Page 53 of Miss Manage

The knock at my front door came too fast, too loud, and was far too familiar. Shit.

Before I could reach the door, I heard the telltale jingle of keys, which meant one of two people, and both had a gift for showing up at the worst possible time.

Gabriel was outside playing catch with Austin, which was already enough to have me on edge. Add my mother and sister to that equation, and I was about thirty seconds from needing a paper bag to breathe into.

I flew toward the entryway, but the door swung open before I got there.

“Homemade lasagna,” my mom announced proudly, sweeping past me like she owned the place, arms stacked with foil-covered pans smelling of garlic and basil.

Michelle followed, bakery box in hand and grin firmly in place. “And cannoli. Don’t get too excited because you’re sharing.”

I forced a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. “What are you both doing here?”

“Austin texted saying he was heading over here earlier, and your sister and I were making some food to freeze, so we thought we’d bring some by.”

Michelle took one of the cannoli out and popped it into her mouth. “Because Mom doesn’t believe me when I say I eat healthy enough.”

My sister would eat Top Ramen washed down with a beer every night if left to her own devices. The fact she’d inherited my father’s metabolism was unfair.

“Uh, thanks for dropping stuff off. How about we put it in the fridge and all grab a seat in the living room?” Then perhaps I could sneak out back, tell Gabe to make a run for it, and avoid a scene.

But it wasn’t to be. My sister froze mid-step on her way into the kitchen, eyes narrowing toward the patio doors out into the yard. Without a shred of shame, she crossed the room and plastered herself against the glass like a nosy neighbor in a sitcom.

“Oh. My. God.”

I didn’t even have to look. I already knew the vision responsible for rendering her speechless.

Out in my backyard, Gabriel had rolled up his sleeves, and his forearms flexed as he lobbed the ball cleanly to Austin. He appeared maddeningly at ease, with a charming smile, broad shoulders, and the sun catching in his hair like he was in a shampoo commercial.

Michelle let out a low whistle. “You’ve been holding out on us, Charlotte.” She rapped on the glass like she was trying to summon an animal in a zoo enclosure, immediately catching both Gabriel’s and Austin’s attention. And because she was Michelle, she added a slow, exaggerated pageant wave. “That’s right, hot stranger, show us your form.”

I groaned. “Michelle.”

She turned, eyes alight with mischief. “Must have been quite the ride.”

“Seriously,” I hissed. “In front of Mom?”

Mom, of course, joined her at the window, peering out with zero shame. “Please. You girls act like I didn’t have my share of ‘quite the rides’ from your father.”

“Nope,” Michelle countered immediately, clapping her hands over her ears. “Absolutely not. La la la.”

“Just…no,” I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. Pointing at my sister, I left no doubt she was the issue. “This is your fault for having zero filter.”

“I know, and I have regrets,” she groaned, pacing away from the glass. “I did not see that overshare coming.”

Mom shrugged, unbothered. “Gabriel could be a movie star. The type who runs down a beach in slow motion. What’s he look like without the shirt?”

Incredible. Which wasn’t something I’d share with her ever.

“Both of you, please stop.” I knew my plea fell on deaf ears, but they’d taken an awkward situation and amped it up by one thousand percent.

Michelle smirked. “I can’t believe Austin and Mom both got to meet him before I did. Rude.”

“He’s not—” I started.

“Not what?” she cut in, wicked grin spreading. “Not out there, playing catch with your son? Not the guy you swore was a one-time thing?”

Okay, yes, those had been my words.