The Best of Us (Sullivan's Crossing #4)(87)

“I’m not sure,” he said. “Sean worked today and he asked me if I was taking you out tonight and I said I hoped so. He said to bring you to the house at about six thirty. He said he had something to show you but it’s a surprise. So, act surprised. Then I’ll get you something to eat.”

“Okay,” she said. “Where’s Finn?”

“He was supposed to be spending the day getting all the stuff he’s moving to Boulder ready, but if I know Finn, he was probably at Maia’s most of the day.”

When they walked in, the action in the kitchen was immediately obvious. Good smells, a lot of chatter and laughter and some background music from an iPod gave them away. Sean and Finn were wearing white T-shirts with black bow ties while Maia stood at the counter preparing something. She wore an apron and chef’s hat and a big grin. She saw them first and poked Finn, who poked Sean.

“Madame and Monsieur, dinner is served on the patio,” Sean said with a short bow. “Right this way.”

Leigh and Rob followed to find the patio decorated with little twinkling lights, a beautifully appointed round table with candles and flowers that appeared to be exactly like those in the neighbor’s yard. There was also an easel supporting large cards. On their plates were printed menus. Champagne flutes stood beside water glasses.

Rob held a chair for Leigh. “I should have dressed up,” she said.

“Me, too,” Rob said. “This is crazy.”

Leigh picked up her menu. “Wow, do they know how to make this?” she asked, reading through it. “Chicken cordon bleu, Caesar salad, garlic asparagus, seasoned fettuccini in butter sauce. Wow.”

“I can assure you, I’ve never gotten a dinner like this. I was under the impression they couldn’t eat unless I put something on the table for them.”

“This could change everything,” Leigh said.

Next came Finn, towel over his arm, presenting a bottle of nonalcoholic sparkling cider. When Rob nodded his approval, Finn poured it into the flutes. And then the boys, comical in their T-shirts and bow ties, stood on either side of the easel. Finn took off the top poster; the next one, in bold black letters, said:

Welcome to Casa Shandon.

Leigh couldn’t help it; she had to cover her mouth so she wouldn’t laugh out loud.

We pick up after ourselves and keep our bathroom pretty clean.

Then Sean pulled away the card to reveal the next one.

I will do better. Love, Sean.

She smiled at him and reached for Rob’s hand.

And I’ll be at school, doing my own laundry. Love, Finn.

They were so stoic, taking turns pulling the cards, standing on either side of the easel, wearing their serious faces.

We know how to be quiet.

No. Really.

We’re incredibly helpful.

And funny.

I can burp quietly. Love, Sean.

We know how to stop being annoying.

Seriously, you’ll find us adorable in no time.

We like babies. Mostly.

We can help with everything except poop.

We’re even willing to learn that. Please go slow.

We promise to get excellent grades.

I will stop watching internet porn. Kidding. Love, Sean.

I will never call from school after ten.

I can detail your car every month. Love, Sean.

We will do everything we can to be less expensive.

We got the message our dad loves you.

Because he’s very smart and aims high.

It’s not a big house, but there’s room.

(You’re not that big.)

Aunt Helen will like us a lot.

Will you please marry our dad?

Because otherwise he’ll be pathetic.

Say yes and we will give you dinner.

It’s an excellent dinner. Maia made it.

Leigh had tears in her eyes. She leaned toward Rob and whispered, “Do they know we went to look at a house?”

He shook his head.

“And you didn’t know about this?” she asked.

He shook his head again. He put a hand against her jaw and lifted her chin. “You don’t have to give them an answer if you’re not ready. They’ll understand.”

“But I’m hungry,” she said with a sniff.

She looked at the boys, their eyes shining expectantly. She gave them a nod and they yelled, grabbing each other like teammates who had just scored a goal. Then they pulled one last card.

Yay!

She got up from the table and let herself be hugged by both of them. Then Rob joined in the group hug.

“I find you adorable,” Leigh said. “I don’t know how we’re going to do this.”

“As long as we do it,” Finn said. “We’re a family. We can’t change that.”

“We’ll take care of you,” Sean said.

“And I’ll take care of you,” she said. “Mostly. Please go slow.”

A couple of days later, Leigh went with Rob, Finn and Sean to check Finn into his dorm room. Dakota and Sid were also there since they lived in Boulder now. Plus what seemed like millions of students, just moving in. Some were moving in for the first time and some were returning and being reunited with friends.

Leigh had made Finn a box that was like a portable medicine chest—analgesics for headache, anti-inflammatories for strained muscles or toothaches, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea meds, bandages, Ace wraps, ice packs, cold medicine, cough medicine, anything that might send a young man to the clinic. “This is awesome,” he said. He put it under his bed.