“I’m starving, Mom. Got anything to snack on?”
“Sure, there are some cookies on the counter, but you know pizza is on its way. It should arrive around the same time your Dad pulls up.”
I sit up, interest piqued. “Pizza?”
Zia chuckles, BB in her lap enjoying being pampered. “Another part of the tradition. We enjoy a feast of pizza as we decorate to our heart's content. You do like pizza, right?”
I nod, ignoring my stomach growling. “It’s my favorite.”
“I’ll just wait until the food arrives then,” Chase tells his mom.
We steal a glance at one another, then quickly break free, as if we both want to avoid eye contact. One look may just ignite the flame between us.
I hear the front door open.
Then footsteps.
A young girl with long, brown ringlets barrels into the living room, a smile just as wide as her shimmering blue eyes.
“Chase!” she squeaks and zigzags toward her big brother’s open arms.
“Oh, Mads,” he says, whirling his sister around, her boot-covered feet dangling in the air. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.” She giggles then cranes her neck and casts a glance at me. “Is that”—she looks to Chase—“my soon-to-be sister-in-law?” she asks, her tone dripping with glee.
My heart melts into my stomach, leaving a warm feeling bubbling inside.
If this family gets any more amazing, I may just have to ask them if they can adopt me, seeing how I can’t marry into it, and all.
“Yup,” Chase says, then cuts her loose, nudging her forward. “Go say hi, silly.”
Maddie approaches, finger in her mouth, a grin wider than the Hudson River.
I rise from the couch, more nervous to make her acquaintance than I was his own mom. “Hello, Maddie. I’m Evelyn.” I extend a hand to shake hers and the younger, spitting image of Chase, charges me. Before I know it, her arms are locked around my waist, like a bear cub latched to its mom.
“It’s so good to meet you, Evelyn.” She peers up at me. “I like your accent, too. Reminds me of Bridget Jones.”
We—Chase, Zia, Maddie, and I—share a laugh, and then a tall man, who has that same commanding stance as Chase, walks in, two boxes of pizza in his hands.
“What’s so funny in here?” he says, a hint of frolic in his tone.
“Dad, let me help with those.” Chase dashes to help Mr. Hunter with the boxes of pizza. “We were just laughing at Maddie’s candidness.”
“She gets that from your mom.” He eyes me and cocks his head to the side, a smirk that has the same characteristics as his son’s. “You must be the lovely Evelyn Bloom. Zia sent me a text message earlier, telling me everything she knows about you so far—all good, by the way.”
I bob my head. “Yep, I’m Evelyn. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Hunter.”
He meets me halfway, ignores my handshake, and gives me a hug. “Welcome to the family. And, please call me OG. That’s what everyone else calls me whenever Chase Jr. and I are in the same space.”
Two more waltz in: an older woman, hair the color of silver, and an older gentleman, both arms locked, looking like a pair of newlyweds.
“Granny.” Chase hugs the woman, kisses her on the cheek, then shakes her companion’s hand.
Chase’s grandmother welcomes me with open arms and all I can think is how freaking wonderful these people are.
How did I get so lucky to snag a gig as good as this one?
