He laughed. That laugh still did things to me. We got out of the truck together and headed toward the backyard. The noise reached us before we even rounded the house.
There were loud voices and laughter. Pampi was barking like she'd personally been offended by something.
It was the familiar chaos of my family, and for the first time in a very long time, I wasn't dreading it. Seth was beside me after all, and this time we weren’t a fake couple.
That made all the difference.
"Look who finally showed up," Mark called.
Zack waved from a lawn chair. Chris had Pampi tucked under one arm while unsuccessfully trying to stop her from stealing food. Jaime was laughing at something Mason had said.
Near the grill, Carter and Devon were arguing about the best way to grill burgers.
The whole scene felt familiar and comforting. It was home, and this time I wasn't standing on the outside looking in, secretly envious of my brothers and their mates.
Seth bumped his shoulder lightly against mine.
"Your family somehow got louder,” Seth remarked.
"They've been practicing."
"I believe it."
We joined everyone. Almost immediately Seth was absorbed into the conversation. Mom appeared out of nowhere to greet us.
"Oh good, you're here."
Her attention immediately shifted to Seth.
"How's the café doing?"
"Busy," Seth said.
"You still making those blueberry danishes?" Mom asked hopefully.
I nearly laughed, because I wasn’t surprised she remembered anything Seth’s cafe put out.
Seth smiled. "We are."
"Good. Those are dangerous,” mom said.
"They're one of our best sellers."
"See?" Mom pointed at me. "I knew I wasn't the problem."
"You absolutely are the problem," I said.
She ignored me completely. Seth grinned. A little later Levi cornered him near the drinks table.
"So when's that peach pastry coming back?" Levi asked.
Seth blinked. "The seasonal one?"
"Yes,” Levi said with a nod.
"You remember that?" Seth couldn’t help but ask.
Levi looked offended. "Of course I remember it."
