Page 109 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

“Yeah. I just hope she does something about it soon, for both her and Emily’s sakes. When you love someone you just want them to be happy, you know?”

“I know.”

She wandered into the kitchen and opened the cupboard, pulling out the peanut butter. She began shifting boxes around. “Hey, do we have any of those crackers left? Those funny-shaped ones I love so much.”

“In the bag on the counter. I bought you some more this morning.”

“Ooh, thank you! I’m starving.”

“I brought you home lasagna if you’d rather have that.” I took it out of the fridge. “I just put it in here minutes ago. It’s still warm.”

“From your family dinner?” I nodded. “Did you have a nice time?”

“It was interesting, as always.”

She pried open the lid. “God, this smells amazing. Is it all for me?”

“Yep. My mom made sure to send me home bread for you too. It’s homemade and just as good.”

“Aww, that was so sweet of her.” She grabbed a fork and brought everything to the dining room.

“Can I get you anything to drink?”

“No, I’m good, thanks.”

I cracked open a beer and joined her at the table. She ripped off a piece of bread and placed it in her mouth, making an “mmm” sound. Man, Jillian was right; she would fit right in. Both Mom and Frank would adore her.

She was about to dig into the lasagna when she paused. “Is this—”

“Spicy? No, just delicious. You’ll love it.”

She scrunched up her face. “How’d you know I was going to say that?”

I shrugged. “Just a guess. Spicy food is one of your turnoffs.” It almost freaked me out how much I knew about her.

“Hmm.” I watched her as she took a large forkful. Then she closed her eyes and moaned.Holy fuck, Perry. I had to adjust myself. “Oh my God. This is incredible.”

“Yeah, I can see you enjoy it.”Fuck.

“Your mom made this?”

“No, Frank. He does all the cooking. Everything he makes is just as fantastic.”

“Who’s Frank?”

“My stepfather.”

She nodded. “I didn’t know your mom was remarried. What about your dad?”

“What about him?” I took a lengthy sip off my bottle. He wasn’t someone I cared to think about if I could help it.

“Do you see him often too?”

“Never. Even if I wanted to, his trophy wife keeps him too busy.”

“That’s sad.”

She’d stopped eating to focus on me, and I couldn’t have that. I fucking loved watching her eat. “It’s not sad at all, Perry. It’s a good thing. He treated my mom like shit, and Jillian and I suffered right along with her. Now that he’s gone, things are so much better. Frank is just like a father to us, and he couldn’t be a better husband. It’s quite the happy ending, really.”

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