“Pooh. Of course he helped. He had to—he was standing right there. And he was only trying to look good in front of Jo Lynn’s boyfriend, who got a full ride to A&M so he can study engineering.”
Charlie, Graham, and Graham’s older sister, Hannah, are laughing on the other side of the room, where they’re putting out the extra table and chairs. Graham is the same age as Olivia’s brother, Jake, and they’re both at LSU together. Honestly, I’m surprised Graham’s not in a boot, too, since if Jake’s doing something wild and crazy, Graham is usually right behind him.
Charlie’s sister, Sara, strolls in carrying a huge gift basket. Her long black hair is almost halfway down her back, her cheeks have lost that baby fat, and she’s a few inches taller than I remember. It’s shocking to me how much she’s changed since I last saw her.
“Nonna, this was sitting on the front porch,” Sara says, then sets it down on the counter.
“Oh, how lovely,” Nonna says as she reads the card. “It’s from the Dethloffs across the street.”
“When did Sara start looking so grown up? And gorgeous?” I ask Olivia.
“Serious growth spurt over the last couple of months. Charlie isnothappy, now that every boy in school has their eye on her,” she answers. “And she made freshman homecoming court back in October!”
“She did? How did I not know this?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” Olivia shrugs. “I guess you haven’t been around much lately.”
The kitchen door slams, and we all turn as Aunt Patrice, Uncle Ronnie, Denver, and Dallas come in wearing matching sweaters—and not the cute kind. I catch Denver’s eye and nod toward the sweater. He points to his mom, shaking his head. I can’t help but laugh. Those poor kids don’t stand a chance, especially since Aunt Patrice loves telling everyone they named their sons after the locations in which the boys were conceived.
Ew.
Aunt Lisa wraps an arm around me. “Well, I liked him. But I’m sad things ended the way they did—you deserve better than that.”
There’s no way I’m going to make it through dinner.
“Don’t worry about Sophie. I’ve got it all figured out,” Nonna says, and the room suddenly gets quiet.
“Oh no. This can’t be good,” I mumble under my breath.
“Mama, what are you scheming?” Aunt Lisa asks.
Nonna tries to look offended, but we all know she loves getting in the middle of everyone’s business. “Well, when life gives you lemons, you get right back on that saddle.”
“I’m not sure that’s how that saying goes,” Graham says.
“She just needs a date or two, you know, to get her mind off her troubles,” Nonna adds.
Aunt Maggie Mae looks way too interested in where this conversation is going. “The girls and I know some single boys her age.”
Uncle Sal’s head pops up. “After you set her up, I’ve got a nice boy in mind who works for me”
“Oh! Oh!” Aunt Patrice shrieks. “I have an idea! Let’s each of us pick someone for her! I have just the thing….”
And then everyone is talking at once.
“What is happening?” I ask no one in particular. Before I can stop this insanity, Nonna produces a long piece of white butcher paper.
“This will be so fun!” she says. Several aunts help clear the counter and Nonna lays the paper down. Then she grabs a Sharpie and starts writing dates, starting with tomorrow through New Year’s Eve.
“Sara, come help me with this,” Nonna asks.
Sara shoots across the room and helps Nonna tack it onto the bulletin board near the pantry door, and I give her a frown for being so quick to help. Sara gives me a wink back.
Movement at the back door catches my attention, and I see Wes peek his head in. Charlie motions for him to come inside.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen him, too. His blond hair and pale complexion stand out in this household of dark-haired, tan-skinned Sicilians. He looks taller than I remember, and he’s not nearly as scrawny as he used to be.
He sits down next to Graham and Charlie and points to the paper with a questioning look.
