Secret Designs(55)

"Kenny! Sylvie!"

Ari wrapped her arms around the boy, holding him tight against her. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked in wonder.

"We won Lotto, Aunt Ari!"

"What?" Ari cried just as Sylvie reached them and joined in the hug.

Dylan cringed. Why didn't he think of calling Sylvie first and straightening out the story with her?

"Yes, we won Lotto," Kenny continued animatedly. "Not millions of dollars but lots. I can get my new leg and mum can enroll me in this special athletics training with a really great coach. You have to pay this coach some money, you see. But he could help me get to the Paralympics when I'm older," Kenny said before stopping to take a breath.

"That's great, Kenny," Ari said dazedly. "Sylvie, is this true?"

Sylvie simply nodded her head enthusiastically, her eyes darting to Dylan.

"Oh," Ari said, "guys, this is Dylan, my boyfriend. Dyl, this is my sister Sylvie and my nephew Kenny. But you already know that, don't you? Or we won't be here," Ari said to Dylan with narrowed eyes.

"Your boyfriend?" Sylvie asked, staring at Dylan in astonishment. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Dylan opened his mouth to say something when Ari piped in. "I told you about him, Vie."

His head twisted to Ari. When did she tell Sylvie about him?

"You told me you were going out with a hunk you met through friends, then you broke up with him, then you're back together again. You never told me his name," Sylvie said.

"Well, now you know. So, how did this happen? Did you two contact each other?" Ari asked, wagging her forefinger between Dylan and Sylvie.

"Ah, yes," Sylvie responded a tad hesitantly. "I called Jasmine to tell her we wanted to surprise you for your birthday. She said she'd arrange the surprise with Dylan."

Ari chuckled. "You probably spoke to Jasmine when Dylan and I were on a break." She frowned and turned to Dylan. "But you didn't tell Sylvie you're my boyfriend."

"Why don't we go home and we can talk about all this," Dylan suggested. "I knew you'd want to be with Sylvie and Kenny while they're here this weekend, so I thought they could stay with us at my place."

Ari grinned and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him soundly on the lips, before giving her sister and nephew another hug.





*******



"Nice car," Sylvie commented as they got into Dylan's Mercedes.

"Hey, doesn't this car look like the one your old boyfriend had, Aunt Ari? The one Mum calls the arrogant prick?" Kenny asked innocently.

"Kenny!" Sylvie and Ari exclaimed in unified horror.

"Don't say those words again," Sylvie reprimanded.

"Which ones? Arrogant prick?"

Dylan swallowed his chuckle.

"What does prick mean?" Kenny continued. "I guess it's a forbidden word for kids like me, huh? Like the F word."

"Yes! Now behave," Sylvie snapped.

"Sorry," Kenny mumbled. "I'm sure Dylan's not a pr —. I'm sure Dylan's a nice guy, not like the other guy. Even though they're both rich."

"Yes, he's a nice guy, Kenny," Ari said with a resigned sigh, reaching to squeeze Dylan's hand. He squeezed it back, assuring her he didn't mind Kenny's ramblings.

"Yes, I really am a nice guy, Kenny," he confirmed.

"Good. 'Cause if you hurt my Aunt Ari, Dylan, I'm going to hunt you down," Kenny said fervently. "I can run fast, you know. Faster than kids with two real legs. You can't run away from me."

"Yes, I heard you're a good runner, Kenny," Dylan said with a smile. "I promise I'll be good to your auntie. I wouldn't want to be chased by you."

"Good. I'm the only man in this family, you know. That's why I look after my mum and auntie."

At the corner of his eye, Dylan saw Ari's amused smile.

"I understand, Kenny," Dylan said. "You're a good boy—looking after your mum and your auntie."

"Yes, thank you. But you can look after Aunt Ari, if you like. She lives too far away from us."

"It will be my pleasure. Thank you for your trust."

"You're welcome."

For the rest of the trip, Kenny entertained them with stories about school, his favourite sportsmen, and his favourite food. Dylan was glad he could do something for Ari's wonderful nephew. A child like him should be encouraged to follow his dreams, no matter what his circumstances were.





*******



"What's this?"

Dylan watched Ari's face as she opened the envelope her sister handed her.

"Sylvie," Ari whispered. "Why?"

"I'm just paying you back, silly," Sylvie replied. "I told you we won some money from Lotto."