“You didn’t eat much tonight,” Madigan said, wondering if she was just being her shy self, not wanting to be a bother. Aria had social anxieties and tended to try to blend into the background rather than stand out.

“I think I’m still full from last night’s dinner,” Aria said softly. “Zeke dragged me out for pizza with some of his friends, and it was so good, I swear I ate as much as he did.”

Madigan and some of the other girls were pretty sure Aria had a crush on Zeke, who was a few years older than her. He’d tutored her when she was in school and had been watching out for her ever since.

“What happened after dinner?” Gia asked as Marly, Evie, and Sid joined them.

Aria ignored the question.

“Let me guess,” Gia said. “Raven was there.”

“Uh-huh. They’re really good together,” Aria said sweetly.

“Are you talking about Zeke?” Sid asked.

“He’s the only one going out with Raven,” Marly pointed out.

“Wait. Zeke brings you on his dates with her?” Evie asked.

What the heck is my brother thinking?

“No, just when there’s a group of people going,” Aria explained.

Gia looked at her disapprovingly. “What did I tell you about letting him bring you as his third wheel?”

“We’re friends, and I like being with him. Them. I like being with them,” Aria insisted.

“I like being with Uncle Zeke,” Junie interrupted, and the relief on Aria’s face was evident. “We explore together, and he teaches me things.”

In an effort to rescue Aria from any further questions, Madigan said, “Uncle Zeke loves hanging out with you, too, Junie.”

“Okay, Junebug,” Aria said. “I just have to fix this line, and then you’re done.”

“Great, then who’s ready for some diaper pong?” Madigan asked loudly.

There was a flurry of activity, and as the adults headed over to the diaper pong table, Rosie yelled, “I play!”

As Rosie and Gracie ran over, Gracie shouted, “Me too!”

Rosie peered down at the drawing on Junie’s arm. “Pwetty cat.”

“Her name is Rufus, and she surfed all the way from Cape Cod to Hawaii to save her little brother from a meanie,” Junie explained.

“Rufus?” Madigan’s mother asked with an arched brow.

“She’s a very progressive cat,” Gia said.

As everyone gathered around the table, Madigan thought about how Blaine was like Rufus. She knew he’d travel around the world to keep her safe, and she hoped he would find a way to overcome his issues, because if she had things her way, Tobias would be in her life for a very long time.

Chapter Twenty