Calliope had no idea what was going on with Archie. As soon as Mavis showed up, Calliope started chatting with her.


    Apparently, Mavis had originally made ns because of Uriah Stewart, so it was actually Uriah who''d bailed.


    Calliope wanted to ask what happened, but Mavis didn''t seem eager to talk about it, so she let it go. She knew there was someplicated history between Mavis and Uriah, but Uriah was just so uptight that things always ended up messier than they should be.


    She could guess, though: Uriah had probably wanted to invite Mavis, his protégé, to his family''s dinner or something like that. But then, worrying about appearances or whatever would raise eyebrows back home, he''d chickened out.


    Mavis had been really looking forward to it. When Uriah backed out, she was pretty crushed.


    Calliope tried to change the subject and cheer her up.


    Meanwhile, in the kitchen, her brothers and Ss were busy cooking. For a bunch of guys, they actually knew their way around the kitchen. It wasn''t long before the scent of roasting turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, and fresh-baked rolls started to drift out.


    "That smells amazing," Mavis couldn''t help but say, ncing toward the kitchen. "Your brothers and Mr. Myers really know how to cook," she added.


    Calliope grinned. "They''re actually pretty talented. Wait until you see the spread." The two of them peeked into the kitchen. The guys were totally focused, working together like they''d done this a million times before.


    "Wow, you all are incredible," Mavis said, genuinely impressed.


    Julius tossed a grin over his shoulder. "You like what you see? If there''s anything else you want, just holler."


    "With all this food and those amazing smells? I''m more than satisfied!" Mavisughed. "You guys are working so hard, and we''re just waiting around."


    Norton wiped his hands on a towel and smiled. "Hey,dies don''t need to worry about the kitchen tonight. Go rx. We''ll call you when dinner''s ready!"


    "Yeah, the


    twochen''s no ce for you


    on your skin. Go hang out," Sil called over. "We''ve got this."


    osa de smell of frying oil is r


    "Alright," Calliope said, giving in. "We''ll stay out of your way."


    Mavis steered Calliope back to the living room, leaving the guys to their cooking.


    After about half an hour, dinner was just about ready.


    Finally, Mavis and Calliope went to help set the table,ying out tes and silverware. When everything was ready, everyone gathered around the table.


    They''d made a real feast-roast turkey, honey-zed ham, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, and even a couple of Julius''s legendary apple pies. Every dish had been made with care, and it showed.


    Calliope looked at the table, feeling a in her chest. She didn''t


    warm


    get to much time with her


    brothers, so having everyone together like this felt really special.


    "Let''s dig in," Quentin said, smiling at Mavis. "Ms. Shepherd, help yourself! Hope this is all to your liking."


    "It looks delicious," Mavis replied, smiling back. "I hope I''m not crashing your family dinner."


    "Not at all!" Quentin said quickly.


    "The more, the merrier. It''s the holidays!" Norton grinned. "You''re Callie''s best


    friend. That makes you family. Make yourself at home!"


    "Yeah, don''t be shy. You''ve always looked out for Callie, and we appreciate it," the others chimed in.


    Mavis smiled at them, touched.


    Then Ss looked up, sharp-eyed. "So, did Uriah do something to upset you?"


    "Huh?" Mavis blinked in surprise, then quickly shook her head. "No, no, it''s nothing like that..."