“Sounds about right.”
“Welcome to family dinner. Once you’re in, you’re in forlife. Which means you can’t leave, Sunny,” Sam chimes over her shoulder while cooking. The apartment fills with the smell of spices and tomatoes, indicating pasta may be on the menu for dinner tonight.
Chuckling, I take a sip of my wine to bypass the comment.
“Welcome to the family, Sunny. You’re going to love it and hate it,” Macey says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
“It’s an honor.” I raise my glass. Remorse hits me as soon as I say the words because Iamleaving in a few months.
“Here, here!” Sam clanks her glass with mine and Macey’s.
“So, is Tyler bringing his girlfriend?” I ask, trying to make conversation.
Both Sam and Macey start hysterically laughing.Noted. That is an absolute no.
“No.” Macey shakes her head, her mousy brown hair shaking with it.
“That bitch can rot in hell,” Sam says.
“Although, maybe an arranged marriage is what I need.” Macey downs her glass.
“Oh, hush little birdy, you’ll find your match!” Sam joins the conversation.
A knock sounds on the front door, followed by incessant jiggling of the knob.
“Hey! Why is it locked?!” I hear a man's voice yell through the door.
“To keep nasty boys like you out!” Sam says, still neglecting to open the door.
“We won’t bite!” Another man's voice says, this one lighter, airy.
“Speak for yourself.”Tyler.His voice is like velvet night. Soft, smooth, like I can trace my finger along it. So easy to pinpoint among others.
“Each one of you is supposed to have a key! If you lose it,then you’re responsible for changing my locks!” Sam yells, stomping towards the door.
As soon as she opens it, three tall men topple inside, all on top of the other as if they were leaning against the door.
“Nice to see you again, Sunny,” Tyler purrs, straightening himself. His green eyes watch me as he comes in and rounds the island, making his way through the kitchen.
“Oh, she’s a blonde! We needed a blonde, thank god,” One of the two men chimes. His eyes match the brilliant smile that pulls his full lips. He is leaner than Tyler and the other man, but by no means any less strong. The warm light of Sam’s apartment dances across his brown skin, complimenting his eyes in all the best ways.
“Anthony seriously?” The other man says, bringing my attention to him. He runs a hand through his dark hair, lifting it off his shoulders for a brief moment. He looks like the kind of guy my mother would tell me to stay away from in hopes I won’t hop on his motorcycle.
“Hi, I’m Cole. Don’t mind my brothers, they can be a bit much sometimes.” His hazel eyes gleam with mirth.
“We all have our moments. I’m Sunny.” I shake his hand back.
“I know.” He grins.
I’m not sure what that means, but I also don’t want to find out.
Everyone settles into their roles so easily. Moving around with a fluidity I never had after I moved out of my parents home.
“So, you guys do this every week?” I ask.
Tyler makes his rounds to Sam and Macey, greeting the two with kisses on the cheeks and hugs.
“Sunny.” He greets me again, no doubt out of obligation, but refrains from the physical contact he gave his sisters. He has a boyish smile. One I hadn’t seen on him before.
