?


    "Mom," Lena said with a helpless smile, "is the Grandpa''s birthday party or my personal matchmaking event?"


    "Why not both?" Carol replied, breezy as ever. It''s settled-keep an open mindter. My beautiful, talented daughter could snag a boyfriend in seconds."


    Lena sighed. "Fine, fine. You go y matchmaker. I''m gonna find Rea-she even brought Grandpa a gift."


    She used me as an escape route and plopped down beside me a momentter. I''d overheard the whole thing and couldn''t help but grin.


    "Your mom''s got guts. And honestly, she''s not wrong. Weren''t you the one who said the best way to get over someone is to move on with someone else?"


    "Alright, if I see someone I like, I''ll make a move immediately."


    Before she could finish, Aaron strolled into view.


    In a sleek ck suit with the top button of his shirt undone, he had this polished-but- effortless look that could rival a movie star. The dark fabric against his pale skin gave him an untouchable, almost mysterious vibe.


    "Your uncle''s kind of a heartthrob," I teased.


    Lena followed my gaze and shrugged. "He''s always been like that. Back in school, I was his unofficial mailbox for love letters."


    Well, duh. With that face? Total chick ma.


    "So, has he ever dated anyone?" I asked.


    Lena thought for a second. "Nope."


    "Then he''s probably hung up on someone he can''t let go of," I said.


    She gave me a ''where''s thising from? look but then smirked. "Oh, right. Because you''re such an expert on love."


    "Wow,ing in for the kill,” I shot back. "Do you even want my help tonight?”


    Before I could keep roasting her, Aaron started walking toward us. Lena instantly straightened up like she was about to meet the president.


    I snorted. "Seriously? You guys were like siblings growing up. Why are you acting like he''s your boss now?"


    She ignored me, so I leaned closer. "Lena, you sure there''s nothing weird between you two? Besides, you know... seeing each other naked that one time?"


    Her fingers mped down on my thigh in a pinch so sharp, I yelped.


    Aaron, arriving just in time, raised a brow. "What''s wrong?"


    "Nothing, Uncle Aaron," Lena said quickly, cutting me off before I could out her.


    Her flustered vibe was pricelesspletely unlike her usual cool,posed self. I bit back augh.


    Aaron''s gaze drifted to Lena''s wrist before he asked, "Where''s your boyfriend?"


    Ouch. Direct hit.


    "Why would he be here?" Lena replied, not missing a beat.


    Aaron gave her a long look, and just when I thought the exchange might get awkward, he simply replied, "Fair point."


    Before the tension could thicken, a cheery voice cut in. "Aaron!"


    A guy in a suit jacket and sneakers jogged over, looking like he''d juste from a casual Friday.


    Aaron nced at his watch. "Shaun, you''rete."


    "Something came up," Shaun said, brushing it off as his eyesnded on us. "And who are these two lovelydies?"


    "Hi, Shaun," Lena said, polite as ever.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Shaun squinted at her, like she was familiar but he couldn''t ce her. Then his eyes lit up. Wait-are you Aaron''s little darling?!"


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