Nick finishes setting the table while Anna sits on the stool next to me and takes a sip of my drink.
“Ryker and Madeline are coming too, right?” Anna asks.
“Yup. They should be here any minute,” Shannon says.
Like clockwork, one minute later, Anna and Nick’s older brother, Ryker, walks through the front door holding hands with his wife, Madeline.
I stand up and say hi to Ryker, in awe of his size. He’s as tall as Nick, but his build is more solid. He’s probably at least thirty pounds heavier than Nick. And he’s got the same bourbon-brown eyes and thick, dark brown hair.
I shake Madeline’s hand and smile. This is my first time meeting her, but Anna’s told me all about her. She’s a former Olympic figure skater who is now the skating coach for the Denver Bashers professional hockey team. She and Ryker just got married this summer.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” I say. “Congratulations on your wedding.”
She flashes a bright smile. She has long, fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes. She’s strikingly beautiful.
“Thank you,” Madeline says. “Anna’s told me so much about you. She calls you her brilliant best friend.”
I chuckle. “She’s being kind.”
Nick walks up to me and wraps his arm around my waist. He kisses my cheek. “My sister’s right. Poppy’s crazy smart.”
Ryker’s gaze turns curious as he looks at Nick and me. “Wait, are you two…together?”
Nick nods proudly. “Yup.”
Ryker just blinks. “Wow, really?”
Nick nods again, grinning. Ryker blinks again, like he can’t believe it.
“I can’t believe she’s with me either,” Nick says, totally unoffended.
Ryker nods. “Yeah, I mean, she’s really smart. And you’re not.” His tone is serious, but I can tell he’s joking. Ryker’s a serious guy, pretty much the opposite of Nick, who’s constantly joking around and smiling.
Everyone laughs. Madeline gently smacks his arm, like she’s scolding him.
“I’m just impressed my dumbass little brother got someone like Poppy,” Ryker says.
Nick rolls his eyes and laughs, like he’s not the least bit bothered.
Shannon frowns at Ryker. “Don’t say that about your brother.” She checks on the soup. “Dinner’s ready.”
Everyone sits down at the table. Ryker helps his mom serve up the soup while Anna, Madeline, and I visit.
When we all start eating, everyone raves about how good the soup is.
“So yummy,” I say, savoring the rich flavors. “This is my new favorite soup.”
“Nick knows the recipe,” his mom says. “Make him cook it for you sometime.”
She gives a knowing smile to her son. When we finish our bowls, we all go back for seconds.
All of us are good after two bowls, except for Ryker, Nick, and Madeline, who help themselves to another serving.
“This is amazing, Shannon,” Madeline murmurs. “I’ve been craving this soup nonstop. It’s the only thing that tastes good right now.”
“Fall soup cravings?” Shannon chuckles. “I’m having those too.”
Madeline wipes her mouth with a napkin, sitting back in her chair. “Yeah. But another type of craving, too.”
