CH.55

I was deep in conversation with my mom and Rosie, who had arrived earlier than expected, when Robert stumbled into the living room shirtless, as was his usual custom after waking up from a nap.

He stretched lazily, letting out a jaw-cracking yawn.

"Oh man, I'm so freakin' tired," he mumbled in his morning voice, not seeming to notice me at first.

I cleared my throat loudly. "I'm here, you goof. Didn't you miss your favorite sister while I was gone?" I couldn't resist teasing.

Robert's eyes finally landed on me, his face splitting into a broad grin. "Lavi! Oh my god, the whole place has been dull as hell without you around," he exclaimed, crossing the room in a couple of long strides to envelop me in a big bear hug, his bare chest warm against my cheek.

"I missed you too, you big lug," I laughed, hugging him back tightly before we separated.

Time seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye as we all caught up, swapping stories and reliving old memories until my stomach literally sta