“But he didn’t?”
“No, he just did this thing where he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed really deeply, you know, like he was questioning every life choice that led him to working with me. It’s his fault anyway.Ileft a note about the cookies.Hedecided to ignore it. And then he made me sign an actual document promising ‘no more food items left unattended on the office premises.’”
“He made you sign a contract about cookies?”
“A legally binding document!” I confirm proudly. “He even had it notarized. I think he’s starting a special file just for ‘Meatball-related incidents that require official documentation.’”
She laughs.
“But he did promise to eat all the snacks I give him from now on,” I say triumphantly.
“He’s in love with you already.”
I throw a cushion at her face as she laughs harder.
My phone buzzes against my thigh, then buzzes again. And again. The group chat I have with my cousins erupts like a volcano of emoji and exclamation points.
Noah:
Guess who got Mom to make her chocolate mousse for dessert tomorrow?
Adam:
I bet she’s doing it for Lior. He’s her favorite.
Lex:
Hey, everyone knows Emery is her favorite.
I smile at Lex’s outrage that his fiancé would somehow not be my aunt’s favorite, but then Adam’s text comes through, and I laugh.
Adam:
No way. My River is and has always been Mom’s favorite, since we were five.
“We’re not done with this conversation,” Alli says, pulling my attention from the phone. “I’m grabbing a beer from your fridge.” She stands and heads to my kitchen.
Meatball:
Everyone knows that Aunt Carla’s favorites are everyone but the three of you.
Noah:
You might be right there. Anyway, you’re coming, right? We haven’t seen you since you got the new job.
Lex:
Obviously, he’s coming. He already said yes.
Adam:
About that… Dad just told me something.
Noah:
What?
Adam:
