“He is very committed to theme,” Uzzi says thoughtfully. “It’s admirable, really.”
“Wow, yeah,” I mumble, trying not to snort cocoa up my nose. “You two are definitely brothers.”
Eb is still glued to the screen, horrified.
“Oh, shit! Emery just bonked a cop on the head with a stocking!”
“A stocking?!” I blink at Uncle Uzzi.
“Yes—well, to be fair it was a Christmas stocking filled with several pounds of rock candy,” Uncle Uzzi admits, not looking remotely ashamed.
“I better call the family lawyer,” Eb grumbles, already pulling out his phone.
While he dials, I turn to the magical mischief-maker in our midst.
“Uncle Uzzi, were you behind any of this?” I ask, not even pretending to scold.
“I am only guilty of bringing mates together. Naked shenanigans in Vegas are not my purview.”
He winks.
“What? I was merely assisting fate. Just as I did with you two.”
I shake my head at him.
“You’re incorrigible.”
Eb finishes his call and mutters something about tracking spells and Vegas bail limits before catching my eye and grinning.
“You definitely had us pegged, Uncle Uzzi,” he says, sliding an arm around my waist. “Speaking of which, I plan to give Date to Mate a glowing review.”
Uzzi perks up like a sugar plum on espresso.
“Oh? So you’re ready to admit the app works?”
“Yep. Like a charm. Marigold is all mine,” Eb growls, tugging me close. “No enchanted mistletoe required.”
“Oh, I shall look forward to reading it, old boy,” Uzzi says, somehow now holding a second cookie.
Where are they coming from? And why isn’t he sharing?
“Oh,” he adds, very casually. “And I expect an invitation to the baby shower. And Christmas dinner. And maybe your anniversary party?”
“Of course!” I chirp before Eb can even open his mouth.
Eb stares at me.
“You’re really gonna keep encouraging him, aren’t you?”
“You hush. He gave me you, didn’t he?”
Uncle Uzzi beams like a matchmaking yenta who just won the lottery.
“Yes, well, Date to Mate isn’t just an app to me, my dears. Its users are all family. Matchmaking is in my blood, my magic. It’s what I live for.”
He says it with so much conviction, so much warmth and sparkle and sheer Uncle Uzziness, I almost tear up.
As the snow continues to fall outside, blanketing the world in soft white, and cocoa steams gently in our mugs, I curl into Eb’s side, surrounded by twinkle lights and love and magical mayhem, and let myself believe in this life.
