Page 78 of Luck of the Devil

I hadn’t seen my aunt in years, but I recognized her instantly. She looked older but was still mostly the same. I, on the other hand, had been a preteen the last time she’d seen me. Had she Googled me to know what I looked like?

I got to my feet, feeling uncomfortable and wishing Malcolm were here to help ease me through this. It only made me appreciate how he’d helped me when I met my grandparents. And I felt even more ashamed for lashing out.

I extended a hand. “Hi, I’m?—”

I didn’t get my name out before she rushed over and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a bear hug.

“Harper. I’d know you anywhere, girl. I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I can’t believe I’m here either,” I said.

She released me and placed her hands on my cheeks. “I’m so sorry to hear about your mother.’

“Thank you. I’m sorry for your loss too.”

She made a face. “I grieved losing your mother years ago.” She shot a glance at my grandfather, then back to me. “Dad said two someones were here.” She looked around. “Where is he?”

“Who said the other someone was a he?” Grandpa asked with a chuckle.

“Please,” Hannah said. “Who else would she bring?”

“My father’s not here,” I said, in case she thought he was the mysterious he.

She waved a hand in disgust. “He’s the last person I would expect to show up.”

My grandparents had told me they didn’t have any issues with my father, so I was surprised by her response. They might not have bad blood with Paul Adams, but it was obvious she did.

Hannah continued, “And if you brought someone, I would think they’d be close to you.” Her brow lifted mischievously. “Like a boyfriend or fiancé?”

“He’s picking up dinner,” my grandmother said.

“And they’re just friends,” my grandfather added.

Hannah frowned. “Dad said we were going out to eat.”

“James thought we might be more comfortable eating here,” I said, making sure to his first name since that was how he’d introduced himself. “He figured we’d have more privacy this way.”

“And also,” Malcolm said, walking up behind my aunt through the still open front door, “so we don’t feel pressured to leave if we get into a lengthy conversation.” He was carrying two large brown paper bags by the handles. “I hope the change of plans is okay.”

Relief swamped my head, making me lightheaded. I never seriously thought he’d desert me, but seeing him loosened the tightness around my heart. He didn’t appear angry, but he hadn’t looked at me yet either.

Hannah spun around and gasped. “You picked up food from Viva Italiana? You can change plans anytime if you’re feeding me food from there.” She gasped again, then cocked her head, turning serious. “Please tell me you got the ravioli.”

He raised a brow, the left corner of his lip lifting, giving him a mischievous look. “I got the ravioli.”

Her face lit up like she’d woken up to a house full of presents on Christmas morning. “I’ll get the plates!” She sprinted toward the kitchen, then stopped and turned around. “I’m Hannah by the way. Harper’s aunt.”

He nodded in acknowledgment. “James. Harper’s friend.”

Hannah waggled her eyebrows. “Friend, huh?”

“So they insist,” my grandmother said, but she wore a big smile that said she didn’t believe it for a minute.

I rolled my eyes and then tried to make eye contact with Malcolm, but he’d already headed to the dining room.

I tried to swallow my disappointment. He was putting on a show for my family, but I was guessing he was still pissed at me. And if he wasn’t, the peace wouldn’t last after I told him about Deveraux.

He pulled a container out of the bag and started to put it on the table, then stopped, asking my grandmother if he needed to put something underneath it to protect the table.