The Detective and Her Bachelor

Chapter 37

"Fine," I said fighting a smile, pushing down my fear. "We'll try it the positive way. But when everything bursts into flames I get to say I told you so." I took his hand again and bravely stomped up the stairs.

Andrew laughed, stumbling up the steps behind me, his hand still in mine. "Deal."

Before I could open the door, Allie threw it open, face serious, long black hair in a messy bun, her face dusted in streaks of flour, blood red painted lips pursed in frustration "Finally! I've been stuck with a gazillion camera lights in here, a bunch of staring camera piranhas and an awkward silence that makes me want to die! Tate has run out of jokes! And that never happens! Now get inside so we can get this over with!" Allie said stomping back inside without a glance at Andrew.

"Um... Allie?" Tate shouted from inside the house.

"Oh... right..." Allie appeared back in the doorway and glanced at Andrew with an unreadable expression. "Sorry. Hi. You must be Ace... Come in." Then she disappeared back through the door, heels clacking loudly behind her as she departed.

Andrew raised a brow at me and I grinned back, elbowing him in the side. "Come on Mr. Positive Coffee Guy. Time to meet the family."

The house was full of noise. A strange sound that hadn't been apart of the home in years. For a moment I felt like I had been transported back in time. Back to when Mom's laughter filled the kitchen as she tried to teach Allie how to bake without burning down the house, when dad had tried to keep me from breaking everything in the living room as he taught me how to fight, all while little Misty watched everything with her inquisitive, large eyes from our worn down couch.

I shook away the ghosts of the past and found that the laughter belonged to Tate staring at Allie with a bewildered expression. Misty stood next to him, fighting back a smile. The sight of Misty made my heart squeeze. I had missed her so much since I'd been gone.

"Allie! What kind of greeting is that!?!" Tate exclaimed. 

"A normal Allie greeting," she replied walking into the kitchen without glancing back. "No sense in lying about how I am," she added before adjusting a skillet that sat along the stovetop.

Tate watched her for a moment, eyes glistening with amusement before he turned to look at Andrew, smiling. "You'll get used to her. She's a softie once she gets to know y—"

"Watch what you say or you'll get ZERO of this meal," Allie warned, waving a spatula like a weapon.

Tate looked suddenly serious, like her threat was terrifying. "Okay. No more talking about how wonderful you are." Then he turned back to Andrew. "Hi! I'm Tate. You must be Ace! Nice to meet you!"

Andrew smiled back holding out his hand. Tate pulled him into a large hug, startling Andrew. When Tate moved in to hug me, I jumped back. "Nope. We aren't there in our relationship, Tate."

"Delle's not the cuddly type," someone down the hall said. I turned and spotted Aiden standing in the shadows, doing his best to give the several cameramen who stood throughout the living room the worst possible angle on him. 

Aiden had a permanent scowl, sharp blue eyes that could strike you down with their icy glare, and midnight hair that made it easy to hide in the shadows. He was Tate's cousin, and the complete and total opposite to the sunshine boy that Allie was dating. He wore dark jeans, and a black muscle T, putting little effort into his outfit. While Tate wore a button down green shirt that matched his eyes, most likely at Allie's request. 

"And that's Aiden. He isn't very good with first impressions either," added twenty two year old Laliana, from where she sat on the couch, glancing at Aiden, her Fiancé, with a slight smile. She had long strawberry blond hair that seemed to be constantly tugged at nervously with her fingers. She sported a light blue dress, long grey boots and a pair of black tights, choosing comfort over style.