Page 126 of Catch Me
That makes sense now. He looks a lot like Travis but not quite identical. Then Annalise’s words while we were in Vegas about her brother being too mean to be a professor come to mind.
“He’s not really mean, is he?” I ask Andreas.
Though I’m serious, he laughs. “Yeah, he is. But he’s not even the meanest of us.”
He shakes his head when my eyes bulge. “Don’t worry, they won’t bother you.”
“They?”
“What are you two whispering about?” a deep voice projects from a few feet away, but captures my attention.
I turn to face Tristan who’s glaring at the both of us.
“You,” Andreas says, his voice surprisingly deep and projecting. “Problem?” he asks, wrapping an arm around my waist.
Tristan grunts.
“Didn’t think so. Anyway, Chlo-Chlo and Tristan, this is Ivy, my future.”
Tingles move down my spine. Andreas has been introducing me in this way to everyone in his family since we arrived. I asked him last night why he didn’t just say girlfriend.
He told me it didn’t carry enough meaning.
Anyone can be a girlfriend. But my future is with you and only you.
So, of course, after that I spent the night trying to swallow him whole. I only got so far before Andreas turned the tables and had me calling out his name. Good thing we’re staying in the guest house which is on the other side of the property.
“It’s so nice to meet you!” Chloe says before pulling me into a surprise hug. “You’re really pretty. And I’m pretty sure my cousin is in love with you. Hope he’s told you.”
“Chloe—”
“Where’s Stasi?”
“Right here,” Stasi yells from the sliding glass door, a large glass dish in her hand.
“I’ll help,” Chloe calls out as she takes off running toward her cousin, helping her with the desserts Stasi has just brought out.
The party swirls around us, as I’m introduced to more and more of Andreas’ seemingly endless family. For a while I lose sight of his parents, who’ve been in and out of the house, as well as his many aunts, uncles, and grandparents, and countless close friends.
My suspicions were right.
The love I sensed between Andreas’ nuclear family, is also present within the relationships of his extended family.
“Whoa,” I gasp when a very large man follows a beautiful Black, plus-sized woman. “That has to be your Uncle Brutus, right?” Andreas has told me of the six foot-plus head of security turned adopted family member.
“The one and only.” He grabs my hand to make our way through the other guests to introduce us.
“I told her about the chocolate chip scones at your café, Aunt Mia,” Andreas tells her.
“We stopped by yesterday. They were delicious,” I tell his aunt. “We’ll have to try some more before we leave.”
Smiling, she tells us she’ll set some aside for just us since they sell out quickly.
And on and on it goes. By the time evening rolls around, I’ve had to meet at least a hundred new people. The names swim in my head.
“I don’t think I’m going to remember everyone.”
Andreas laughs before he spins me on the dance floor and then catches me with an arm by my waist. We’re one of the many couples in the middle of the dance floor that’s been set up on one side of the yard.
