Mama Ami shoved us out the door. “Declan cooked for you? Excellent. He’s a good boy. Next time bring him with you to dinner—we’ll feed him.” She turned to lock the door behind us, but continued to look at me over her shoulder. “He’s much better than the last boy you dated.”

“You liked Zach fine until he broke up with me.” Mostly because he felt I was too focused on my apprenticeship and didn’t pay enough attention to him.

Mama Ami sniffed. “Not true. I always thought he was smug. Always smirking. Rarely said thank you, and he never came to family dinner.”

It was true. He found my family gatherings to be “chaotic” and “overwhelming.”

She hit the button on her key fob, making her car chirp. “See, Declan is already better. You hold on to that one.”

I threw my hands up in the air. “We’re not dating. He’s not mine to keep a hold of. He’s just a mother hen.”

She dipped her chin sharply. “Then he’s Trick’s?” She patted his shoulder. “Good for you. He looks strong—nice shoulders.”

Trick laughed. “He’s not my type. We’re just friends.”

Mama Ami eyed us both carefully, her gaze landing on me. “I see.”

I didn’t like the evil glint in her eye. “No.” I put my hands up. “Absolutely not. He’s my roommate. No matchmaking.”

She patted my cheek, giving the other one a kiss. “Okay, dear. Whatever you say.”

I didn’t believe her easy capitulation for a second. “I mean it. No sitting him next to me at meals, setting us up on dates, and no ‘subtle hints’ about what a catch I am. I love you, but you’re about as subtle as a party cruise ship covered in fairy lights.”

“Okay, okay.” Mama Ami turned to her car, waving goodbye. “Perfectly good man right under both your noses, and do you take advantage? No.” Her voice carried easily over the small parking lot. “Fine. I’m going to go home to my wonderful husband, because I know a good catch when I see one, and I made sure to put a ring on it.”

“Is it weird that I now sort of want to propose to Declan out of guilt?” Trick asked.

“No,” I said, digging out my own keys. “My family is just really good at getting you to do what they think is best. It’s their super power.”

Declan

Despite how long my day had been, I had energy. I should be exhausted. This morning started early with prep work at the kitchen space Lara and Jen rented for their food truck. Then home for a quick shower because I’d reeked of onions, garlic, vinegar, and lemon. Delicious in food, but not on a person. After that, I was at the tattoo shop for six hours. To save time, I’d had our groceries delivered to the house. It may be a time saver, but honestly, I hated not being able to assess the ingredients myself.