“Like Mercedes,” Evan said.“She has people at Deaf Night Out thinking she’s Deaf.How long did you two live together before Mercedes was fluent?”
Mercedes and Carli looked at each other and shrugged.“Probably a few years,” Mercedes said.
Carli shook her head.“No, it was less than that.You’d been practicing since we were kids.”
“I don’t know that I’d call it fluent.You definitely taught me more once we started rooming together.”
The fact Mercedes could speak his language was one of the things he loved about her.Add in her intelligence, that she didn’t lord over anyone, and her grace and beauty, how could any warm-blooded male resist?He certainly couldn’t.
Something about his thoughts nagged at him, but the rest of the family began listing all the presents the happy couple received yesterday and discussion began on the practicality of some of them.
“I’m not sure how often I’ll be using a fondue pot or a waffle cone maker.Although that last one goes with the ice cream maker.Guess we’ll have to start having fondue and ice cream parties.”Carli’s cheeks colored, and Blake grimaced.
“Sorry.Those came from some of my mother’s friends.They all have similar ridiculous appliances.Not that they use any of them, but I’m sure their kitchen staff do.”
Carli rolled her eyes.“Maybe they should have gotten us kitchen staff instead.”
Blake’s eyes turned anxious.“Do you want me to hire—”
Carli grabbed Blake’s hand before he could finish his sentence.“No, I don’t need people in my kitchen.It’s the thought that counts.”
Blake leaned in to kiss Carli and Evan felt—what was this?Envy?At what?Could he be envious of the relationship his sister had?What had happened to his carefree life of being single?Now all he wanted was to hang out every night with his roommate.
When the food was gone and they’d wolfed down many of the desserts that Blake’s mother had provided, Dad signaled to the men.“We’ll clean up the table.The rest of you go relax in the living room.”
Mercedes asked Evan, “Is this where you get it from?”
“Are you implying Evan cleans up after meals?”his mom asked.
Mercedes nodded and patted his hand.“He does it almost every night.Sends me to the living room, and he does the dishes and wipes down the table.”
Evan raised his eyes to the ceiling.“Only because you always cook.It’s only fair.”
His mom smiled widely his way.“I like hearing you’ve got good manners.Guess I raised you right.”
“You did,” Mercedes confirmed.“I have no complaints.”
“So far,” Carli added, a smug grin on her face.Evan sent a glare at his sister, but she only kept smiling impishly.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this, Blake?”Evan asked.“She’s a little sarcastic at times.”
The way Blake stared at his sister didn’t give anyone the impression he was unhappy.“I like her that way.Makes life a little more fun.”
Evan had to admit it was one of the reasons he and Mercedes enjoyed each other’s company.The teasing and fun.
His dad, Brian, Blake, and Evan all carried the dishes to the kitchen and each took jobs: putting the leftover food in plasticware, scraping the food from the dishes and getting rid of any trash, rinsing the dishes, placing them in the dishwasher.
When the kitchen was cleaned, the guys moved to the living room, but Evan grabbed some paper towels and cleaner and made sure they’d gotten everything off the counters and table.Mercedes was a stickler about keeping those clean due to possible ants.
A soft thud behind him when he was throwing away the last paper towel had him twisting around.Carli stood there, an inscrutable expression on her face.
What’s up?
I wanted to ask you something.Her expression didn’t give him any indication what she wanted to talk about.
You’re not voicing, so I assume it’s something you don’t want Blake, Mercedes, or Brian to hear.
Carli peeked behind her, then back.I guess.I’m curious about something I witnessed at the bridal shower yesterday.
