Suddenly, I was famished.
Chapter 25
Still Dylan
Dinner at Aunt Wendy’s was always chaotic, and the holidays only took it up a notch. In addition to the hectic insanity in her kitchen, everyone was also required to bring a dish. Aunt Wendy said it made the holidays more fun. I suspect it had more to do with everyone needing to pull their weight, but whatever. This year I got pie duty.
So I was standing next to my parked truck on the street, eyeballing the six huge dessert boxes in my backseat, and wondering if I should try to make the trip in only one go, when a car I’d only seen a handful of times pulled up behind me.
Indy.
My breath caught in my throat as I watched her stow her keys in a backpack then pull it onto her shoulders as she exited her new, shiny car. Her legs looked endlessly long in her painted-on jeans that did delicious things to her curvy little ass. The light jacket she wore didn’t camouflage her flowy black top or her high, perky tits. I hadn’t had near enough time to worship them the one and only time we’d slept together.
She tossed me a quick look then surveyed the street before darting a glance at Aunt Wendy’s house. Clearly, she was eyeballing her escape. The pang I felt in my chest was deserved. I’d hurt her. I half expected her not to show up today because of my attendance.
Then she did something that made me swallow my gum whole. Instead of avoiding me and heading toward the house like I’d expected, she walked down the sidewalk straight at me.
I jumped onto the curb to give her room, but she stopped next to me and gave me a timid smile. “Need a hand?”
“Uh, I, um, sure.” I shook my head and laughed. “I was just trying to remember how I got all of them in my truck. I think it took me three trips since I didn’t want to risk the wrath of Sabrina if I dropped one.” I loaded two pie boxes into her hands and took the remaining four for myself. “My cousin takes her desserts seriously.”
“Me too.” She gave a huffing laugh as she waited for me to load up and close my truck door. “These smell amazing. Where did you get them from?”
“That bakery on J Street.”
“Oh! I love their caramel apple spice cake.”
“Good.” I grinned. “There’s one in there. Along with the requisite pumpkin, carrot, Boston cream, chocolate mousse, and coconut pecan.”
“Oh wow. I’m drooling already!”
Our shoulders bumped companionably as we approached the door. “I love getting cake and pie duty. Even if I almost had to throw down yesterday at the bakery and then avoid even looking at these for almost a day. They smell fucking awesome.”
“Duty? Is everyone bringing something?” Her face washed out of all color. “I knew I should’ve brought something.”
“If Aunt Wendy didn’t assign you something, it means you’re a guest. Although this will probably be the only year. Next year you’ll be family so you’ll get an assignment like the rest of us. You can only skate by on your good looks for so long.”
Indy tossed me a shy smile as she jostled the boxes to open the front door.
I stepped closer to her, if only to smell that delicious scent of hers that twined with the desserts. “Because you are gorgeous.”
Her eyes widened, and I mentally cursed myself for being a tool. I wasn’t supposed to be saying shit like that to her.
“Indy!” Aunt Wendy cried as we entered the house. “You are officially my favorite child. Here, let me help you with that.” She swooped down and took the two boxes out of Indy’s hands.
Indy tossed me a helpless look. “I didn’t do anything.”
“You brought your lovely self, no drama, and you helped this one carry in his obligation.” Aunt Wendy jostled the boxes in her arms to free up a hand then booped Indy on her nose. “Therefore, you’re my favorite today.”
I snorted. “Are you seriously pitting us all against each other?”
Aunt Wendy used her free hand to whack me on the shoulder.
“Yes, because it’s the only thing that makes you lot actually behave. No drama today. Are we clear, boyo?”
“Crystal, ma’am.” I sent Indy a telling look and mouthed,like family. Then I took my load into the kitchen.
“Aww, you went to J Bakery?” Sabrina cuddled up to my side before I could even put the boxes down. “You’re my favorite. I love you so much, Dyl.”
