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twenty-nine
Callie
I thought I would be more nervous going to Evan’s family dinner, but it’s hard to be when I’ve gotten off more in the last month than I have in years and his mom is so nice. Actually, everyone is, and man, is Evan loved. I know he said he feels like they handle him with kid gloves, but I think that’s just how they love him. It’s special, and it makes me think of my relationship with Aviva. The endless and overwhelming bonds shared between family members who truly love and want to be in your family.
It makes me wish I’d had more time with my mom and the dad I had when she was alive. My sister did her best, but sometimes I wonder how it would have been if she was just my sister instead of my mom, dad, and sister. I know I wouldn’t be sitting between the members of this family, yearning for my own family, if I’d had what they have. I also wouldn’t feel small. I’d be thankful for another family like mine. Instead, I am surprisingly jealous.
“Callie, I love your dress. Did you get it here in town?” Shelli, Evan’s eldest sister, asks.
Her husband, Aiden, gives her a look. “You have clothes you don’t wear.”
“Which is none of your business, Mr. Brooks.”
“It is his business when you’re spending all his money,” Posey razzes, giving her sister a playful look. I can’t decide who I like more. Posey is thicker than Shelli, quite funny, very stern, and kind of scary, but there is something about her that I like a lot. Shelli is over the top. Big personality and beautiful. So damn beautiful. I enjoy them both immensely.
Shelli scoffs. “Um, I am a retired Broadway singer. I have my own money.”
“That you blew on your kid. Who needs a hockey stick at a week old?” Posey’s husband, Boon, says. He holds their little boy in his lap as he stabs the fried chicken with a fork. Zac is absolutely adorable and reminds me so much of Vance. Makes me miss him.
“I bought Zac one too,” she throws back at him.
“Yes, but he didn’t need it,” Boon says. “It is really cool, though. So, thanks.”
They all chuckle as I glance at Evan, who is laughing around his drumstick. I look across the table to Shelli and smile. “To answer your question, I got it in South Carolina. In a little boutique downtown.”
“Oh, I’ll need to hit it up the next time I go,” she says, and Aiden groans.
I watch as Mrs. Adler giggles and Mr. Adler shakes his head. He does that a lot, and boy oh boy, if Evan ages to look even half as good as his dad, I will be one lucky lady. Not that I am assuming we’ll grow old together. I mean, it would be cool, I would have a bigger family… Whoa, okay, stop thinking.
But it’s hard to ignore that Shea Adler is one very fine man.
I think Evan looks just like him, but then he makes a face like his mom, and I can’t help but laugh to myself. “The food is amazing, Mrs. Adler. Thank you for having me.”
She grins over at me, her eyes so kind, but I don’t miss the sharpness in them. “Thank you. Of course, I’ve heard loads about you—not from Evan since he is very private except when it comes to Owen. Thankfully, Owen tells me everything.”
I smile as I look at Evan, who shrugs. “My brother has a huge mouth.”
“They’ve always been like that, only telling each other things. A little gang of two,” Mr. Adler says.
Quinn, who seems to be quiet like Evan, nods. “Yeah, they never let me join.”
“Because you’re too smart,” Evan says simply, and both of his sisters nod.
“Exactly.”
Quinn gives his parents a look. “Why couldn’t you guys give me a sibling to be my friend?”
“You were adopted,” Shelli says automatically.
“No, he was an accident,” Posey adds.
“Actually, I found him in the creek and brought him home to ask to keep him. You’re welcome, by the way,” Evan throws out, and I’m snorting with laughter.
Everyone has such straight faces, while Mr. and Mrs. Adler shame everyone and Quinn gives his parents a long-suffering look. “If I didn’t look like the rest of these clowns, I’d believe them.”
“Sorry?” Mrs. Adler says to me, and when I look at Evan, he flashes me a grin.
“No apologies needed. I love family stuff. I didn’t have that growing up,” I admit, and she gives me such a pitiful look. “Really, it’s okay. My sister Aviva is absolutely the best.”
“That’s how I know you!” Shelli says then. “Aviva is married to Nico Merryweather.”
I feel Evan’s gaze on me. “Yeah, he’s about to adopt me.”
“That’s awesome. He’s a good dude. And y’all did my campaign for breast cancer awareness.”
Evan glances over at me. “You did?”
“I did, with Aviva. She was pregnant,” I say, and everyone is looking at me curiously. “I didn’t have breast cancer. My sister and mom did, though. I am a carrier for the gene, so I had the surgery to prevent the chance of getting it myself.”
Mrs. Adler’s eyes are so damn concerned and sweet. “Oh, you strong girl.”
I smile proudly as Evan nods. “She is. I’ve never seen someone fall over and over again and get right back up. She’s also really good with kids with autism. She works at the center on campus.” Everyone looks back at me, and I feel a little shy. “Plus, she’s super hot and smart. She’s carrying a 3.8 while working and training every day.” I meet his gaze, and he smiles widely at me. “I think she’s pretty damn incredible.”
Then out of nowhere, he leans in, kissing my jaw. I beam, and as I look around, I notice everyone is watching us, such love in their expressions. I’m pretty sure Mrs. Adler has tears in her eyes, and Mr. Adler nods, his eyes so blue and entrancing as he says, “Seems like Evan picked a winner.”
“About time,” Shelli adds.
“For real. I thought he’d live with Mom forever,” Posey throws out.
“Or become a dog dad, with all kinds of dogs,” Quinn says.
