“Nice to meet you, Robbie,” Harper took his hand. “Hi, Henry.”
Henry, a miniature version of his brother, waved cheerfully, and his smile showed that he was missing a front tooth.
“Robbie and Henry are hanging out while Mrs. Agosta takes their sister to the doctor.”
“Her snot’s green. It’s gross,” Henry announced, tossing his glove in the air.
“Wow, that is gross,” Harper agreed. “Do you guys want to stay for dinner?”
“What are you having?” Robbie asked.
Luke cuffed him on the back of the head.
“What?” Robbie asked. “I don’t want to stay if it’s like liver and garbage.”
Luke wrapped him in a headlock. “You’re such a little jerk,” he said, ruffling Robbie’s hair.
“Burgers, tater tots, and salad.” Harper ticked off on her fingers. “Is that better than liver and garbage?”
“Well, the burgers and tater tots are,” Robbie agreed.
“I love tater tots,” Henry squealed. He launched himself at Harper’s legs for a quick hug before spinning off to tag his brother. “You’re it,” he shouted.
The boys tore off in a high-energy game of tag, leaving Harper and Luke alone on the patio.
“Sorry about that. I should have texted you to warn you about the extra testosterone.”
“It’s a nice surprise. Besides, two extra mouths will go further on the eight-pack of burgers I brought home.”
“I’ll fire up the grill,” he grinned. “Good luck talking them into the salad.”
***
Harper did talk them into the salad, but had to promise they could each pick an ingredient before they agreed. Harper chose tomatoes. Robbie wanted bacon. Henry decided on Cheetos.
“Can we really do that?” Robbie whispered over the counter with concern.
Harper shrugged. “Maybe they’ll taste like croutons?”
She put Henry in charge of putting the tater tots on the baking sheet and Robbie rinsing the lettuce while she fried the bacon and diced tomatoes.
“Do you live here with Mr. Luke?” Henry asked, adjusting the last tater tot.
“I do.”
“Are you married?”
“Nope. Are you?”
Henry frowned. “No. Girls are gross.”
“Robbie, do you think girls are gross?” Harper asked, as he brought the lettuce back to the counter and dumped it in a large bowl.
He shrugged. “Some of them are okay I guess.”
Harper put the tater tots in the oven and set the timer. “So is Mrs. Agosta your grandma?” she asked the boys.
“Huh-uh,” Robbie shook his head. “We’re not even related.”
