Page 66 of Unbound

Aunt DeeDee

IF I HAVE TO SUFFER, WE ALL HAVE TO SUFFER.

Tucker

I’m pretty sure that’s not a rule.

Aunt DeeDee

It is if you don’t want me feeding your daughter full of cabbage and sending her home.

Tucker

Wow. You’re mean today.

Walker

You’d be mean too if Constance was gonna be staying with you for a week.

Titus

Speaking of houseguests… Mariah mentioned she and Ruth found Sybil going through some boxes in your basement. Just thought you should know.

Walker

I know.

Aunt DeeDee

Mind your own business. Walker’s a grown man.

Tucker

Who even are you today?

Aunt DeeDee

Your worst nightmare if you all don’t show up on time tomorrow.

Love you!

21

Walker

“Ireally don’t understand why this is a requirement for me.” Sybil’s voice carries down from the second floor. “I’m pretty sure your Auntie Constance won’t give two shits about my presence at this thing.”

I finish pouring the coffee from the carafe into our to-go cups. “You’re absolutely right. But my Aunt DeeDee will give all the shits about your presence.” I screw on both lids, picking up the cups as I turn to where Sybil is just reaching the main floor.

And come too fucking close to dropping both beverages at her feet.

“Holy shit.” The words fall right out of my mouth. There’s no censoring them. No smothering out my reaction. “What in the hell are you wearing?” It’s the dumbest question I’ve ever asked. What she’s wearing is pretty fucking obvious.

It’s the hottest dress I’ve ever seen in my fucking life.

“That isn’t really the reaction I was hoping for.” Sybil looks down, attempting to adjust the neckline to cover more of the swelling cleavage I can’t seem to look away from. “The other dress I ordered doesn’t fit at all, so this is my only option.”

As soon as I got the text from my aunt yesterday, I passed the information along to Sybil who attempted to get out of this morning’s event by displaying her suitcase full of casual clothes. The fanciest thing she has is what she wore to her interview with Trevor, and while black slacks and a frilly shirt were perfect for that, Constance will look right down her nose at it. So I gave Sybil my credit card and told her to order whatever she wanted from a local department store and have it delivered.