He smiles warmly at me, then grabs a handful of popcorn and tosses a piece into his mouth.
“Have a seat,” McKenna says. “We’re in a deep debate over what movie we’re going to watch tonight.”
“I sayThe Proposal,” Carli’s mom says, lifting her brows and widening her eyes in my direction.
“And I’m pushing forAlways Be My Maybe,” McKenna says. “They already watched Westley’s latest without me.” She plucks a piece of popcorn out of the nearest bowl and lobs it at Ethan.
He sends her a mock glare and plucks the popcorn off the seat of the couch where it landed and eats it.
“The guys all want to pick up where we left off inYellowstone,” Garrett says. “Be our tiebreaker, Carli.”
“Me?” I ask, stepping into the living room and taking the only open seat on the couch between McKenna and Cody.
He smells good—like he just showered but sat by the fireplace to dry off.
His voice is low and almost private when he says, “You don’t have to let them pressure you, Chuck.”
“I haven’t watchedYellowstonein a while,” I say.
“Traitor!” McKenna screams, her laughter filling the room.
“How about an episode ofYellowstonefollowed by one of the other movies?” I suggest.
“Ever the diplomat,” Luke says with some evident pride in his tone.
“I don’t think my brother would agree with you there,” I say.
Cody chuckles softly next to me.
Ethan leans forward and grabs the remote off the coffee table.
“Something to drink, Carli?” Mrs. Lawson offers.
“No. I’m good … But …”
“What?” McKenna turns toward me.
Ethan presses mute. All eyes are on me.
“I uh … I got the job.”
The room erupts in cheers. Luke’s, “Woo hoo!” overshadows them all. He pumps his fist in the air and smiles proudly over at me.
“Yeah! That’s our girl!” Garrett says from the recliner across the living room.
“Good going, Carli,” Ethan says.
McKenna leans over and gives me a side hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
Her mom and dad smile at me like I’m their daughter and I just came home with straight As.
Everyone peppers me with questions.
“When do you start?”
“What’s the pay?”
“Do you get your own office?”
