Free HANDLE WITH CARE (The Ludzecky Sisters Book 5) by Kathryn Shay Page B

divide our time between the house in Queens and our loft in New York. If
Matka
agrees.”
    Matka
glanced at Gerald and gave him a small smile. “Oh, yes, I agree.”
    Huh! Sofia wondered what that meant.
    Rafe looked to another sister. “I didn’t mean to steal your thunder, Magdalena, because you two got engaged, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”
    “Are you kidding?” Magdalena threw her chair back, circled the table and hugged the couple. Then everybody did, except Luke, who sat silentlyby his seven-months-pregnant wife.
    Matka
said, “Lukasz?”
    At her question, people turned to him. “What’s wrong, big brother?” Elizabeita teased. “You mad because he didn’t ask your permission?”
    “Adam didn’t,” Paulie added.
    “You should have, both of you, and you, Jared, should have consulted me before you two got remarried.”
    Matka
said, “There is still time for Logan.”
    Magdalenacleared her throat. “No, not for us. Logan and I got married last weekend.”
    o0o
    The grilled steaks were tender and juicy, alongside baked potatoes that flaked at a touch, and the corn on the cob had been perfectly cooked. Max was proud of his part of the Mother’s Day meal. Ronny had made a salad and Deeks brought dessert. Jesse provided wine. All was right with the world whenhe saw his mother ooh and ah over the food.
    Almost. He checked his watch. Sofia would be here in ten minutes. She’d texted him. All he’d said to his brothers was “Sofia’s coming for dessert. Try to behave yourselves.” He didn’t ask for them to…change. They could just be careful, for once in their lives. Nobody balked, though they all played innocent to what might be the problem.
    “So, when’sthe girl getting here?” Deeks asked, as if reading his mind.
    “Soon.”
    Jess, the more sedate brother asked, “Is it, like, serious between you two?”
    “No, we haven’t been dating that long. But I like her a lot.”
    “Why?” Deeks asked.
    “She’s sweet and loving and kind.”
    “So totally not your usual squeeze.”
    You have to stop those sexist remarks. If you use one in front of mysisters, you’re dead meat.
He’d have to remember to tease her with that one.
    Finally, the doorbell rang. Max popped up and heard, “Yeah, sure, it’s not serious. He’s actin’ like a kid.”
    “Can it,” Max said and hurried to the foyer. When he opened the door, he sighed. “Hey, pretty lady.” And she
was
pretty today. Her hair hung down to her rib cage, but today, the ends had been curled. Shewore a simple navy-blue skirt with a sparkly top and flat black shoes.
    “Hi.” She held flowers. “These are for your mother.”
    “How sweet.” Stepping back, he let her inside, closed the door and kissed her raisin-colored lips. “Hmm.”
    Her hand had gone around his neck. “Yeah, hmm.”
    “I hope today goes well.”
    “Don’t worry, Max. It will. I’m glad to be here.”
    Preceding her intothe dining room, he stopped short. Where…what the hell? Only his mother and father, aunt and uncle were around the table. Where were the guys? And what were they up to? Clearing his throat, he tried to sound normal when he said, “Sofia Ludzecky, meet my mother, Lil, and my father, Bob.” He introduced his aunt and uncle.
    Both men stood and shook her hand. “Good to have you,” his dad said.

    Lil gave her a grateful look when Sofia handed her the bouquet. “Thank you, Sofia.” She nodded to a chair. “We’ve saved a seat next to Max for you.”
    Up until right now, Max had believed things would go well today. His brothers might be a little rough, but he believed they’d pull through for him. Now, at their absence, he was sweating it.
    “Where are the guys?”
    “We don’t exactly know.”His mother still seemed calm. “As soon as the bell rang, they disappeared.”
    He and Sofia exchanged a look, and she touched his arm lightly.
    “I…” He halted, though, when the three of them came back in. Goddamn it, what the hell