“My other sister, Cecelia,” Cosmos says, nodding at the woman by way of introduction.
“Don’t be putting ideas in Ivy’s head.” Camilla wags a finger at Cecelia. “You gave me an ulcer with all your teenage escapades. I don’t need another one from her.” She makes the sign of the cross again and grabs the wine bottle. “We’ll start without her.”
After officially introducing me to Cecelia, Camilla opens the wine and pours a generous splash into the empty glass at the head of the table. When she’s finished, she passes the wine bottle to Cosmos and lets him fill the rest of the glasses, while she takes a seat at the other end of the table. When he gets to my glass, I touch his arm and get him to look at me. Time stops. “Is there some significance to pouring the extra glass of wine?”
I vaguely remember hearing about a Jewish traditionwhere they put out a place setting for Elijah or something, but I’ve never heard of a similar Catholic tradition.
Cosmos shifts in his seat like he’s a little uncomfortable, but he doesn’t look away. “It’s in memory of my dad. Mom always poured his wine first, and after he passed… she kept doing it.”
“You must miss him a lot.”
“Mom, most of all.” He looks away and everyone moves again, passing dishes of food around the table so we can all serve ourselves.
Cecilia passes me a bowl of the risotto. “Speaking of birth control, what precautions are you taking?”
I almost drop the platter. Did Cosmos’ sister just ask me about birth control at the dinner table? Yet again, I find myself wishing I didn’t blush so easily. My face feels like it’s been lit on fire.
“Lay off, Cece. It’s none of your business.” Cosmos takes the dish from me and scoops a generous serving onto my plate.
“It’s exactly my business.” She takes a sip of her wine.
“Remember how I told you my sister was a sex therapist?” Cosmos waves his hand in Cecilia’s direction, as if it explains her question.
I turn back to my food, assuming the conversation is over.
“You aren’t going to answer the question?” Cecilia asks, frowning. “It seems like an important precaution. I mean, I love Riley, but I’m not looking foranother niece or nephew, and Cosmos is certainly not ready to be a dad.”
“I think he’d make a great dad,” Riley says in that matter-of-fact way of hers. The rest of the table looks at her, and she smiles sweetly at her uncle.
“Thanks, pipsqueak. Glad someone’s willing to stand up for me.” Cosmos grins back. “But you’re gonna have to wait a while for cousins. I still need to finish my residency.”
I swallow down another gulp of wine, cataloging the fact that Cosmos wants kids. Good to know. Not that I imagine he’ll put up with me long enough to make it through his residency and get to a place where he’s ready for kids, but… good to know.
He gives his sister a cool, silencing look. “I have it under control.”
“Good. It should be as much the man’s responsibility as the woman’s.” She takes a bite of her food, and I think the conversation is over.
“And when was the last time you were screened for STIs, Hazel?” Cecelia asks, calm as a cucumber.
I choke on a piece of asparagus. Cosmos pounds on my back, but I can’t seem to catch my breath. He stands and moves behind me, and I can tell we’re seconds away from him doing the Heimlich right here at the dinner table, when it finally dislodges and I gasp.
Cosmos gets me a glass of water, and his mom scolds Cecelia. “No more interrogations. Cosmos can handle himself.”
We settle into talking about more comfortablethings. I learn Camilla is a florist, and that she works at the cute little flower shop on the corner next to The Book Bar. Cecelia shares about a book she’s reading on the sexual needs of menopausal women, with veiled hints aimed at persuading her mother to start dating. Which is awkward considering I only just met these people and there’s a child sitting at the table with us silently absorbing everything her aunt shares—a fact no one else seems at all alarmed by. At least she’s not asking me aggressively personal questions about my sex life anymore.
Riley recounts a detailed description of the hike her class took to look for wildlife, which delights Camilla, who genuinely oozes love as she asks follow-up questions.
Through each of these conversations, some part of Cosmos is always in contact with some part of me. He touches me in small, familiar ways. The kind of touches people share when they’re completely comfortable with each other. He squeezes my hand. Presses his knee against mine. Twirls his fingers along my forearm. Rubs my back. It’s nice, but it also makes me jittery. I’ve never had a boyfriend who was so touchy-feely. How is he really my boyfriend already? I didn’t have a chance to let that sink in when his niece asked us earlier, but now it’s all I can think about. Dr. Obnoxiously Hot is my boyfriend.
Halfway through the meal, the front door opens, and a familiar voice calls from the entryway. “Sorry, I’m late. I had to—” Julia cuts off as she steps within view of the dining room. “You didn’t.” She puts herhands on her hips and glares at Cosmos. “This is why Samantha’s covering your shift? You couldn’t even wait a full week?”
My face heats, and I scoot away from Cosmos on the bench. He doesn’t let me get far, though, throwing his arm around my shoulder and holding me in place.
“Hi, sis.” Cosmos’ tone is casual, but his eyes are stubbornly narrowed on Julia, the possessive arm around my shoulder a clear line in the sand.
I want to say something, but I don’t know what. The urge to leave almost has me jumping from my seat, but I drove here with Cosmos. I can feel myself shutting down, the tension working like a dimmer on my brain. I’ve never been good with conflict.
Julia hangs her purse and coat on the coat rack, shaking her head. “You always do this.”
