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?

slapping a hand to

said, glaring at him.

three times! What the fuck is

launch into another round of bickering. “Can someone

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

said, staring

"I was stressed, then busy, and then...well, too happy to care

asked, raising an

said with a shrug. "I

it's not your fault. But now what? The party's tomorrow

no idea how I'm supposed to pull this off. So, Mr. Jacob,

"First,

"A friend."

friend supposed to help?" Bianca

said with a grin as he dialed, putting the call on

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

darling," the man

Hold on-side parting More hairspray, you lazy cow! She's on the

love, what do

chuckled. "Ellie, I need a huge favor. We've got a party

make sure my girl looks

picture, sweetie, and I'll handle everything. I'll

best," Jacob said, grinning. "I'll

Kiss-kiss!" Eliot hung up, leaving the room in

said, leaning back smugly. "Problem

are you wearing, Bee? And please don't show up in another suit like

straight from a meeting! What did you

dress," Jacob 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, grabbing