Page 129 of Push

I dodged as many people as possible, stepping past the socialites clinking glasses, and planned my escape route back to the kitchen.

Marnie’s arm shot out to stop me.

“Keep the drinks coming,” she whispered. “You can’t believe how many pieces I’m selling!”

More drinks?Ugh. Couldn’t theactualserver keep everyone hydrated? One floated somewhere, and my arm ached from carrying the heavy trays loaded with Cat’s never-ending hospitality.

“You’re hustling, huh? Go you!” I whispered back. “I’ll see what I can do.” I still grinned like a dope when I dropped the empty drink tray on the kitchen counter. “Another round safely delivered!”

I glanced around the kitchen. No more platters waited to be shuttled to the pergola, and a fresh batch of Cat’s famous punch wasn’t ready yet. A stack of citrus sat untouched by the chopping board.

“Anything else to do?” I asked.

Cat cuddled Noah on her lap, reading him a book. He babbled and squealed as he turned the page. She tore her gaze away from him to smile at me. “No, I think everyone should be happy now until lunch.” She tickled Noah’s tummy. “Isn’t your daddy a good helper?”

Someone snickered across the room.

My head swiveled. I glared at the culprits. The Trouble Triplets. Gwen winced, a guilty look darting to her sandals. Elias bit back a smile, and Liam inclined his chin with no remorse whatsoever. That trio was thicker than thieves. They’d huddled together, barely sparing a word for anyone else at the party but never running out of things to say to each other. There was way too much laughing over there for my liking.

Cat frowned. “It’s nice to have some help for once.” Her voice rose. There was no doubt they’d heard her. “My boys abandon me to toil in the kitchen like some forgotten servant of the stovetop gods without so much as a kiss on the cheek, thank you very much!”

“Mama,” Elias groaned.

Liam smirked. “Dr. Sullivan enjoyshelping.”

My eyes narrowed. What exactly was he inferring? I wanted to flip the bird in his smug face. “I do, actually. It’s better to be useful than sit around on my…” My eyes darted to Noah. “Butt.”

Liam bent his head and muttered something to Elias. I’m pretty sure he insulted me in another foreign language, but the words whipped out so fast I barely registered them. Elias covered his mouth with a fist, but his shoulders shook. The little bastard was laughing.

Gwen sighed. “Guys.” She shot a glare at them, and they quickly straightened up.“Stop.”

Cat shook her head. “The two of you are acting no better than children! Toby’s a guest in this house. What did I say about languages?”

“You said no French or Spanish, Mama.” Liam batted his pale lashes, the picture of innocence. “I didn’t know Japanese wasn’t allowed—”

“JustEnglish.” She pointed an accusing finger at them. “And before you try to use your big brains to find another loophole, there will be no sign language or any of that language you invented—”

“Oh!” Gwen interrupted with claps and a huge grin. “You guys still speak Spinese?”

“Yaks,” Elias said.

What in the world…?

Liam nodded in…agreement? “Oats for breakfast.”

Gwen’s laugh was bright and easy. “Diamonds!”

I glowered at them.Screw them and their cool secret language.

Cat tugged at my sleeve and motioned for me to bend down. “Ignore them,” she whispered. “My boys pretend they’re big-shot investors, but they’re showing off to impress Gwen. She brings out their silly side.”

I pouted. “Yeah.” I wanted Gwen to be silly with me.

“She’s good for them.” Cat’s sunny smile made it impossible to be grumpy. “Your mama raised you to be a good boy, though.With manners. I can see that.” She reached up to pat my cheek. “She must be so proud of you.”

I flicked a look to Gwen. Her grimace matched my own. My mother had barely raised me—and shewasn’tproud. She’d called me a disgrace more than once. The vision of slamming the door in her face flashed into focus.Boom!I had no regrets about that night. Not one.

The doorbell rang.

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