Wardrobe Malfunction(67)

“Hey,” I say to my nieces and nephews. “Kids, this is Charly.”

They all let me go, and four sets of eyes all stare at Charly.

“Charly, this is George.” I pat his head. “He belongs to Meg and Vic. These three are Parker, Thomas, and Nora. They’re Sasha and Greg’s.”

“My mama and daddy are getting married,” Nora tells her.

Nora’s three and beyond cute. I adore her.

I know you’re not supposed to have favorites, but she’s my favorite.

“I know,” Charly says, crouching down to Nora’s level. “It’s so exciting. I bet you’re a bridesmaid, right?”

“Uh-huh,” Nora replies. “My brothers are page boys. I’m three, you know.”

“She doesn’t care how old you are,” Thomas says to her. “Are you Uncle Vaughn’s girlfriend?” he asks Charly.

Charly looks up at me and then back at Thomas. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

“Mama said you were his girlfriend,” Nora says. “She was telling Aunt Meg how pretty you are and that she thinks that Uncle Vaughn is going to marry you.”

“And that’s enough of this conversation.” I scoop Nora up in my arms, carrying her through to the living room, blowing a raspberry on her stomach.

“Stop, Uncle Vaughn!” she squeals, grabbing my hair.

Then, I feel arms grab me from behind, and it’s Parker. I drop to my knees, placing Nora on the floor, and take hold of Parker, bringing him over my shoulder. I go down to the floor with him. The next thing I know, I’m under attack from four kids, who are all on me. Three are tickling me while Nora is blowing raspberries on my stomach.

“Uncle Vaughn, why is your tummy so hard? Daddy’s tummy isn’t this hard when I blow raspberries on it. It’s all squishy.”

“Thanks, baby.” I hear Greg’s voice, followed by his laughter.

“Sounds like you need to get to the gym, man.” I look up at him, grinning.

He picks Nora up from off me, gives her a kiss, and puts her to her feet while I continue to wrestle with the boys.

“Grandma wants you all in the kitchen to wash up for dinner.”

They all groan in unison, and then, one by one, they clamber off me and head into the kitchen.

Greg offers me a hand, and I get to my feet.

“Good to see you.” I give him a one-armed hug. “Greg, this is my girl, Charly.”

Charly’s lingering in the living room doorway with this odd look on her face.

I raise a brow in question, but she just returns it with a smile.

“Hey,” Greg says to her, giving her a polite nod. “Good to meet you.”

She walks over and stands beside me. I sling my arm over her shoulder.

“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding,” she says to Greg.

“How are you feeling about signing away your life to my sister?” I joke with him.

“I signed it away years ago.” He chuckles, making us all laugh.

“Where is everyone?” I ask him.

“Your dad’s out back with Vic, showing him the tent. Sasha, your mom, Gran, and Meg are all in the kitchen.”

“I guess we should go let Mom know we’re here,” I tell Charly.

We leave Greg in the living room and head toward the kitchen.

“You okay?” I quietly ask her.

“Yeah”—she smiles—“I’m good. Your nephews and niece are adorable.”

“They get it from me.”

“Of course they do.” She rolls her eyes, making me laugh.

I push open the door, seeing the familiar sight of the women in my family in the kitchen. As usual, Meg’s sitting at the breakfast bar, reading a magazine and sipping a glass of wine; she’s not a cooker. Gran, Mom, and Sasha are working in perfect sync.

“We’re here,” I announce.

“Vaughn!” Meg hops off her stool and runs at me, throwing her arms around me like she hasn’t seen me for a year. “Missed you, movie star.”

“Missed you, too, Nutmeg.”

“And you must be Charly!” She lets go of me and advances on Charly, sweeping her up in a hug.

I think Charly must be getting used to the hugs, as she doesn’t seem to freeze up this time.

“I love your hair! Sasha said it was gorgeous, and it really is. Come sit with me.” She grabs Charly’s hand, leading her over to the breakfast bar.

“Hey, Mom.” I lean over and kiss her cheek.

“Hey.” She smiles.

“Sasha, Gran.” I smile at them. “You doing okay?”

“I would be if your sister didn’t keep trying to give me the easy jobs.” Gran frowns at Sasha.

“I’m not!” Sasha holds her hands up in innocence.