I hummed, pondering. “It was almost six months with Chad and then only a couple of months with the other Chadd.”
“Both of your ex partners are named Chad?” He asked, and at my nod, he burst into laughter, eliciting one of my own.
“To be fair, one of them was spelt with two d’s.” I defended meekly, biting back another laugh.
“Oh, lucky, I was starting to think it was weird,” he teased, before adding, “does your new boss know you have a thing for guys whose names start with C?”
My mouth fell open in realisation and I shook my head, refusing to confirm or deny, though suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.
“I think I’ll just listen to my podcast for a bit.” I replied awkwardly.
“Oh, nah, Evy,” he said, grinning, “I’m just joking. Connect it to the car so I can listen too. See who can pick the murderer first?” I was thrown back to all the times we’d play the same game as kids, a calming glow settling back in the air.
“You’re on. Pretty sure your success rate was, like, one out often.” I replied, already fiddling with the car system to connect my phone.
“Winner buys lunch tomorrow.”
I scoffed. “Deal. But just so you know, I’ll be ordering from somewhere bougie because you’ll be paying.”
He smirked, sinking back into the seat as we cruised down the highway towards Mum’s house, the familiar drawl of the hosts voices filling the car.
“Mum, can you please stop staring at me like that?” My brother sighed, a little more sternly now that it was his fifth time asking.
“I’m will not,” she said with a little annoyance, “I’m happy.”
“You look deranged,” I added around a mouthful of bread.
“Evangeline, don’t speak with your mouth full.” Mum reprimanded and Marlee laughed.
“Don’t you listen to them, love, you look bloody beautiful.” Toby stared at Mum adoringly like the sun rose and set with her.
Suck up.
“Maybe if you came home and saw your mother more she wouldn’t need to stare at you,” Cooper threw in from across the table obviously enjoying the discomfort Seb was feeling.
“It’s you she’s happy to see, dick bag.”
“Language, Sebastian. It’s just been so long since my three babies were here together and now Marlee is part of the family too,” her voice croaked as she bit back tears.
“Oh, God, Mum, I’m trying to enjoy my dinner.” I said, feeling awkward at how overtly emotional she’d been since we first arrived.
“We know,” Marlee mumbled. “We see it every time you speak, Eva.”
“Leave my fiancée alone,” Cooper chimed, throwing me a wink. “Statistically, nine out of ten bites taste better with enthusiastic chewing. Right, Evy?”
“Yeah. I must’ve missed that class,” Toby said, and the table fell silent before simultaneously, we all broke into hysterics.
“Sorry, guys, I’ll try to be more considerate.” I grinned, mentally encouraging myself to remember what should be basic manners. “I’m just tired.”
“She’s always been a sharer, haven’t you sweetheart?” Mum added fondly, shaking her head with a smile which I reciprocated. “How are you finding working full time - if you can speak freely with Cooper sitting across the table?”
My gaze darted to meet his. He looked so relaxed, and it was hard not to remember all the times we sat around this very table, with a few less people, but part of the same easy conversation. He waited patiently, his eyes telling me he was keen to hear what I had to say.
“Tiring,” I admitted. “But more mentally draining. And the boss can be a drag sometimes,” I added with a straight face.
“Yeah, I’ve heard that about him,” Seb interjected. “Do you get bathroom breaks or do you just pee in fear?”
“They get breaks. Every second they’re not asking me questions is a break.” Coop’s grin was effortless and I couldn’t help but laugh.
