Chapter 2They arrived with baked ziti, miniature rum cakes, and an oversized photo book about historic scenic drives across Europe, which Jason had been planning to give to his father as a random present at some point anyway. They came in through the back and the wide comfortable patio, because the gate was open; California palms and orange trees bobbed at them in dwindling light. Jason’s sister, the first person in hugging range, promptly pounced on the rum cakes, and observed, through a mouthful of caramelized sugar, “You two got here fast.”
“So did you.” Jason set everything else down on the closest kitchen counter; Colby, at his side and a step behind, offered Alessandra a smile. Allie threw both arms around her older brother, black curls bouncing, and murmured into Jason’s ear, “Ever
