came by to say hello and gift me with a kiss.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Hendrix, for letting Alex and me have our engagement party here.” Mila wrapped her arms around me. She was a very touchy-feely girl but also a bit of a spitfire.
“My pleasure, Mila. Anyone who can keep Alex in line is someone special.”
“Thanks a lot, Boss.” Alex smirked.
I patted Alex on the arm. “Anytime.”
“Cake!” Rita shouted. The woman didn’t need a microphone, she was that loud.
My brother, Dean, sidled up beside her and beamed. They’d been married for eleven years, and he was still smitten with her.
“Oh, cake!” Mila bounced on her toes, then dragged Alex to where the three-tiered monstrosity was being placed on a round table.
“Want some?” Penn was still in his swim trunks, but he’d put on a tank top. Little specks of water glistened on his skin, and I suddenly forgot the question. He chuckled. “Gid, babe, cake?”
Oh… I winked at him. “Sorry, you’re distracting. No, none for me.”
He pecked me on the cheek and left to go get some. He helped Olivia, Owen, and Matteo before serving himself. Thethree kids ran off to sit on the large hammock by the pool while Penn came over to me.
