Page 115 of What Are The Odds?
“Happy birthday, Gracie,” they said in sync.
Grace beamed. “Where are you?”
They turned the phone, capturing an amazing looking beach and stunning sunset.
“Jealous,” Grace said. “Is it warm there?”
While I hadn’t officially met Grace’s brothers, I’d seen enough pictures to know who was who.
Seth, the eldest, nodded. “Thirty-three-degrees still.”
“Ninety-one,” Grace translated for me.
Shit. That sounded a lot better than the high of fifty-four we were expected to get.
“Who’s that?” Seth asked, squinting at the screen.
Dylan snickered. “Mate, you need glasses.”
“No I don’t. The sun is causing a glare is all.”
“Nah, mate. Your eyesight is cactus.”
Grace giggled as she watched her brothers argue. They spoke in a way very similar to her, and their mannerisms were matching.
“This is Levi,” Grace said. “My boyfriend.”
Seth’s eyebrows rose. “She has an American boyfriend?”
“I do.”
Now I understood her angst meeting my family. I had the safety net of meeting her brothers through a phone, and it was still terrifying.
A playfulness edged into Seth’s tone. “I thought he was just a friend?”
“He was.” Grace nestled closer. “At first.”
“You look huge,” Dylan said. “You play football or something?”
Ouch. Sore spot.
Grace chuckled. “Levi’s captain of the ice hockey team. You guys would like it. It’s super fun to watch.”
Seth nodded, smiling in a way very similar to Grace’s. “Well, it’s good to formerly meet you, Levi.”
I finally found my voice. “You too. And thanks for your help with the snacks. It was a hit.”
I left out the part where the tin of Milo got me laid. I don’t think he’d appreciate that.
“So.” Dylan edged his face closer to the camera. “How long have you been going out?”
Grace’s eyebrows drew together as she glanced at me for confirmation. “Um.”
I counted it from the first time I kissed her. It was all over for me after that.
“Two months,” I supplied.
“Huh,” Grace quipped. “That’s gone fast.”
