Page 114 of Wardrobe Malfunction

“Yeah”—she smiles—“I’m good. Your nephews and niece are adorable.”

“They get it from me.”

“Of course they do.” She rolls her eyes, making me laugh.

I push open the door, seeing the familiar sight of the women in my family in the kitchen. As usual, Meg’s sitting at the breakfast bar, reading a magazine and sipping a glass of wine; she’s not a cooker. Gran, Mom, and Sasha are working in perfect sync.

“We’re here,” I announce.

“Vaughn!” Meg hops off her stool and runs at me, throwing her arms around me like she hasn’t seen me for a year. “Missed you, movie star.”

“Missed you, too, Nutmeg.”

“And you must be Charly!” She lets go of me and advances on Charly, sweeping her up in a hug.

I think Charly must be getting used to the hugs, as she doesn’t seem to freeze up this time.

“I love your hair! Sasha said it was gorgeous, and it really is. Come sit with me.” She grabs Charly’s hand, leading her over to the breakfast bar.

“Hey, Mom.” I lean over and kiss her cheek.

“Hey.” She smiles.

“Sasha, Gran.” I smile at them. “You doing okay?”

“I would be if your sister didn’t keep trying to give me the easy jobs.” Gran frowns at Sasha.

“I’m not!” Sasha holds her hands up in innocence.

“Do you want a glass of wine?” Meg asks Charly.

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Movie star, grab us a glass for Charly. So, you’re the girl who finally tamed my baby brother.”

“Hey! Who says I’m tamed?” I put the wine glass down and pick up the bottle, pouring some into the glass for Charly.

“Thanks,” she says to me, picking it up and taking a sip.

I rest my arm around her shoulder.

Meg is staring at us with a big smile on her face.

“What?” I say to her.

“Nothing.”

“You’re acting weirder than usual, Nutmeg.”

“You just look so adorable together.” She presses her hands to her chest.

“And, on that note, we’re going to say hi to Dad and Vic. Come on, Pins.” I reach for her hand, helping her off the stool.

“Oh my God, you have a nickname for her! That’s so sweet! Did you hear that, Mom? Vaughn has a nickname for Charly. It’s so cute.”

“Run,” I whisper into Charly’s ear. “Before she starts getting out Sasha’s bridal magazines for us to take a look at.”

Charly looks at me. There’s a beat of hesitation in her eyes, which she quickly covers with a smile. And, as we make a hasty exit from the kitchen and away from my overly romantic sister, I wonder where the hesitation came from, but before I can think too much about it, the second we step outside, we’re under attack from Jester. Well, Charly is. He practically leaps into her arms. She giggles, cuddling him, while he licks her face.