“He’s a Taurus, that’s why.”
Tamara’s rummaging in my fridge, and Jake is making Meadow a chocolate milk with way too much syrup. Charlie is feeding Theo off her plate like a baby bird, and Eli is still trying to make Logan sit at the opposite end of the table to Lulu. Gremlin is back inside, perched high on the windowsill, her yellow eyes judging everyone.
I clear my throat, trying to draw their attention, but no one hears me.
I try again, louder. “Hey.”
Still no dice. It’s chaos. Absolute fucking chaos. And if I want them to listen to me, I’ll need to do something ridiculous to get their attention.
So I walk into the middle of the dining room with a wooden spoon and a saucepan.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
Everyone freezes, even Gremlin stops licking her paw.
Logan squints at me. “Are you… asserting dominance?”
“I knew this day would come,” Zoe chuckles. “He’s finally snapped.”
Charlie clutches Theo dramatically. “Reid, if this is an intervention, I already recycle.”
Chase lifts his phone. “Do we need to film this?”
“I don’t like surprises,” Eli mutters, folding his arms.
Gremlin’s tail flicks once with sharp disapproval, like she also didn’t sign up for whatever this is.
“I’ve invited someone here,” I say. “Today.”
There’s a dead silence as every set of eyes homes in on me.
Jake raises a brow. “You mean, like… anotherperson?”
“I didn’t think that was allowed,” Lulu whispers.
“You’re just now telling us this?” Zoe grins. “Did you lose a bet or something?”
“If it’s Viktor,” Logan adds, “it doesn’t count.”
“No.” I clear my throat. “She’s… uhhh—”
Charlie gasps so hard it sounds like she’s been stabbed.
“She?” Chase repeats, his mouth morphing into a grin. “As in… awoman?”
“There’s ashecoming?” Zoe asks.
“Tothisbrunch?” Lulu practically squeals.
“Thatyouinvited?” Charlie’s eyes are saucer-wide.
Tamara’s eyes narrow, unsure whether this is a joke. “Who is this she?”
“She’s…” I struggle for a label that suits, already regretting everything. “A friend.”
She’s my entire world.
Jake leans back, arms crossed. “Define friend.”
