“Evan!” his mother yelled.
“I mean, her fiancé, is back in the city helping a friend.” Evan chuckled. “He’s actually a terrific guy. He wanted to be here but couldn’t, so Mom asked me to help.”
“We didn’t want to be any trouble,” Erin said, feeling like an unwelcome guest.
“Oh, you’re not. He is.” Evan nodded to Smith, who stormed in like a heard of elephants on over the hardwood floor. Evan chuckled at the look Smith shot him. “I’m kidding. I’d planned to do brunch with Mom since I don’t see her as much with her living out here now. When she told me you guys were coming, I was even more excited to come.”
“I’ll bet.” Smith showed a lot of teeth, but Evan just grinned.
He had a charming way about him, and before Erin knew it, she’d told him all about Tilly and her mishap the day before.
“That’s terrible.” Evan frowned. “Is she okay? Smith, if you need time off to help her, you know you only have to ask.”
“I only get so many sick days,” he said, sounding gruff.
Erin could feel a sticky sense of tension. “Evan, where’s your mom?”
“Here!” Aunt Jane called from the kitchen.
They walked through a grand, open living area, past a study, and continued to the kitchen and the back living area.Geesh, I could fit my entire apartment in here three times at least…on this level.Then she saw the hallway leading to an area farther back and amended her estimate to five times.
Jane Griffith stood behind the sink, her cheeks flushed, her white hair pulled back in a clip. She looked like a wealthy older socialite in a gray sweater, pearls, and jeans. “Sorry, the maid’s day off.”
Erin smiled.
Evan chuckled. “She’s kidding. There’s no maid, just a hell of a lot of house.”
“Well, Jerome does have a cleaning lady who comes twice a month.”
“Damn, Aunt Jane. You’re moving up in the world.” Smith sounded different. More deferential, softer, somehow.
Erin met Evan’s gaze and saw him nod. When Smith went to offer Jane a hug, Evan whispered, “He’s mean on the outside, a softie on the inside. And he likes my mom.”
“Quit flirting with my girlfriend,” Smith ordered. “And speaking of which, where’s Kenzie and Daniel?”
Evan smiled. “My fiancé and her brother are busy. Kenzie’s doing some girl’s weekend with Lila and Rachel—”
“Evil incarnate,” Smith interrupted, which had Jane laughing.
“And Daniel’s on a sleepover at his buddy Rafe’s. Interesting fact: Rafe is Jordan’s younger brother. It’s like six degrees of separation in Seattle with Vets on the Go!”
“What?” Erin missed the joke.
Smith stepped away from Jane to rejoined Erin. “Evan means everyone knows everyone. Jordan is Cash’s girlfriend. And her younger brother happens to be good friends with Evan’s younger brother by marriage. Or soon to be marriage, if he doesn’t screw it up first.”
Jane nodded. “Exactly what I keep telling him—not to screw it up.” She walked up to Erin and gave her a big hug. For being in her early seventies, the woman had a fierce grip. She looked lovely, happiness agreeing with her. “Erin, I’m so pleased to meet you. I’ve been bugging Smith to come by before now, but for some reason I seem to scare him.”
They both looked over at Smith, to see him flushing. “I am not scared of you, Aunt Jane.”
“Ha. Liar.” Evan laughed at him, then struggled when Smith gave him a noogie.
“Not so sophisticated now, eh,CousinEvan?”
“Ass.”
“Evan, language.”
“Sorry, Mom.” When Jane turned away, Evan got free and put a finger across his throat and pointed at Smith, who gave a silent laugh.
