Page 63 of Houston, We Have a Problem
“Sorry about that,” Chad says, pulling out a handkerchief—a handkerchief!—from his back pocket and handing it to me. “Duke only does that with people he’s excited to meet. He’ll be better behaved now that he’s, uh, tasted you.”
Houston pulls me closer, like he’s worried about someone else wanting to get a taste as well.
Grateful for the chance to de-slobber my face, I smile at Chad. “Don’t worry about it. He seems great.” I return his handkerchief and then leave my hand there for him to shake. He has a firm grip, and I’m pretty sure he’s testing the strength of my response as his eyes travel over me. I can recognize a fellow observer, which could make tonight interesting if I let anything slip that I shouldn’t.
“Darcy Paxton,” I tell him.
“Chad Briggs. You hungry?”
“Always.”
Satisfaction brightens his expression, and he gives Houston an approving look that says I’m off to a good start. Knowing the kinds of women Houston has dated in the past, I can imagine I’ll be accepted a little more warmly than the otherworldly models and actresses this family has encountered in the past.
As we follow Chad around the corner to a kitchen and dining room, a wave of smells and sounds hits me, and immediately my mouth starts to water. Jesse and I have been eating well, but there’s something to be said for a good homemade meal, something I haven’t had since my dad’s birthday last June. More than that, I take in the sight of Houston’s family all looking so happy and free as Halloween songs play over a speaker on top of one of the cabinets.
Jordan and Brooklyn are dancing in the kitchen, both of them laughing as they attempt some ballet moves that neither one is good at. Brooklyn is more graceful than Jordan, but he’s got the muscle to back up his pliés. They both keep looking at each other almost in awe, as if neither can understand how the other fell for them, and it’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.
Micah is directing Fischer on where to put all the food on the table, arranging everything so it looks like a professional spread. She keeps changing her mind, but Fischer doesn’t seem to mind. I watched them a bit at trivia night, but I was so focused on trying to beat Houston that there’s a lot more I can learn about those two. I don’t think they’ve been together long, which means every time Micah chooses a different spot for a platter of pigs-in-a-blanket, Fischer gives her a little smile that is equal parts “you’re ridiculous” and “I love you.” He seems fairly subdued and chill, a solid and steady match to Micah’s bubbly personality. They’ve dressed up as Zac Efron and Zendaya’s characters fromThe Greatest Showman, and they are both pulling off their respective circus costumes incredibly well.
Only Chad is on his own instead of in a pair, but he doesn’t seem to mind as he skirts around Brooklyn to pull a pizza out of the oven. How much older did Houston say he was? Something like eight years, and he’s giving off some serious dad vibes as he smiles at the way Jordan picks Brooklyn up and starts twirling her around. Maybe Duke is the only significant other he needs when he’s got his family around.
Suddenly, Micah bursts into a fit of giggles and points our way, the first person to notice us. “Oh my gosh, it’s perfect!”
I step aside to give her a better view of Houston’s tutu, but when Micah comes around the table, it’s me she’s focused on. She grabs my hand, holding my arm out so she can see the full effect of my baseball outfit.
“Houston, did you die when you saw her?”
Houston grunts something and slips away to help Chad in the kitchen.
I hold back a laugh at his discomfort, but only barely. “You should see the back,” I tell Micah and turn to show her.
Micah squeals. “You know what you’re doing, girl! What was his reaction?”
I don’t know how to put it into words, but I’m pretty sure my blush says it all.
Brooklyn comes to join us, pulling me in for a hug that surprises me. “Sorry,” she says. “I know we haven’t met yet, but Jordan has said enough about you that I feel like we have. I’m Brooklyn. This is Micah.”
Right. They haven’t met Darcy.
Clearing my throat, I smile wide. “I’m Darcy, Houston’s, uh…next door neighbor?” We never actually came up with a label for what we are.
Brooklyn and Micah both inch closer and glance into the kitchen in unison, where Houston is watching us with concern even though Chad is saying something to him. “I’ve never seen him like this,” Brooklyn whispers. “Are you sure you’re not more than his neighbor?”
“He’s giving off some serious possessive vibes,” Micah agrees.
“That’s a bad thing, Mic,” Fischer mutters from his seat at the table nearby. What, does he have superhuman hearing or something?
Micah waves him away. “It’s not a bad thing,” she says. “It just means that he’s worried we’re going to scare you away!”
“Which means he likes you,” Brooklyn adds.
“A lot. Do you like him?”
“It’s okay if you don’t. He can be a pain.”
“But it’s about time he settled down and stopped dating people who weren’t going to stick around anyway!”
“He’s really great and has a lot of love to give, he just has to find the right person who can be patient with him.”
