I wasn’t a mistake.
I was a surprise.
There is a difference.
“Noah, in the group chat titled ‘Four Bros and a Mistake dash Tessa’ says, not me.”
I roll my eyes as the other texts come through, all of them denying the action or blaming one another until Van, my oldest brother, chimes in.
“Van, in the group chat titled ‘Four Bros and a Mistake dash Tessa’ says, will someone acknowledge my texts?”
My car comes to a stop as I pull up to the wrought-iron gate. I roll my window down, and Gabriel, the newest guard, steps forward and shoots me his best smile. “Another family dinner where I get to greet the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.”
Oh, Gabriel.
My brothers would skin him alive if they knew the forty-year-old divorcee was lusting after me.
“You make me blush,” I tease.
Just as Gabriel rocks back on his heels to feed me another cheesy pick-up line, a text comes through my car’s speakers.
“Beck, in the group chat titled ‘Four Bros and a Mistake dash Tessa’ says–”
I quickly reach forward and grip the volume button tightly between my two fingers, turning it all the way down.
“Have a great night!” I call over my shoulder, driving away quickly as Gabriel tries to make sense of what he just heard.
I turn down my parents’ street, and to no surprise, Van is already here.
Always punctual, being the first born and all.
After parking my car, I angrily grab my phone and change the name of our group text.
The Queen and Her Peasants.
They all know I’m the favorite.
Well, besides Van, but that doesn’t count because, again, he’s the firstborn.
I skip up the porch steps and walk inside the home I spent my teens years growing up in. There’s a light ocean-y scent in the air, followed by lemon and garlic. My nose crinkles, and I pull my phone out of my pocket.
Me
It’s salmon again.
Noah
Goddamnit.
I press my lips together and round the archway. I spot Van on the couch, who clearly reads the latest text and follows it with an eyeroll.
“Vivi,” I sing-song. “Your bestie has arrived.”
“Aunt Tessa!” Vivian climbs down from a chair pressed against the counter beside my mother and springs into my arms. Her little arms wrap around my neck, and I squeeze tightly before placing her back on her bare feet.
“Start it,” I say to her.
She giggles. “Girls rule…”
