Page 25 of Shameless
She glanced at me and stepped closer. I hugged her, but then the front door opened.
Her mother had her hair in a severe bun and was dressed in a style of pants suit I hadn’t seen in years. Her father wore a light-brown short-sleeved striped shirt and waved for us to come in.
Britney gave me a pained look, but we stepped inside.
Brown couches faced a huge television that was the centerpiece of the living room, playing a football game.
Britney held her head high and said, “Mom. Dad. This is Michael. Michael, this is Betty and Rob.”
I saw movement behind the kitchen wall.
Britney pointed and waved. “And I think that’s Ava back there.”
Her sister put down a dish towel and walked out with a huge smile. Her blond hair looked softer than Britney’s. She shook my hand first then told her sister, “Hi. It’s been a long time, Britney.”
As I studied the women, Britney was clearly the beauty though her sister resembled her mother.
Britney said, “It has. How are the kids?”
She squeezed my arm and said, “Excited to meet their aunt if you’re staying for tonight’s party.”
I glanced at everyone and asked, “Party?”
Ava said, “Mom and Dad’s wedding anniversary.”
Britney’s blush meant she hadn’t remembered.
I smiled and asked, “How long have you two been married?”
Her mother, Betty, took my hand and said, “Thirty-five years now. There are no divorces in our family.”
“Mine either,” I said, not mentioning that went back eight hundred years.
Her father stared at me, and her mother smiled.
Then her sister asked, “So tell us your story.”
Britney tilted her head and asked, “Our what?”
“How did you two meet?” Ava said and stared at both of us.
I leaned forward. “My best friend and her best friend are engaged. Britney thought I was the butler.”
Her mother snorted. “You thought a duke was a butler?”
I pressed my hand to my chest. “Future duke. I’m only a marquis for now.”
Britney rolled her eyes and stared at me. “Right, so I was wrong, and he found it charming.”
I met her gaze and saw a brightness there. I nodded. “Britney is one of the most caring women I’ve ever met.”
Her sister held her stomach. “Caring? That’s what you are now?”
Britney blushed. “Stop, Ava. Where is your husband?”
There she was—the sister Britney had mentioned—yet Britney was holding herself together like a queen. She was my idol.
Ava shrugged. “He’s bringing the kids over in a bit. I didn’t want to overwhelm them without checking you out first.”
