Page 120 of My Lucky Charm

“Oh, good grief,” Raya says.

Raya can pretend she doesn’t like Finn’s advances, but the man is gorgeous. And he’s fun, which is exactly what my sister needs, whether she can see it or not.

“Finn is too young for me,” Raya says, as if that’s a valid excuse. “This is a strategic career move.” Because, of course it is. Because my sister is the definition of a professional. The opposite of me in every way. Raya is calculated and measured, which is why she’s a success, and I’m still over here trying to find my footing, punching guys, and crashing cars.

There’s always been a sort of divide between my oldest sister and me. Not a divide . . . just a difference of perspective.

Maybe it’s because we want different things or because I don’t have the courage to admit out loud what I know to be true—that Raya doesn’t respect my choices. Because she sees my choices as impulsive and emotional.

“Well, I think you should take the job,” Poppy says, pulling my attention.

“I don’t know. It’s just so different than what I . . .” Raya continues talking, and I zone out.

Gray moves over to the side of the counter where I’m sitting, and I’m thankful for the diversion. Sometimes I get stuck in the rut of comparison when it comes to my two older, more successful sisters, and I’d much rather focus on something else.

Although, focusing on him is probably just as unproductive.

“Gosh, you almost look . . . relaxed,” I say, facing him. “It suits you.”

“Where’s—?”

“She’s in the den,” I say quietly. “Watching something age appropriate, I promise.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. She’s at home here.”

The comment seems to land funny, and Gray looks away. “Uh, should I check on her?” His gaze drifts past me into the silence of the house.

“I think she’s fine, but you can if you want to,” I say. “Hey, are you hungry yet?”

His eyes return to mine. “Yeah. I am. I wasn’t until I came in here and smelled whatever it is your sister is—”

At that moment, we both notice that the chatter in the background has died down. We simultaneously slow turn to find Dallas and my sisters are staring at us.

They all straighten their shoulders in unison, like they were given choreography.

“Well, well, well,” Poppy says. “What have we here?”

And I know I’m going to have a lot of questions to answer later tonight.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Gray

Eloise’s sister is an amazing cook.

That’s what I’m thinking when Poppy serves me a third helping of chicken and dumplings.

That—and that it’s nice here.

They’re not friends, exactly, but I think they could be. And Scarlett loves all of them. They all treat her like she’s already part of the family.

If I let them, they’d probably treat me that way, too.

The thing that continues to amaze me most is the way Eloise seems genuinely interested in people. Not just her people, either, but everyone. The guy sweeping the floor at the ice rink. A random woman walking her dog on the street. The waitress. The doorman.

Scarlett.

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