Sadly, my prayers go unanswered. Or more rightly, answered by a god who hates me.
Chance opens the door. He’s in a patterned shirt and jeans with boots. I sweep my gaze over him making sure to avoid his eyes.
He sighs as if that bothers him. “Come in.”
I skirt past him. The other person I see is Baxter. My smile is wide. “Hello! We meet again.” I stretch my arms and he holds me in a hug.
He pulls away and looks over me. “You look too good for a Sunday dinner. I’m jealous.” He glances over my shoulder, a smile in his eyes.
Both Chance and I don’t address that. By the end of tonight, there’d be nothing to be jealous about. We’d be over.
“You look amazing yourself.”
“That’s my MO.” He bows. “Can’t do different.”
“Oh, I know.” I slip my hand around the curve of his elbow. He lifts his arm seamlessly, giving me a handhold. “Where’s everyone?”
“Eager, aren’t you?” He beams, pride in his eyes.
If only he knows I’m trying to escape his brother. I’d take the entire Easton clan over Chance right now.
“Aunt Felicia and Lucy are in the kitchen. Dad’s choosing the wine with Landon.” He starts off. “Come on. The kitchen’s most interesting.”
Aunt Felicia beams as we walk in. “Maddie, my dear. We have missed you coming around.” She wipes her hands on her apron and comes to blow air kisses beside my cheeks. “Come, sit.”
“I was thinking I could help?”
She ushers me to a stool by the island. “What? No way. Not when you’re looking like a princess.”
“Maybe I should dress up too, then I won’t have to slice shit.” Lucy eyes her mother as she chops carrots.
Aunt Felicia shakes her head. “Even if you’re wearing the crown jewels, you’ll still do your tasks.”
Lucy walks past me. “Lucky,” she whispers, then she pauses. “You smell good.”
A blush heats my cheeks. “Thank you. And you—hmm.”
She laughs. “I look a mess, I know.” She shrugs. “I’ll clean up before dinner, I promise.”
I smile back. My eyes stray and fall on Chance. He stands by the door, looking half in, half out.
I swallow and look away, catching Baxter’s gaze. His eyes narrow and he looks between Chance and me.
“Aunt Felicia,” I say a little too loudly. “I should help.”
She sighs. “Fine, if you insist.”
I climb off the stool and stand next to her.
“You’ll taste.” She scoops a bit of sauce and holds it out to me.
The taste hits my tongue and I can’t help my sigh.
“Delicious!”
She smiles and gives me more to taste. Even though I’m occupied, I see Baxter inch toward Chance and speak to him in a low voice. I can’t make out what they’re saying, but they look in my direction often. And once, Chance meets my eyes. The look in his eyes causes me to sputter.
“It’s bad?” Aunt Felicia looks alarmed.
