I let her lead me downstairs to the kitchen, since she’s right about us needing to eat. It’s dinner time.
Her cheeks flush as she laughs. “I know, but when I saw the pineapple on the topping section, I couldn’t help myself. It was calling my name.”
“The way a well-made purse calls your name? Is pepperoni a new Italian designer?”
She stiffens in shock, her eyes wide. “Oh my God… Was that a joke?”
Perhaps I’m becoming better at this. At least she realized I was making an attempt…although she still didn’t laugh. Must come up with a line that’s going to make her at least giggle.
I nod. I don’t like the sensation I’m feeling—as though I’m back in high school and scored a B on a test I needed an A on.
“Wow!” She grins. “Well…it was a designer pizza…”
My emotions shift, an unseen earthquake that only I can sense shaking me up. She joking with me. We’re…bantering. Since I can’t label exactly what I’m experiencing and can’t think of how to respond, I merely smile at her and start toward the dining table.
The intercom rings.
“Did you order something?” Jo asks.
“No. Did you?”
“Nope.” She goes to the intercom and squints at the screen. “I think it’s Ivy and your brother. And a couple of other people…”
“What?” I join her to see, and sure enough, Tony, Ivy, Court and Pascal are all staring into the fish-eye camera. I added them to the approved guest list, along with Jo’s family, but didn’t realize they’d visit so soon.
I hit the speaker button. “What are you doing here?”
“We aren’t lost, in case you’re wondering,” Court says. “Thought you could use some dinner.”
“We brought Thai,” Ivy says.
“From your favorite place in the city,” Tony adds. “It smells really good.” Then he sniffs the air exaggeratedly.
“I already have dinner,” I say dryly.
“Oh, come on. We just want to see Jo!” Court says. “If I wait for you to get around to it, I won’t see her until the wedding.”
Sighing at my family’s caring but slightly embarrassing theatrics, I look at Jo. “Sorry about this.” And she was worried about her family invading our home.
She smiles. “I don’t mind. I want to meet your other brother. And I do love Thai.”
I hit the button and let them in. I knew Court and Pascal would want to meet Jo sooner or later. Today’s just as good a time as any. Hopefully, nobody does or says anything too cringe-worthy. I trust Ivy and Pascal, but Tony and Court?
They’re brothers.
A few moments later, they pile into our home. Tony and Court look particularly proud of themselves, while Ivy and Pascal are studying the penthouse with avid curiosity.
“You should’ve called,” I say.
“You would’ve ignored us.” After placing two huge paper bags on the table, Court goes to Jo and extends his hand. “I’m Court, easily the best looking and the most talented of the Blackwood brothers.”
Jo laughs, taking his hand and pumping it firmly. “Is that the consensus?”
“In his dreams,” Tony says.
“Hi, Anthony,” Jo says.
“Call me Tony,” he says. “We’re family now. Well, almost.” He smiles.