Then I turn to my brother. “And you can drop the baby part of the introduction when you introduce me to your girlfriend.” I draw out the word girlfriend the way a kid might if they were teasing.

Finn rolls his eyes. When we hear the clicking of heels on the wood floor, we all turn in that direction.

Emerging from the kitchen is a beautiful black goddess. That’s the only word I can think of to describe her. Her hair is short and pinned at the sides to make a sort of faux-hawk, and her deep-umber skin sets off her amber eyes and red lips that match the red silk jumpsuit she’s wearing. She’s gorgeous and I suddenly feel like a complete frump in the long-sleeve cotton tee and jeans I’m wearing.

“Speaking of…” Finn holds his arm out to welcome her to his side, and she moves into the space, locking herself there as though they’re magnets. “Zahra, this is my sister, Mac.”

“It’s wonderful to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She smiles wide and there’s nothing fake about it. It’s welcoming and honest and sets me at ease that the two of us can find a connection despite her glamorous appearance.

I glance at my brother with a look I know he’ll interpret correctly—I wish I could say the same, but I only found out about her a few weeks ago—then smile at Zahra. “It’s really great to finally meet you. Finn has been keeping you all to himself except for the fact that you’re gorgeous, which you are.”

My brother relaxes. That’s right, big bro, I can throw some brownie points your way.

Zahra sets her hand on his chest. “Well, that’s always nice to hear.”

“Let me take your coat for you.”

I remove my jacket and my brother takes it while I hand the bottle of white wine to Zahra.

“I’ll go put this in the spare bedroom,” Finn says with my coat in his hand.

“And I’ll go pour you a glass of this.” Zahra raises the wine bottle then heads into the kitchen, leaving Andrew and me alone.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper with a little more agitation in my voice than I intend.

“Your brother invited me.” He’s still acting cool toward me, for whatever reason.

“A little heads-up would have been nice.”

My brother returns from down the hall, preventing Andrew from answering. “Oh good, you two are getting to know each other. Let’s go sit.”