Page 12 of Legal

“Hey, sis.” My brother entered the room, drinking a Spotted Cow.

“Where’d you get that?”

“I brought over a six-pack. Want one?”

My all-time favorite beer? Hell, yeah. I started to get up, but Perry pushed my butt back to the couch.

“Perfect timing, hon,” Perry said to Stephen. “If a guy’s trying to get it on with some girl he’s never seen naked before, but ends up disgusted once her clothes are off, does he keep chugging along with his eyes closed or does his dick shrivel up?”

“Why the hell are you asking me that?”

“Well, Jills just had her very first one-night stand and—”

Stephen held up his hand and walked out, shaking his head. “And Mom says she wants you in the kitchen,” he yelled back. “I shouldn’t be the only one helping in there.”

“Was that necessary?” I asked her, standing up.

“Yes, although he wasn’t much help. Look, I can’t attest to your bedroom skills, but I’m sure the sex was just as fantastic for him, so stop worrying about it.”

“I’m not worrying about anything! You’re the one talking about it. It’s barely even a blip in my mind anymore.” I headed out of the room, and Perry got up and followed me.

“Uh-huh.”

I stopped cold, and she smacked into me. “Perry, promise me you’ll drop this, okay? Because I can guarantee you that Chase already has. I’m sure I was just one of many, and I’m fine with that.” I turned around to face her. “So, please promise me you won’t find out his information because you think I secretly want it. Because I don’t. I don’t want to see him again. I don’t want to sleep with him again. I just want to pretend it never happened.”

“And continue working day in and day out—”

“Perry.”

She stuck her tongue out at me. “Okay, I promise. I won’t dig for any dirt.”

“Thank you.” Despite being perfectly happy with my life, I wasn’t opposed to a man in it. The operative word beingman. “Come on, before Stephen finishes off the beer.”

We headed toward the kitchen, the tangy scent filling my nose. Perry joined her secret future fiancé at the table, and I zeroed in on the stove. That wonderful smell was wafting up from a large metal pot. I lifted up the lid to take a peek, and my mother swatted my hand. “Don’t let Frank catch you doing that.”

I smiled, dropping it closed. “Bolognese?” My stomach rumbled. Frank was a marvel in the food department. We either had a family lunch or dinner every weekend, depending on our schedules, and my stepdad did most of the cooking.

I faced my mom and gave her a hug. “Yes. Homemade pasta too.”

“Can’t wait.” I broke away and opened the fridge, pulling out a bottle. “What can I do to help?”

“Just set the table, dear.” I popped off the top and took a long swig. “Have you heard from Daniel lately?” she asked.

I set the beer down and grabbed a stack of plates from the cupboard. “Just last week. He says hello. I miss him terribly, but he’s doing so well, Mom. Straight A’s.”

“Of course. He has my genes.”

“You know that’s impossible, right?”

She waved her hand. “Tomayto, tomahto.” I laughed; I should’ve known better. My mom loves that boy just as much as I do.

I counted out silverware as Frank crept up behind my mom and seized her around the waist, giving her a loud smooch on the cheek. “Ready to eat, my beauty?”

I carried the dishes to the table, not catching her reply. Their connection filled me with so much warmth. I loved them together. He was perfect for her, much more suited than my father ever was.

“Hey, don’t forget about the game Thursday,” Stephen said as I set down plates. He and Perry sat at the table, practically on top of each other. There was no shortage of affection surrounding me. “You are coming, right?”

“Of course she is,” Perry said.

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