Only With Me (With Me #2)(47)

"What's on the menu?" I asked.

Gabi had three different menus planned and wasn't going to pick one until she got here. Before she had a chance to answer, I heard a familiar voice. All three of us froze.

"Gabriella! Nicholaus! So this is what I have to do to see you two."

With wide eyes of terror, Gabi whispered, "Please tell me that's not your mom."

My eyes swung over to look at my mother standing there with my aunt Maria and Aunt Agnes.

"Shit," I whispered.

"Oh God. This is not happening. This is it!" Gabi exclaimed as she covered her mouth.

I placed my hands on her shoulders and leaned in closer. In a whispered voice, I asked, "What is wrong?"

Her eyes met mine. "This is her challenge! I thought it was that day in the bakery. That was a merely a test! She's here to take me down!"

I laughed. "My mother is not here to take you down."

She slowly shook her head and asked, "How did she know?"

Then we both turned to look at Liza. She took a step away. "You didn't."

Liza's eyes were everywhere. Me, my mother, back to Gabi, back to my mother. "I might have mentioned it that day in the bakery when she was there. But she saw the registration form and asked if you had entered! I didn't know I wasn't supposed to say."

"Nicholaus, don't be rude. Introduce your Gabriella to your Aunt Maria and Aunt Agnes."

Gabi took in a slow deep breath before turning and facing my mother and aunts.

With my hand on her back, we walked closer. "Mama, this is a surprise to see you here."

She looked taken aback. "Why? I love to cook, this is a cooking competition. Why wouldn't I be here?"

"Because you've never entered one before."

The three of them laughed. "Please. Your mama has won more cooking competitions than anyone in this room."

Gabi swayed, and I tightened my grip on her.

When my mother turned to look at Gabi, she wore a wide smile. "My Nicholaus cares for you, so that makes you a part of the family."

"Thank you, Mrs. Drivas."

"No! Katerina. That is what you will call me." 

With a quick nod, Gabi replied, "Yes, ma'am."

Clapping her hands loudly, Gabi jumped. "So, with you being a part of our family, I want to make sure you come in second so I've brought you some help."

Oh for shits sake.

"Help?" Gabi asked with a strained voice.

And before our eyes appeared my cousins Sophia and Angie, and just when I didn't think it could get worse, cousin Maria walked up carrying a giant bag with some rat looking dog in it.

"Um, I don't think you can have a dog in here," Liza said.

Everyone turned and looked at cousin Maria. "Are you shitting me? I don't go anywhere without my Nikky."

Gabi looked at me and asked, "Is the dog named after you?"

Everyone laughed as my mother walked up and hugged Gabi. "I do like a woman with a sense of humor. Now, the family wants to meet you."

I pulled out my phone and sent Thano a text.

Me: Code fucking red!

Not ten seconds later, he responded.

Thano: Oh hell. What's happening?

Me: Mom crashed Gabi's cooking competition.

Thano: Seeking Kilyn's advice. Hold please.

"Gabriella, this is Aunt Maria and Aunt Agnes."

Gabi reached her hand out to theirs.

"Then you have Nic's cousins, Sophia, Angie, and Maria."

Gabi smiled. "Are you mother and daughter?" she asked looking between Aunt Maria and cousin Maria. They both laughed.

"No, why?" cousin Maria asked.

"Ahh! You made it!" my mother called out as her best friend came walking up. I couldn't help but groan.

Me: Half the fucking family is showing up. They are Maria'ing her to death!

Thano: Kilyn said she'll be praying for Gabi. That's all she's got.

I rolled my eyes. "Bastard."

"Gabriella, this is my very dear friend, Maria."

I didn't think Gabi could look any more confused. "Oh, um, another Maria! That's a lot of Maria's under one roof." They all stared at her like they didn't get it.

They fucking got it.

"All right, well now that the gang is here, Mama you should be heading on over to your station."

"You're not coming over there with me?"

Gabi's head jerked to the side to look at me. Oh shit. What the hell do I do? I can't ask Thano . . . they're both staring at me.

I did the only thing I knew to do. I looked for guidance from Liza. My eyes were wide as she motioned to Gabi.

Right. Right. I needed to stay with Gabi.

"Well, Mama, I was planning on helping Gabi and being here for moral support with this being her first competition and all." Gabi glared at me.

Shit, what did I do now?

Then my mother turned back to Gabi. "First, huh?" My heart dropped in my chest. That's why Gabi shot me a dirty look. "Well, I better let you get going then. Good luck."