"Would we be ordering pizza instead?"
"God. No. Mom would hunt us down and force-feed us her lasagna."
As if on cue, the front door swings open, revealing a statuesque woman with silver-streaked dark hair and Alder's jawline.
"You're late," she announces, though her smile is warm. "And you must be Lena." She opens her arms. "I'm Juniper.”
Before I can extend a handshake, I'm enveloped in a hug that smells of basil and expensive shampoo.
"It's lovely to meet you, Mrs. Stag," I say when she releases me.
"Juniper, please," she corrects, ushering us inside. "I kept my name, you know. Couldn't bear to give up the alliteration."
The house is a beautiful chaos of noise and activity. I count at least fifteen people in the open living and dining areas, many of them tall, blond, and unmistakably related to Alder. Gunnar spots us first, waving from where he sits with a curvy brunette who must be his fiancée, Emerson.
"The baby returns," he calls. "And he's brought the tooth fairy."
I feel Alder tense beside me, but Juniper swats Gunnar's arm as we approach.
"Behave," she warns, then gently pushes me toward Emerson. "Lena, meet the bride-to-be. Em, this is Lena, Alder's friend."
I catch the careful phrasing and wonder how much Juniper actually knows or suspects.
Emerson stands to greet me, and I'm struck by how she's built similarly to me—curved hips, full chest, soft arms. She's wearing a sundress that highlights rather than hides her figure and carries herself with easy confidence.
"So, you're the infamous new team dentist," she says with a grin. "And Alder's mystery woman from the soccer match."
I flush. "I don't know about infamous..."
"Are you kidding? The photo of you two was all over social media. Cara's been complaining about how you stole her thunder after that assist." Despite her words, Emerson's tone is friendly. "Come sit with me. I need a break from floral arrangements."
I glance at Alder, who nods encouragingly. "Go ahead. I'll get us drinks."
I join Emerson on the couch, where she immediately pulls out her phone to show me wedding food options. It's a surprisingly effective icebreaker, and I find myself relaxing as we discuss the merits of various Pittsburgh traditions like cookie tables and pierogis.
"You have to understand," Emerson explains, "marrying into this family means incorporating hockey somehow. Juniper's already suggested an ice sculpture."
"Of hockey sticks?"
"Of stags. Like, actual deer. On ice." She rolls her eyes, but her affection is obvious. "This family takes their name very seriously."
"I noticed the tattoo," I admit. "On Alder's shoulder."
"The family tat? They all have it. Even Cara's talking about getting one, and she's just dating Wes." Emerson leans closer. "Between us, I'm holding out until the wedding. Gives Gunnar something to look forward to."
I laugh, genuinely enjoying her company. Across the room, I spot a slim woman with an athlete's posture who must be Cara. She's watching us with thoughtful eyes, reminding me that she saw Alder and me at her game and how we used her match for our petty revenge.
Alder returns with drinks, handing me a glass of white wine. "Mom's interrogating Tucker about his removable tooth,” he explains. "I barely escaped."
"Tucker’s here?" I scan the room, looking for Alder's twin.
"He's in the kitchen, trying to escape mom," Alder says. "Food's almost ready."
A tall, distinguished-looking man approaches us, his expression unreadable. "Alder," he says, extending his hand. "Good to see you."
"Uncle Tim." Alder's smile tightens slightly. "This is Lena Sinclair, the new team dentist. Lena, this is my uncle, Tim Stag, attorney at law and family nuisance."
Tim's handshake is firm, his assessment of me is unmistakable. "Dr. Sinclair. I've heard a great deal about you." His gaze flicks between Alder and me. Before I can respond, Juniper calls everyone to dinner.
