Rushing out of the car, I slam the door behind me and jog to them, excited to embrace them. “Hi, guys! I’ve missed you!”
They open their arms for me right before Muffin and I barrel into them.
“Hi, cupcake,” Oliver says. “How have you been?”
“Noelle,” Emma says endearingly.
Pulling away from their hug, I say, “I’ve been doing good. I actually have someone I want you to meet.”
They immediately look at the car, seeing Kat close the door behind her as she gets out.
She begins walking to us, and we meet her halfway.
“Katy, this is Emma and Oliver. I grew up with them. They work for my parents’.” I hesitate, not sure how exactly to word it.
Oliver chuckles, and that deep, throaty laugh escapes him. “I’m the butler, although I prefer jack-of-all-trades, and Emma here is the head of the cleaning crew, occasional chef, occasional therapist, et cetera.”
Kat does a good job at hiding her surprise. Maybe I should have told her about them, but then again, it is kind of fun to watch her control her reaction.
“It is very nice to meet you both. Please, call me Kat,” she says so politely and sweetly.
Oliver rubs his mittens together. “You three get inside, and we will get your luggage. It was great meeting you, Kat.”
Kat looks at me, wide-eyed. “Mansion and hired staff? Noelle Evergreen, you surprise me.”
Shaking my head, I guide us to the front door. “In good ways, I hope.”
She nods as I grab the handle, slowly pulling the door open. “After you, love.”
The warmth and smell of my childhood home fills my senses with nostalgia. The door closes behind us, and I take Kat’s coat and mittens, hanging them in the closet.
“Thank you,” she whispers to me as someone in the living room laughs.
I’d recognize that deep belly laugh anywhere.
Dad.
“Come on. Time to meet the family.” I take a step forward, but she puts a soft hand on my forearm.
“I’m nervous,” Kat whispers to me.
Why in the hell would she really be nervous?
I take a deep breath, lifting my chin up as I inhale to encourage her to do the same. She does. We exhale together, and I lift her hand from my arm. But I don’t drop it.
Instead, I thread my fingers through hers and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve got you, love. Don’t worry.”
She smiles, seemingly more relaxed, and then I pull her along with me into the main room.
My brother spots us first, and he immediately smiles that too-big-for-his-face smile. “Look who’s finally here.”
This causes my parents to dramatically turn to us. They fly up from their seats and come to greet us.
“Sweetie! You guys made it!” my mom says as her eyes bounce between us both. “You must be Katy!” my mom says as she pulls Kat from me and into a hug.
Oliver and Emma walk in, smile, and head straight to the stairs with our luggage.
When my mom finally releases her, Kat says, “Please, call me Kat. It is so nice to meet you, Mrs. Evergreen”—she glances toward my dad—“Mr. Evergreen.”
