I stared up at Jacob. To see if his face gave anything away. But he didn’t seem to have much of a reaction to the story. Or maybe he looked a little...sad? I pressed my lips together. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked about this.

I put my hand down on top of his.

That seemed to pull him out of his thoughts. He turned to me and smiled.

“Really,” Uncle Matt said. “What is going on between the two of you?”

I really wanted to know the answer to that question too. So I didn’t say a word, waiting for Jacob to answer instead.

“Well.” Jacob lifted his hand from my thigh and put his arm around my shoulders. “Scarlett is my girlfriend.”

It felt like my heart stopped beating. For a second I just stared at him. Had he really just said that? Or was I imagining it? I needed someone to pinch me.

Chloe squealed. “Really?! We’re going to be sisters!” She lunged at me, throwing her arms around me.

That seemed even better than a pinch. I hugged her back.

Jacob had just asked me to be his girlfriend. Or more declared it. And that felt even more romantic to me.

Uncle Matt smiled. “I knew it.”

“I knew it first!” Mr. Nigel yelled. “Master Tanner predicted it when Young Jacob was only four years old. When he taught him that hoes are before bros.”

“What are hoes?” asked Max.

“Nothing,” Aunt Brooklyn said. “Don’t repeat that word.” She gave Mr. Nigel a hard stare. “Nigel.”

“What?” he said. “It worked out perfectly. He put his hoe before his bro.” He gestured toward me and Jacob.

I knew my face had to be bright red.

“Hoes before bros,” Max said and lifted his hand for a high five.

Mr. Nigel high fived him.

“No,” Uncle Matt said. “Don’t high five over that.”

“But what does it mean?” Max asked.

“I think it’s time for a movie and cupcakes,” Aunt Brooklyn said.

“Cupcakes before hoes?” Alora said.

I burst out laughing.

Uncle Matt groaned. “No. Alora...just...no.”

“Oh,” she said. “Hoes before cupcakes?”

“Sweetie, come help me put icing on them,” Aunt Brooklyn said.

“Hoes?”

“No, the cupcakes, sweetie.”

“Hoes before icing,” Alora said as she followed Aunt Brooklyn.

Jacob laughed. “Mr. Nigel, what are you doing?”

“I know that phones aren’t allowed at the table, but I’m texting Master Tanner the good news!” He frowned at his phone. “Huh.”

“What?” Jacob asked.

“Master Tanner already knew. He found out on Saturday apparently. With Young Robert. Why did no one tell me?” Mr. Nigel stuck out his lower lip.

Oh crap. My eyes grew round.

“I only just asked her to be my girlfriend tonight,” Jacob said.

“What were you doing with Rob and Tanner on Saturday night?” Uncle Matt said at the same time.