Page 59 of Mr. Almost

The doorbell rings, making her jump.

“Everything is going to be fine,” I remind her.

Reluctantly, I take a step back and head to the door.

“Hey guys, come on in,” I tell Max, Eli, and Brantley, who are standing outside.

“Thanks for inviting us,” Eli says.

“Why are we having dinner here? We usually go out,” Brantley chimes in.

“I think you can hold off on trolling for women for one night,” Max tells him.

Brantley scoffs at Max before turning to me. “Seriously though, it sounded important. Is everything okay?”

I take a deep breath as I try to calm my nerves. “I want you guys to meet someone.”

The guys look at each other but don’t say anything as I lead them deeper into the house.

Olivia comes into view, and she offers the guys a weak smile.

“Hi.” She waves awkwardly.

“You wanted to introduce us to Olivia? We’ve met her before,” Eli says with amusement in his voice.

I hear Max suck in a breath, but I don’t look in his direction.

“Actually, there’s someone else I would like you to meet,” I tell them.

“Mommy! I washed my hands!” Ari yells as she comes walking down the hall. She stops right as she crosses into the living room and stares at the three men next to me. “Who are you?”

“Guys, I’d like you to meet Olivia’s and my daughter, Arianna. Ari, I would like you to meet my two best friends, Brantley and Eli.” I point at them.

Her eyes move over to the man on my other side. “Who’s that?”

I turn my body slightly and put my hand on Max’s shoulder. “This is my brother, Max.”

Her eyes light up. “If he’s your brother, that means he’s my uncle, right?”

“That’s right, sweetheart,” Olivia confirms, her voice full of emotion.

Ari claps her hands under her chin. “I’ve never had an uncle before.”

Brantley scoffs, making all of the adults in the room tense. “Do you know what’s better than one uncle, Little Bit?”

Ari’s eyes move to him. “What?”

“Three uncles,” he tells her before looking at Eli and Max. “Just so you know, the game is on. I’m going to be her favorite. Hands down.”

“Seriously? It’s not a competition.” Max sighs.

Brantley looks at Max, full of disappointment. “Everything is a competition.”

“You have so much explaining to do,” Eli says under his breath, so only I can hear him.

As discreetly as possible, I nod.

“Well, what are we doing standing around? I was told there was food, and I’m hungry,” Eli says, slapping his hands together.

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