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“Sounds to me like you’re jealous because you aren’t smart enough to⁠—”

“Can we please have one family dinner without all the arguing?” My mom snaps, cutting us off.

“Everything smells delicious,” Scout says, coming up beside Luka and wrapping her arms around his waist. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Actually, do you think you could go downstairs and grab a few bottles of wine?” my mom asks just before heading into the kitchen.

“I’ll come with you,” Luka says, taking her hand and leading her away.

“No funny business!” My dad calls after them.

Luka raises a hand, holding up three fingers. “We’ll be back in five, Scout’s Honor.”

“Five hundred dollars says you won’t,” my dad calls back.

“You’re on.”

“What’s all the hollering about?” Leo asks as he and Ivy make their way over, dropping into their usual seats.

I pull out a chair for Kira and take the seat beside her.

“Oh, you know, same old thing. Dad’s placing bets on whether Luka and Scout can finish banging it out in five minutes,” Guy says as he helps himself to a dinner roll.

I glance at Kira and see her failing to hold back the cutest grin.

Leo just nods, like he’s impressed either way. “Good for them.” Then he leans over and whispers something to Ivy, and she smacks him in the chest.

A moment later, my mom returns with the last platter. The delicious aroma has my mouth watering as she places the golden roasted chicken and fingerling potatoes in the center of the table.

“Dig in, everyone,” she says, taking her seat next to my dad.

He glances around the room, then checks his watch. An amused smile crosses his face just as Luka and Scout come barreling into the dining room, arms loaded with bottles.

“That was six minutes,” Dad announces. “I’ll take cash or Apple Pay.”

Luka and Scout take their seats without a word, neither bothering to hide their guilty smiles.

“Honey, we really need to get you a new hobby,” Mom says, tapping his cheek.

“I have plenty of hobbies. My favorite being supporting you with all of yours.” He takes her hand and kisses it, his eyes never leaving hers. It’s sort of disgusting, but I’d take having my parents head over heels for each other over the casual contempt that you usually see with couples their age.

I lean closer to Kira and whisper, “Sorry if you’re overwhelmed. This family can be a lot.”

She flashes me those perfect white teeth as her smile grows wider. “Don’t you dare apologize. I feel like I’m inside one of those holiday family dramas right now.” She looks around the dining room, filled with laughter and conversation, like she’s taking in and appreciating every single detail. “I can’t believe you really grew up like this. No wonder you turned out to be so perfect.”

“Perfect, huh?” I waggle my eyebrows and nudge her shoulder.

She rolls her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head. You know what I meant.”

I start to press her, but I’m interrupted by the sound of Leo clearing his throat.

Still smiling like a fool, I turn to face him.

“You two seem to be getting along well.” He gestures back and forth between us with his butter knife.

“Yeah, well…” I glance around the table, suddenly aware that all eyes are on us. “We had a rocky start, but we’ve gotten better at communicating. That’s helped.”

“I don’t think I ever heard how all of this actually happened,” Ivy says, leaning in.