Page 17

“God no. Just here for a visit.”

“It was Amelia’s birthday last week. We had some partying to do,” Lucille adds, gliding up beside me. Mack tries to give Lucille’s body a subtle scan. Both Lucille and I notice and then I understand Lucille’s timing. She’s testing and clearly whatever her assumption was, she’s smug about being correct. “I’m Lucille Loch.” She offers Mack her hand, which is taken immediately.

“Shall we get a drink?” I offer to everyone. Lucille’s games don’t surprise me, but that doesn’t mean I’m comfortable. “Erin, why don’t you and Mack take a seat. We’ll grab something for us all.”

“Okay, thank you.” Erin has a small tinge of red on her cheeks that is adorable.

Making my way over to the bar, I pull Lucille close. “No games, Luce. Understand? I don’t want you interfering with them.”

Lucille tuts and rolls her eyes. “Come on, Amelia.”

“No.” I state. Leaving no room for argument. She huffs but doesn’t protest further. We collect a tray of champagne and head over to the seating area.

“What is it you do, Mack?” I ask, handing out flutes of champagne. More of my family have gravitated over.

“I’m a pediatrician,” she answers. Wonderful, she helps sick kids. I make money off of drunk people. Score one for Mack.

“Admirable. Thank you for everything you do,” I say, meaning every word. “It must be hard sometimes.”

“Oh, for sure, but it’s my passion. I have wanted to be a doctor since I was small. The hours are long, but the kids are worth every sleep-deprived second,” Mack laughs. Dammit, she’s a nice person too.

“At least she gets my strange hours,” Erin adds with a smile.

“Please let me know if you need to change your hours, Erin,” I say. “We want you to be happy at Insomnia.”

“I am,” she rushes to say. “I have zero complaints. I’ve always been an owl, staying awake until the early hours.”

“If you’re sure.”

“Positive. Really!” Our eyes stay locked, and I know I need to tread lightly. My body is betraying me. The pull of her is magnetic and rather distracting. Thankfully, my parents’ timing is right on point. They join us right on time to save me from doing anything stupid.

The conversation shifts, allowing me to take a breath. That’s the good thing about a large family. No one stays the center of attention for long. Jacob regales us with stories from his office. Mack still looks a little out of place. I think the sheer number of us is overwhelming for her.

Mack stands a little taller than Erin, but not by much. Compared to the Lochs she is small. Her hair is chestnut and hangs just below her shoulders. I can’t say she’s not pretty. I wish I could. It’s understandable why Erin is attracted to her.

Erin is happily talking to my family. She’s not shy. Claire is sitting on Maria’s knee again. We have enough chairs, but that seems to be their thing, I suppose. I tune back into the conversation in time to hear Erin laughing with my siblings. “… You’re all freakishly tall. Has anyone ever told you that?” she chuckles.

Every single Loch is enamored with her. This is both wonderful and awful. There is no way they are going to allow me to do this my own way. “Or you are just very short,” Aliah laughs.

“It’s true,” Erin sighs playfully. “Both my parents are small. It’s not fair.”

“Oh, I don’t know. What’s that saying? Ah yes… all good things come in small packages,” my father smiles.

“I like you, Mr. Loch,” Erin laughs, pointing at him.

“Harlan, please. No need to be so formal.”

“And you must call me Victoria. I insist.”

I see Mack discreetly pull her phone out and sigh. She leans in and whispers something into Erin’s ear. “I’m so sorry, but I have to go. A patient needs me.”

“Of course. I hope everything is okay.” I admire Mack. Erin has clearly found a good one.

“I’ll call you,” Mack says softly to Erin before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Well, that sucks,” Jacob sighs a little too dramatically. No one apart from Erin is sorry that Mack has left.

“Let’s eat,” my mother calls.