Page 69 of Perfectly Grumpy

I gape at her. “Oh, you think I took the pictures forme? It’s for social media. For his career.”

“And to remember this reunion,” Tate adds. He steps closer, sliding an arm around my waist with perfect timing. Nothing spontaneous about it. Just Tate executing the boyfriend role with the same methodical approach he brings to hockey plays. I have to keep reminding myself this is all pretend, a performance where every move is strategic. Because that’s how Tate operates, even when it comes to fake relationships.

“Well, we’re not planning on staying,” I say quickly, grabbing Annie’s leash.

“Not staying?” Olivia asks, coming up behind Granny. “The kids were looking forward to swimming with you.”

Kaylie and Camden are already splashing in the waves with their life jackets on, while Jake sets up a beach umbrella nearby.

Tate looks at me. “I think we should stay.”

“Are you sure?” I ask. This is only the first full day of the reunion, and we still have to survive an entire week of constant togetherness.

“I’d love to hang out with your family.”

“Oh, good!” Olivia says. “I’ll tell the kids you’re staying.” She leaves to help Jake set up the rest of the beach blankets and chairs.

“Thank you,” I mouth to Tate as Annie sniffs around our feet.

Tate shrugs. “This is what I signed up for. It brings back good memories of playing with my sister.”

I glance at the bracelet on his wrist, four simple beads that carry so much meaning. “Hope was really lucky to have you as a brother.”

Tate’s fingers brush over the beads. “Yeah, well, I’m not sure I’d agree. When we’d swim together, I used to calculate the perfect angle to knock her off the inner tube for the biggest splash. She’d get so mad she’d cry, but then beg me to do it again five minutes later.”

For a moment, I see him differently—not as “Sheriff” with his rulebook and facts, or the man who uses knowledge as a shield—but a boy who understood that sometimes, the most perfect moments have nothing to do with numbers at all.

“I think Kaylie and Camden would be really disappointed if you didn’t knock them off an inner tube at least once today,” I say, nodding toward the kids.

His mouth lifts on one side. “Then Uncle Tate is going to give them the biggest splash of their lives.” He leaves his glasses behind and runs into the water to play with the kids while I settle onto the blanket next to my sister with Annie.

My sister follows my gaze. “At least you get something fun to watch.”

“I’m not staring at him,” I clarify. “I’m watching the kids.”

“Sure you are,” she says with a knowing grin. “You’re handling this family reunion way better than I thought you would.”

“Thanks to Tate,” I say. “He’s making it more fun.”

For a moment, I watch as Tate puts Camden on an inner tube and then pushes him into a wave. “You know, Liv, Tate just told me about a job posting. Kansas City’s NHL team just fired their PR manager.”

Olivia’s smile falters slightly. “You’re not seriously?—”

“I’ve always been clear about my goals,” I say gently. “This town, the Crushers—they were never meant to be my final stop.”

“I know,” she sighs, tracing a pattern in the sand with her finger. “As your sister, I guess I just selfishly want you to stay longer. Is that terrible? At least until all the kids are older—for my sanity?”

The sound of splashing and laughter interrupts me before I can respond.

“Aunt Lauren, come swimming with us!” Kaylie calls from the water, bobbing next to Tate on the inner tube now.

“I’m fine here on the beach,” I shout back.

“Oh, come on, Aunt Lauren,” Tate chimes in. “You don’t want to be the boring aunt, do you?”

My sister laughs. “How does he know just how to bait you?”

“It’s a special gift,” I mutter, rising from the blanket. “Would you keep an eye on Annie while I play with the kids?” I hold out the leash.

---