Page 26 of Crash

“Happy Thanksgiving,” she says, her voice filled with fake cheer. She’s still holding the box, but I merely step aside to let her in. She walks in and looks around the entryway.

“Welcome to my mansion,” I say. A flash of anger darkens her eyes, making them almost black, but she reins it in. “I hear I’m going to be your boss. Do you still want to topple the patriarchy now that it got you a job?”

“Are you done?” she hisses. Maybe having her work for me will have its perks. “Do you feel powerful, little man?”

I’m about to tell her I know for a fact she knows I’m not little, but the sounds of running stop me.

“Yiyi!” Travis yells, clearly remembering her from the bakery. “Yunkie Yuke!” He comes over and I swing him into my arms.

“What’s in the box?” Tristan asks, looking at Vivi.

“Hey, Vivi!” Sandy says, walking into the foyer. “I didn’t know you were coming over.” She takes her cousin into a hug.

“I’m just delivering cookies Auntie made for the kids. I’m going back to her place now to help prepare for dinner.”

“No way. We prepped everything last night.” I know Vivienne wants to protest, but Sandy grabs her hand and pulls her into the kitchen. Once my mother sees her, she’ll be lucky to get out of here in two hours.

CHAPTER 10

VIVI

The last thing I wanted to do was come here. I tried to talk my aunt out of it by telling her Sandy’s in charge of desserts. I tried to bribe Steve to make the delivery for me, but he wasn’t interested. I prayed their housekeeper would answer the door, and all I’d have to do was hand her the box and flee, but instead I got the worst-case scenario.

He opened the door wearing a blue New England Patriots fitted long-sleeved tee. Why couldn’t he wear a jersey instead? And it should be illegal for him to wear blue. The fact that his shirt was covered by an apron with two turkeys saying gobble, gobble didn’t detract from how good he looked, but then he opened his sexy as sin mouth and spewed out nothing but ugliness.

“Sandy,” I tell her as she unbuttons my coat. I try to hold the lapels together, but Sandy’s always been strong. She pulls them away and I’m coatless. “This is a family thing. I won’t intrude.” I try to grab my coat from her hand, but she’s quick. Within seconds, she’s hung it in the coat closet.

“You’re family.”

She puts her arm around me and steers me to the massive kitchen. Mrs. Clark is leaning over Tracy, speaking close to her ear. When she sees me, her eyes light up and she walks over and hugs me. I tell her I’m on my way out, but she shakes her head and tells Sandy to hand me a drink. Before I know it, I’m sitting in the kitchen, drinking margaritas with Mrs. Clark.

“You’re just adorable. I’m going to ask JD if there are any new residents at the hospital he can fix you up with.”

“JD is here?” I ask.

“He sure is.” I close my eyes at the sound of Luke’s voice. “With his wife and daughter. Are you going to embarrass yourself again? It should be fun to watch.”

I close my eyes and slowly exhale. He never forgets anything. Two years ago, Iwasinterested in JD. He made it clear he wasn’t, and I let it go. He’s since gotten married and had a child. No one else but that asshole even remembers.

“I’m seeing someone, Mrs. Clark,” I lie. Sandy looks at me and gives me a knowing look. I turn back to Luke, hating the smirk on his face. “Obviously, I’m too much woman for JD. I wanted a fling, not marriage and children.” I visibly shudder at the thought.

He snorts as his eyes narrow at me. “That’s a nice thing to say to your married cousin and my mother, and you’re not too much of anything for anybody, Thumbelina.” He whispers the last part.

“No offense taken. I didn’t want to get married at that age either. Even when I met your father, I wasn’t interested in him, but he was persistent. You know what I mean, Sandy.” Mom winks at Sandy.

“Like, I said, I’m seeing someone, but it’s not serious.” I narrow my eyes on Luke and discreetly give him the middle finger.

“Oh, Blake?” he asks. “He still needs a beard?”

I ignore him and sip my drink.

“Sandy, Tracy, help me set the table. Lukey, honey, bring the food out and put it on the table and set the kid’s table. Vivi, you sit down and relax. If you need anything, my baby will get it for you.” She walks over and kisses Luke on the cheek, and he rubs the back of his head. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was embarrassed by the display.

If he’s embarrassed, then he’s a bigger fool than I thought. He doesn’t know how good he has it to have a mother who adores him like that.

“I need some water, Lukey,” I taunt him. His cheeks turn red, and I can’t help but take pleasure in his discomfort.

“I’m sure there’s water at your aunt’s house. Go drink some there.” He turns his back to me as he lifts a pot off the stove and puts the contents in a serving dish. The muscles in his shoulders flex as he works, and his ass looks incredible in his jeans.

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