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“Tyler!” His fifteen-year-old sister, Zoe, flew out of her chair and hurled herself into his arms.
“Hey, Pita, good to see you, too.”
She pulled away from him, making a face. “Are you kidding me with the Pita? Still?” Zoe’s gaze went past him to Dani, and her green eyes widened. “You brought a girl?”
Tyler rolled his eyes at his sister’s loud whisper. “Like I said, still a pain in the—”
“You watch your mouth, Tyler. You’re not too old for me to get a bar of soap.” His mother came up and practically shoved Zoe out of the way to hug him before turning her attention to Dani. “I apologize for my children’s appalling behavior. I blame their father.”
“No, it’s fine. Really. It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Best. I’m Dani, and this is Noah.”
“You call me Gloria.” She scooted closer to Noah, smiling as she held her arms out to him. “Hello, Noah. Wanna come see me? We have all kinds of finger foods, a fruit and veggie tray—”
“He’s allergic to strawberries,” Tyler blurted.
His mom’s eyebrow rose at his outburst, but otherwise, she just waited for Noah. The toddler sucked his thumb, eyeing her seriously and then looking at Dani.
“It’s okay,” she said encouragingly.
“You know what, why don’t you two come sit by me, and then he’ll get used to me.” Gloria took Dani’s hand and gave Tyler an expectant look. “You don’t mind if we steal your . . . friend, do you?”
Tyler shook his head. “No, that’s fine. She knows to yell the safe word.”
Dani gave him a dirty look.
Tyler greeted each of his aunts, who were hardly paying him any mind, their maternal focus on Noah and how adorable his curls were. He finally escaped with Zoe hot on his heels.
“Dude, is that your kid?” she asked bluntly.
“No, dummy.”
“I’m just asking. You’re the one who showed up without telling anyone you were bringing a girl. I mean, I don’t even think I’ve seen you with a girl!”
“Who brought a girl?” Dereck asked from the kitchen doorway, his boyfriend, Chris, standing behind him. Like Tyler, Dereck had their mother’s blue eyes, but his hair was dark like Gareth’s. He was shorter than Tyler by a few inches but stockier. Chris was African American with a shaved head and glasses, exactly Dereck’s height but wiry.
“Our brother brought home a girl,” Zoe said, bringing Tyler out of his head.
“No shit?” Dereck went to the back window, and his jaw dropped. “Is that her kid?”
“That’s her son, Noah,” Tyler growled.
Chris hovered over Dereck’s shoulder. “She’s pretty.”
“How long have you been dating?” Zoe asked.
“A couple of weeks.”
“Really?” Dereck dragged the word out, and Tyler was grateful when Chris elbowed him. “What?”
“Give your brother a break, or he might not bring her back.”
“Chris, you in the kitchen?” Gareth yelled.
“Yeah, Pop.”
“Grab me a beer, will ya?”
Chris went over to the fridge. Dereck was giving him a look that appeared to be a mix of humor and exasperation.
