Page 25 of Under the Radar

I pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Awesome.”

I was tugging my T-shirt down as I walked into the kitchen and met the hazel eyes of a pretty woman who was busy setting out food. I stuck out my hand. “Hi, I’m Chase. You must be a friend of Hannah’s. Thanks for doing this.”

She began to laugh, tossing her braid over her shoulder. She was short and curvy. Her hair was red, but not like Charly’s brilliant hue. It wasn’t as light as Hannah’s either. More of a rusty auburn color. She was older but not much. Her smile was wide and familiar. So were the freckles on her nose and cheeks. “Friends, yes,” she murmured. “But a bit closer. I’m Cherry Gallagher.”

“Hi, Cherry,” I responded. Then I paused. “Wait. Gallagher?”

Hannah walked in. “Oh, good. You met my mom.”

I gaped at her. “Your mom?” I looked between them, seeing the similarity now. “That is your mom?”

They laughed, sounding quite a bit alike in their amusement. “Yes, that is my mom.”

Cherry smiled, the resemblance striking. “I had Hannah young.”

“No shit,” I mumbled.

Dom walked in, carrying a case of beer and another one of pop. He stopped, frozen for a moment, his gaze focused on Cherry, then he shook his head and set down the cans. “I, ah, brought refreshments.”

I looked at Cherry, who stared at Dom. His frank appraisal of her was almost embarrassing. Her return of the same gaze was surprising. Then he held out his hand. “Dom,” he said in his deep baritone. “Dom Salvatore.”

“Hi,” Cherry murmured. “Cherry Gallagher. I’m Hannah’s—”

He cut her off. “Older sister.”

“…mother,” she finished.

He blew out a whistle. “Impossible.”

“I assure you, I am.”

“They don’t make mothers like you where I come from.”

She blushed, and I looked between them, feeling as if I should leave them alone. I glanced at Hannah, who was watching, as fascinated as I was.

Cherry tossed her hair. “Then you’ve lived a sheltered life.”

He grinned, the movement changing his countenance. His eyes crinkled, and he looked younger. Almost relaxed. “I guess I need to expand my horizons.” He crossed his arms. “Maybe you could help me with that—” he paused, rubbing his bottom lip and staring at her “—Cherry Gallagher.”

She lifted her eyebrows. “I wouldn’t hold my breath, Mr. Salvatore.”

He grinned again, playful. “We’ll see about that.”

He was still grinning as she swept past him. “I’ll go tell the girls to come get something to eat.”

He spun on his heel and followed her. “I’ll make sure she finds them.”

I looked at Hannah, who was wide-eyed and shocked. “What was that?”

“I’m not sure. But I think it’s going to be interesting.”

Hannah began to laugh. “I hope he’s prepared. She is stubborn, independent, and knows her mind.”

“Hmm, I wondered where you got that from.”

She laughed and slapped my arm. “Stop it. Help me with the food so we can get back to painting.”

I assisted her as best I could since I had no clue about what she was doing. She knew where everything went. What dishes belonged where. What utensil was needed. I just handed her things. It seemed safer.