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He quickly unravels it and reads aloud, “Persuasionby Jane Austen.”
“You remembered?” A genuine question slips through my lips.
Theo nods and whispers, “I remembered.”
“Leave it to my son to be astute and observant. It is a Greek trait, no?” Athena slices through whatever tension is going on between Theo and me and incites roars of laughter, applause that Theo won the bet, and awes from Tess and Sarah.
“A bet’s a bet.” I break our eye contact and address the rest of the family. “When we get to Hawaii, my first stop will be the karaoke bar.” And then shortly after that, I will drown myself in the Pacific.
Chapter Eight
I wake up with a smile on my face. Dinner with Theo’s family last night went better than I ever expected and later this morning, we will be on a plane headed for Hawaii. I jump out of bed to take a shower, pack my bags, and pick out a travel outfit that will be comfortable enough for me and fashionable enough for Eve’s stamp of approval.
I roll my bags to the living room and brew myself a cup of coffee before the long travel day ahead. My phone dings as I pour hazelnut creamer into my coffee, and I see Theo’s name pop up.
Theo: Good morning, Catalina. Do you need a ride to the airport? I hope you haven’t come to your senses and changed your mind.
Cate: Nope. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. And I don’t need a ride. Eve and Tommy are headed to the airport, so I’ll ride with them.
Theo: Great. I’ll meet you at the gate.
I place my phone down on the kitchen counter and take a sip of my steaming hot coffee. I suddenly feel eyes on me. I slowly glance up from my cup and see Eve and Tommy grinning at me from the hall.
“What?” I ask, my brows arched together to almost form a unibrow.
Eve pats Tommy’s shoulder. “Our baby is all grown up. Traveling to Hawaii with the man of her dreams.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, stop it.”
“You packed the red bikini, right?” She points a finger at me, squinting her face so I take her seriously.
“I packed the red one and the green one.” I nod and press my lips to my cup.
“Good girl.” Eve pours herself a cup from what is left in the coffee maker. “It’s wise to be armed with options.” She stirs in more sugar than I think is necessary. She sips it and moans in delight. “Sweet like me.”
“You know, too much sugar can be a bad thing.” Tommy squeezes behind her to grab a box of fudge cookies hidden behind the granola bars he was supposed to be eating as a snack.
“And you’re the resident expert on too much, am I right?” One of Eve’s eyebrows arches as she rubs his tummy. “When do I start getting to make my three wishes?”
“The world has enough problems without you having access to three wishes, Thin Mint.” He scarfs down a cookie with a smile.
“Thin Mint?” I ask. “That’s new.”
“Well, she’s thin,” he motions up and down Eve’s body as she leans against the counter.
“And the mint part?” I crunch into a strawberry pop tart.
“Minty fresh,” Eve says.
“More likely because I just don’t like the smell of mint.”
“You don’t like mint?” I gasp. “Not even peppermint in hot cocoa during the cold season?”
“Who wants to sink their teeth into some chocolate and feel like they’re also consuming toothpaste at the same time?” He argues, clearly distraught. “Who even thought about putting those two things together?” He motions his head toward Eve, “Probably a monster like her.”
“If I had come up with the idea, I’d be a millionaire, and I wouldn’t bat an eye at those people eating that disgusting treat.” Eve downs her coffee.
“Finally, you two agree on something.” I point out.
