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Tina swings her hand in an arc, proud of the kids’ glittery masterpiece. I shake my head, signaling maybe it was a bit much, and shift where I stand.

“Gio, you said you were going to make her yours, no matter what,” Tina says. At her announcement, several youngsters cheer, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“No matter what, huh?” Sophia turns to me with a knowing smirk.

“I’m so sorry. She’s . . .” I wave my hand in the air, trying to conjure up all the words to explain Tina, but the thing is, she’s wonderful. She gave me a home and love when I didn’t have anyone else. I owe her everything I’ve become, even if she’s a hopeless romantic.

Apparently, she’s rubbed off on me because I want the same thing.

Gio & Sophia 4-eva.

“She’s amazing.” Sophia rubs my arm and plants a kiss on my cheek, making me feel a little better.

As we eat dessert, Sophia shares the G-rated version of how we pranked each other from the moment we met, while Jaz and Tina egged us on from both sides. Her animated stories have everyone in stitches.

“I’m so gonna prank Gio one of these days and get him good. I really need some of that action,” Matt says like he’s feeling inspired.

I cut him a tread lightly glare, which he only takes as encouragement.

“We’ve got to keep the big guy on his toes somehow.” Sophia pats my abs in a calm down manner, when the kids begin sharing their own ideas on how to get me too. Apparently, everyone wants in on the fun.

I grab Sophia’s hand and kiss it as she stands. She tells me that she’ll be back and heads toward the house.

“You’re so screwed.” Casey stands near me as I study Sophia’s swaying hips until she disappears into the kitchen.

“In the best way possible.” I rub my heart.

“We’re on yard-game clean-up duty.” Casey settles a large container with handles on my lap. “You hold the basket. I’ll throw things in.”

“Did you get the message from Amber about Adam?” Casey asks as we move around the yard. She swishes her wrist as she throws the bean bag like a basketball. It smacks my chest and drops into the container.

“How the hell did you know about Amber?” I ask.

“Amber reached out when you didn’t answer her messages. She said she knew Adam’s schedule was important to you.”

I groan as Casey pitches two more beanbags at me. This time, my face is the backboard. I shoot her a stony glare.

Casey shrugs. “I mean, I’m not going to lie. Your change of heart surprised me. Didn’t you tell me you’d rather stick your dick in a blender than talk to your ex-fiancée? Or was it your balls?”

She narrows her eyes as if she’s recalling the original conversation. It seems like forever ago.

“It was an emergency,” I say quickly, defending myself.

“Sure, we arrive in Hawaii, your entire work schedule is falling apart, and that’s not an emergency. But Sophia wanting to find your butthead arch nemesis is an emergency. Makes sense.”

Casey twists her lips and nods. She picks up a croquet mallet and points it at me in a threatening way, and I have the sudden urge to explain.

“It was a love emergency.”

“A love emergency?” she repeats with wide eyes. “Is Matt starting to affect your critical thinking?” She laughs.

“Boss loves me.”

An arm swings around my back. I frown at the body attached.

Unaffected, Matt shoots me a cheesy grin, way too close to my personal space.

“Yes, Boss loves you,” I say to placate him and push him off.