“Yes, Reid has been an absolute gentleman,” she says with a smile that I’m not entirely sure is genuine.
“Would have been nice if he could have come,” he grumbles. “I’d like to meet thisgentlemansomeday.” He narrows his gaze at her. “Especially if he intends on being a part of this family.”
Mandy groans, rolling her eyes. “Dad…”
“I mean, I’d like to ask him myself what his intentions are.”
Mandy buries her head in her hands. “Please, don’t get me started.”
“So, you can ask about my relationship, but we can’t ask about yours?” I cut in.
She removes her hands and shoots me a knowing smirk.
“Wow, so youcanact like a brother. Nice attitude, Hudson.” She winks, and I finally get up and go into the kitchen to see what is taking Trey so long.
He’s leaning against the counter, eating yet another piece of pumpkin pie, while my mother scoops the leftover potatoes into a Tupperware container.
“Really?” I ask.
“What? It’s good.”
“You need to control your friend.”
“She’syoursister.”
“Stepsister,” I argue.
“Yeah, whatever. What’s she doing?” he asks with a grin, looking over my shoulder.
“Being nosy.”
Trey chuckles as he licks his lips.
“That’s what sisters do, Hudsy,” my mother says. “And it’s about time you realize it.”
I look at Trey. He shrugs. “I don’t have any siblings, so I don’t know what to tell you.”
My mother brings the stack of containers to the fridge, and I pull the door open for her.
“Will you stay a while?” she asks me, trying to sound casual but I hear the sadness in her voice. I glance at Trey again, and then back at my mother.
“Only a little while.”
Her eyes brighten, and she reaches out to touch my arm. “I’m so glad to have you here, Hudson. You should come by more often.”
“I’ll try.”
She goes into the living room with everyone else, and I walk over to Trey. He offers me a bite of his pie, which I take.
“See, it’s good.”
“I never said it wasn’t,” I add.
He finishes the last bite, and I take the plate to wash and put in the strainer.
“Are you sure you’re okay staying a while?” he asks.
I glance over my shoulder, through the door and to the living room. I see them all talking animatedly and laughing.
