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“No, I’m not,” she whined. “But if you keep eatin’ it, there won’t be any left for the pizza.”
Nora looked up from her cutting board, arching an eyebrow at her son, who sat between his two younger sisters on the opposite side of the kitchen island. At thirteen, he was already eating everything in sight. If he continued to follow in his father’s footsteps—and no one doubted he would—he’d be a varsity football player before they knew it. She had no idea how she was going to keep him fed for the next five years.
“Court, how many times do I have to tell you not to call your sister names? It hurts her feelings.”
“But mom—”
She gasped, “Did you just call mebutt-mom?I amnota butt-mom.”
This made Lili giggle and Court rolled his eyes.
“As for you, little missy, I saw your brother eat the pepperoni, and there’s no need to tell on him. There will be plenty for the pizza, I promise.”
“Is it almost time to sprinkle the cheese?” Genny asked, leaning against her forearms on the counter.
“Almost. You can grab it from the fridge, if you want.”
“Okay,” she chirped, slipping down from her seat.
Genny had been Nora’s little sous chef almost as long as she could stand on her own two feet. If Nora trusted her with a knife, it would be Genny slicing the vegetables for their pizza—but her eleven-year-old was still too clumsy for comfort. For the time being, her job on pizza night was to sprinkle the cheese.
“Hey, mom? Have you seen my keys?” asked Evie as she descended the stairs.
Nora looked over at her oldest. She was dressed in a pair of cut-off jean shorts and one of Lawson’s old Vollucci Security t-shirts. She’d ripped off the neck, so it draped over one of her shoulders, and she wore it knotted at her waist.
“Babe, we have a key-hook for a reason.”
“Ugh, I know, I know. Dang it. I’m gonna be late.”
“Evie-B, you’re leavin’? But it’s pizza night…” Lili reminded her sister.
“Where you goin’?” asked Court.
“I know, sweetie. I’ll try not to miss the next one,” said Evie, responding to Lili. To Court, she answered, “If I can find my keys, I’m goin’ to babysit for the Dobbs’.”
“I think I saw some keys on the couch.”
“Really?” Evie pressed up onto her tiptoes, spun toward the living room, and hurried for the couch. “Yes!” She raced back to the kitchen, headed straight for Court, and pressed a kiss into his thick, wavy, brown hair. “Thank you.”
“Do youhaveto go?” asked Lili.
Evie pulled her fingers through Lili’s long ponytail, the same length as her own. Evie was still Nora’s mini-me, but Lili was Evie’s. There were nine years that separated them, but the bond between the two was unique. While Evie had a special relationship with each of her siblings, Liliadoredher oldest sister. In a couple months, they’d all have to adjust to a house with no Evie when she left for UT—but Nora knew Lili would struggle the most.
“I promised, Lili-G. Uncle Finn and Aunt Sadie need a date night.”
“Okay,” she sighed.
“Save me a slice?”
Lili nodded, then held out her pinkie. Evie curled her pinkie around her sister’s, then they each leaned forward and kissed their thumbs.
“Al’right, I’m outta here,” said Evie, hooking her purse over her arm. “Bye, love you!”
Everyone said their own version of goodbye at the same time Lawson walked through the door.
“Hi, daddy. Bye, daddy.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa—not so fast. Where you goin’?”
