Robert’s gaze went straight to his brother, and the two bumped chests as if they were still in college. “Great to see you, superstar,” Robert said, now hugging his brother.
“Back atcha. Thanks for fitting us in on your busy schedule. It means a lot to me that you could make it.”
“I always have time for my big brother and his family.” Being in the same room as Tommy immediately made Robert’s blood pump. Other than Amber, there’s no one he’d rather spend time with. He suddenly realized he rudely left her standing in the doorway without introducing her to anyone while he greeted his brother. He quickly turned to put his arm around her, but she was already in the entry foyer engaged in a lively conversation with Angel and Jessi about her pie.
“Sorry,” he apologized to Amber. “I get carried away whenever I see my brother. I guess you already met Angel and Jessi.” He hung his arm over Tommy’s shoulder. “This is my brother, Tommy Blade. Tommy, this is Amber, my girlfriend.”
“Great to finally meet you,” Tommy said. “Robert talks about you all the time. I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother happier.” He placed his hands on Amber’s shoulders and kissed her cheek.
A blush covered her face, and her eyes twinkled an amazing shade of lavender. “The pleasure is all mine. I have to admit, I’m a little star-struck right now meeting the three of you.”
“Us?” Tommy looked at her as if she were crazy. “We’re just Robert’s family. He’s the celebrity around here.”
Robert received a side hug from his brother that was more like a headlock, and the two engaged in some light-hearted roughhousing.
“OK!” Angel interrupted the shenanigans. “Let’s move into the great room before someone gets hurt.”
Jessi immediately looped her arm through Amber’s, and the two beauties led the way, leaving the men to trail behind.
“She’s absolutely gorgeous, Robert,” Angel commented. “The two of you make a beautiful couple. And she’s very sweet. She made a pie.” His voice took on an incredulous tone. “No one’s ever brought a homemade pie to one of my dinners before.”
Tommy jutted his chin toward the girls. “Jessi already loves her.”
“I can see that.” A vision of the future, where Robert and Amber were a married couple visiting for dinner, briefly passed behind Robert’s eyes before two squealing munchkins interrupted his thoughts.
“Uncle Robert!”
“Uncle Robert!”
Tessa and Lucas came running at him full speed, and he scooped them up in his arms while they choked him in a hug. “You two are getting so big. Soon, I’m not going to be able to pick you up anymore.”
“We missed you,” Tessa said. “I have a new dolly. Her name’s Muriel.”
“Muriel?” Robert gave her a quizzical smile. “That’s an uncommon name.”
“It’s Miss Silver’s first name. My teacher. She’s really pretty and has black hair just like me.”
“School? You’re in school now?”
“Uh-huh. First grade,” Tessa said.
“What else did I miss?”
“I lost a tooth!” Lucas exclaimed, drawing his lips back and pointing to the empty space in front.
“Yeah,” Tommy said, giving Angel the side eye. “And I hear the tooth fairy is giving out hundred dollar bills these days.”
“Inflation,” Angel stated, with a shrug of his shoulder.
These kids were growing up so fast. Even though Robert came by to visit every chance he had, he still felt as if he was missing too much of their lives. “I have gifts for you guys,” he told the kids. “But first I want you to meet someone.”
“Your girlfriend.” Tessa nodded.
“Did you meet her already?”
“No. We wanted to say hi to you first.”
“She’s really pretty,” Lucas added, smiling like a little flirt.
