“Are they talking about us or them?” Greystone asked him for the hundredth time.
“Them.” Frustration spiked his blood pressure. “There’snoscenario where they’d be blessing us.”
Greystone pulled a hair tie from his pocket, pulled his hair into a man-bun. “I’m sorry, brother. You’ve said that, like, adozen times. I’m so fucking angry we can’t find them. Anywhere.”
“The DMV is a big place.” Teddy gave his brother’s shoulder an encouraging squeeze. “We found ‘em once. We’ll do it again.”
While he had absolutely no idea how, he had to speak positivity into the universe. No point pulling everyone else into his private hell.
The front door opened and Sean Baker stepped outside. His friendly smile reminded Teddy that they were having dinner with Greystone’s parents.
Game face.
He pasted on a smile, shoved the trio box of wines under his arm, and extended his hand. “Theodore Santini. It’s good to meet you, Mr. Baker.”
“Call me Sean, Tank,” he said as they shook hands. After hugging Greystone, Sean gestured toward the front door.
Up the two steps, onto the front porch, and into the home. A wave of sumptuous aromas filled his nostrils. A baking chicken and something sweet.
Maybe cake.
Like Pavlov’s dog, his stomach started growling.
As Sean led them through the well-furnished home, he spotted Evelyn in the kitchen.
“Boys, whatcha drinking?” Sean asked. “We’ve got everything from milk to whiskey.”
“I’ll get myself a water,” Greystone replied.
“A shot of whiskey,” Teddy said.
Sean grinned. “That’s what I like to hear.”
Teddy set down the wine box, as Evelyn bustled over. One big hug for his brother, and a second for him. “Thank you for having me, Evelyn.” Teddy offered her the flowers.
“So sweet. Thank you.”
“And these are for you guys as well,” Teddy said. “A trio ofSantini wines. Two chiantis and the collection’s newest, a chardonnay.”
Sean returned with two whiskeys, which he set down. “This wine is real nice,” he said, examining one of the bottles. “Thank you.”
Teddy lifted a shot glass, waited for Sean to pick up the other. “Alla famiglia e alla tua salute. To family and to your health.”
The men tapped their glasses, tossed back the top-shelf liquor. Teddy paused, appreciating the burn as the liquid seared its way to his stomach. “I’m not a big drinker, but dang, I needed that.”
Greystone opened the fridge, pulled out a large bottle of sparkling water and four glasses. As he poured, Evelyn arranged the flowers in a vase.
“I’m excited to get to know you guys,” Teddy said. “How’d you meet Greystone?”
While Teddy wasobsessedover the case, he tossed his brother a nod. Time to take a brief respite, enjoy a home-cooked meal, and learn more about the DC power couple who helped turn Greystone into the powerhouse of a man he was today.
Evelyn pulled out a cutting board and set it next to a handful of just-washed vegetables. “I was planning on steaming these.”
Feeling too antsy to sit, Teddy washed his hands, asked for a knife, and joined her while they talked about sixteen-year-old Greystone who’d just run away from home. Hearing the story toldtohim—versus when he experienced it firsthand as a teen—offered him a very different perspective.
After the vegetables had been in the steamer for a few minutes, Sean pulled the roaster from the oven. Surrounding the chicken were an array of seasoned potatoes and steaming yellow onions. While the meat rested, Sean opened the Santinichardonnay. Teddy and Greystone declined, so Sean poured himself and Evelyn a glass.
Minutes later, the chicken had been sliced, their plates were filled with hot food, and the four were seated around the kitchen table. After Sean said grace, everyone dug in.
