My Dad's Bestfriend

Evelyn

After what felt like an hour of relentless bickering and a barely controlled wrestling match, Jacob and Bianca finally collapsed onto the couch. Both were panting, disheveled, and bruised-though we all knew Jacob had gone easy on her. Let's be real: one solid punch from him could probably send ten Evelyns and ten Biancas straight to heaven.

"Are you two done now?" I asked, trying-and failing-not to laugh. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined I'd witness two grown adults behaving like this.

"Yeah," they grumbled in unison, their synchronized reply only making my lips twitch with amusement.

"Great," I said, standing up. "Once you two finish catching your breath, we're setting the table together. I'm starving, and I'm sure you are too."

Jacob, of course, couldn't help himself. "Well, I doubt we can eat if Bianca cooked."

Bianca's head snapped up like she'd been personally insulted by the gods. "Excuse me, you absolute piece of shit in the name of human! If you don't want to eat what I cooked, you can kindly get the hell out of my house."

"This isn't your house. Dad paid half," Jacob shot back with a smug grin, knowing exactly how to push her buttons.

"You fucking="

"Enough!" I cut in, throwing my hands up before another round of chaos erupted.

"I am hungry, and watching you two fight is not helping my appetite."

"It's Jacob's fault, Evie," Bianca whined, ever the queen of deflection.

"No way! It's all on Bee," Jacob fired back, pointing a finger at her like an overgrown child.

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I don't care whose fault it is. I just care about food. Now, get up and help me set the table before I lose my mind."

Still chuckling under my breath, I headed toward the dining room. Behind me, the two squabbling siblings begrudgingly followed, their bickering trailing after me like an annoying-but oddly endearing-background track.

***

As we ate, Bianca turned to me. “So, Evie, what are you wearing to the party tomorrow?"

baffled. "Party?

hand to his

right now," Bianca said, glaring at him. "Robin

least three times! What the fuck is wrong with

could launch into another round of bickering. “Can someone please explain what party we're talking about? Because I am

Robin's party," Jacob explained. "Dad's friend. He's throwing a celebration for some big business win. He told me about it before I went to America, while I was in America, and right before I boarded the plane back to Italy."

Bianca said, staring at him

was stressed, then busy, and then...well, too happy

asked, raising an

he said with a

her eyes. "Fine, it's not your fault.

bring anything remotely fancy, and I have no idea how I'm supposed to

Jacob pulled out his phone. "First, I'm calling Eliot." "Who's

"A friend."

how's this friend supposed to help?" Bianca asked, giving Jacob

Jacob said with a grin as he dialed,

before a voice answered-high-pitched and unmistakably flamboyant, though layered with background noise: chatter, commands, and

the

Hold on-side parting More hairspray, you

love, what do you

favor. We've got a party tomorrow

my girl looks

teased. "Lucky her. Send me a picture, sweetie, and I'll handle everything. I'll be

Jacob said, grinning. "I'll text you

Eliot hung up, leaving the room in

said, leaning back

Now, if I may ask, what are you wearing, Bee? And please don't show up in another suit like

straight from a meeting! What did you

said, "Anyways, we gotta go. I am really tired and need some sleep." Then, without warning, he stretched and shipped his hand under the table,