Swinging the door open I’m met with the sight of Bennett. He’s standing there without a care in the world like he isn’t interrupting my nightly doom scrolling. In one hand he has a pizza box, the other a six-pack of beer. He lifts the pizza box slightly, with a small, almost hesitant smile forming on his face. “I’m hoping you haven’t eaten yet.”

The smell of cheese, grease, and perfectly crisped crust drifts toward me, triggering a pang of hunger I hadn’t even noticed before. Still, suspicion lingers. “And what, you’re my personal delivery guy now?”

“Can we call it an olive branch?” His tone is casual, but there’s a guardedness to it.

Arms crossing over my chest, I lean against the doorframe, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make a point. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch. Just beer and pizza. Thought we could talk. Maybe get to know one another.”

The easy answer throws me off more than anything else. Guys like Bennett don’t just show up without an agenda. Then again, guys like Bennett don’t exist in my world—not until recently, anyway.

Another waft of pizza hits me, and my stomach betrays me with a quiet growl. With a sigh, I step back and gesture for him to come in. “I hope you at least had the sense to get it from Tony’s.”

“Obviously.” He nudges the door shut behind him, dropping the pizza on the coffee table before setting the beer beside it. “What kind of asshole would I be if I showed up with anything else?”

A reluctant snort escapes as I grab plates from the kitchen. By the time I return, a cold can is already flying toward me. Monkeynaut. The label stares back at me, unfamiliar.

“Monkeynaut?” The name alone is enough to make me skeptical.

“Best damn beer from where I grew up.” A cap pops, and Bennett takes a swig like he’s just cracked open a piece of home.

One sip in, and I have to admit—it’s not bad. Hoppier than I usually go for, but smooth.

“Not bad.”

“Not bad?” Bennett scoffs. “That’s top-tier beer, cousin.”

The word lingers between us, heavier than it should be. Family. Blood. A reality I haven’t fully wrapped my head around yet.

Tipping the can toward him, I arch a brow. “So that’s what this is? This is your way to bribe me with pizza and beer to get me to call you cousin?”

Bennett shrugs, taking another sip before shrugging. “If that’s what it takes.”