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.

Jacob muttered, slapping a hand to his forehead.

be serious right now," Bianca said, glaring at him. "Robin told

three times! What the fuck is wrong

round of bickering. “Can someone please explain what party we're talking about? Because I

went to America, while I was in America, and right before I boarded

Bianca said, staring at him

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

I asked,

said with a

"Fine, it's not your fault. But now

said, groaning. "I didn't bring anything remotely fancy, and I have no idea how I'm supposed to pull

his phone. "First,

"A friend."

to help?" Bianca asked, giving Jacob a skeptical

a grin as he dialed, putting

voice answered-high-pitched and unmistakably flamboyant, though layered with background noise:

darling," the man

Hold on-side parting More hairspray, you lazy cow!

love, what

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

my girl looks incredible. Please tell

me a picture, sweetie, and I'll handle everything. I'll be there tomorrow with

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

Kiss-kiss!" Eliot hung up,

said, leaning back smugly. "Problem

"Great. Now, if I may ask, what are you wearing, Bee? And please

came straight from a meeting! What

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