Page 171 of Double Fault

“It’s Go Fish,” Maddie chirps. “What’s poker?”

Ebba cocks her head to the side, lips pursed.

Hands on my hips, I stare her down. “Your brother is annoying.”

She snorts. “I shared a womb with him, and you think I don’t know that? Go fish.” She sets her cards down and lifts her chin. “If it’s any consolation, he likes you and he’s genuinely worried about you.”

“I’m fine,” I say, my tone way too defensive. “You guys don’t need to worry about me so much.”

“Can’t help it when you’re constantly moping,” Ebba replies. “Got any sixes?”

“Go fish.”

“I’m not moping. I’m…” I wave a hand, searching for words I can’t find.

“See?” She tosses her head back and laughs.

I scratch at my chin. Dammit. Why is it that everywhere I turn, people are calling me out on my bullshit? I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like if I’d returned to the circuit sooner.

“Maddie, you want to go do something fun?” Ebba drops her cards to the table.

“Sure.” Maddie puts down her cards too. “Like what?”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I face my daughter. “You’re going to abandon your dad just like that?”

“I’m not under strict orders like you are.”

Dammit, even the kid is busting my chops. She’s right, of course. Since I’m here competing, I’m not free to wander around like she is.

“I thought we could go shopping,” Ebba says, gathering the cards into a pile.

“I love shopping.”

I point a finger in warning at my kid. “Don’t you dare get any more of those jelly bear things.”

She rolls her eyes and hops to her feet. “Jellycat, Dad. And that’s not fair. There are special ones here in Paris that I can’t get anywhere else.”

Ebba laughs and points at me. “That’s girl speak forhand over the credit card; I’m getting more stuffies.”

With a groan, I dig my wallet out of my pocket.

“Don’t go overboard, kiddo.”

“I won’t,” she promises, doing a little twirl.

She’s definitely coming back here with twenty more of those things. God help me.

CHAPTER 43

SABRINA

“I can’t watch,”I say, peeking between my fingers.

“Want me to change the channel?” Alyssa suggests, reaching for the remote.

“Don’t you dare,” I snap, smacking her advancing hand.

Lucy laughs from the chaise part of the couch, where she’s balancing a popcorn bowl on her bump. It’s wild to think I’ll be an aunt in a matter of weeks.

---