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The Annoyingly Attractive Neighbor

Page 141

by Chloe Maxey

“I’d hope so.”

Her stomach growled. They were waiting for takeout because they had apparently decided to reenact a movie kiss and ruin the spaghetti.

The good news was that the cookies were perfect.

And she was engaged.

To Noah.

“Should we call your family?” she asked. “Tell them?”

Noah nodded. “Probably so.” He pulled out his phone, went to his mom’s contact, and started a FaceTime call.

“Ainsley is going to freak.” Claire couldn’t contain her excitement.

A grin escaped him. “Yeah, she is.”

The call connected. “Hey, Mom,” Noah spoke first.

“Hey! What’s going on?”

Claire was currently not in the frame. Noah gestured for her to come closer so that both of their faces were visible.

“Hi, Maggie,” she added.

“Claire!” she exclaimed.

Noah wrapped an arm around Claire. “Mom, is everyone there? Can you get them?”

Maggie’s face lit up so quickly that Claire knew she already suspected something. “WILL! EMILY! AINSLEY! GET IN HERE NOW! NOAH AND CLAIRE ARE ON THE PHONE!”

Claire could not contain her laughter. Neither could Noah. It sounded like a herd of elephants through the phone as everyone rushed to Maggie.

Emily had a knowing grin. “Hey guys!”

“What’s going on?” Will asked mischievously. Ainsley waited anxiously.

“Well,” Noah said, drawing it out longer than necessary, “we wanted to tell you guys something.”

“Am I getting another grandkid?” Will immediately joked. Maggie swatted at him.

“What? No. Not yet,” Noah sputtered. Claire’s face flushed.

She nearly choked. They had only just figured out the couch problem. A baby was several conversations away.

“Spit it out, guys,” Maggie teased. Claire was sure the anticipation was killing her.

Noah nodded at Claire, and she raised her hand so that the ring was visible on her finger.

Ainsley let out the most ear-piercing squeal. It was the most shrill sound Claire had ever heard. Then she burst into tears.

“You’re going to be my aunt for real now!” she exclaimed.

Maggie was crying too.

Claire’s eyes burned instantly. “I already told you I was your aunt.”

“But now it’s official!”