Veronica barely had the front door cracked when her mother’s voice rang out from the back of the house, bright and already in full swing.

  “Veronica Rachel, did you manage to kidnap Shoshana and her boyfriend?”

  “Mom!” Veronica groaned, shoving the door wider. “I told you—he’s not—”

  “He’s a boy and you want him to be your friend. That’s literally the definition of boyfriend,” her mom called back, footsteps already approaching.

  She appeared in the hallway wearing an apron dusted with flour and a grin sharp enough to cut challah.

  “Don’t blame me for being curious. You’ve been talking about this young man nonstop for weeks.”

  Then her gaze landed on Thomas and softened instantly.

  “Well, hello there, trouble.”

  Thomas gave a sheepish half-wave. “Ma’am. Guilty as charged.”

  Veronica’s mom laughed, delighted. “Shoshana, get over here first—no one should have to move away from this street.” She opened her arms.

  Shoshana walked straight into the hug like it was the most natural thing in the world. Veronica’s mom rocked her side to side, then held her at arm’s length.

  “You’re too skinny. We’re fixing that before you leave.”

  She turned back to Thomas, eyes twinkling.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “So. Tell me about yourself, Mr. Chaos Generator.”

  Thomas scratched the back of his neck, grinning. “My dad nicknamed me Trouble because his nickname was Double Trouble and I have a gift for helping in ways that accidentally blow everything up. I don’t know a stranger, I love learning, I barely survive school, and somehow your daughter and her best friend decided I’m worth keeping around. That’s the short version.”

  Veronica’s mom threw her head back and laughed so hard she had to wipe her eyes.

  “Oh, I like him. Veronica, you’ve been hiding treasure.”

  She pointed a floury finger at her daughter. “Next time your father claims he can’t ‘find’ Thomas, remind him Eric’s known exactly where he’s been for two weeks. I want him at Shabbat dinner when Dad’s home. Someone needs to sharpen that man’s nerdy wit.”

  Then, softer, to Shoshana: “And you—weekends, holidays, random Tuesdays, whatever you need. Call. These two can come fetch you. I’ve heard enough stories about Thomas to trust him behind the wheel.”

  She glanced between the three teenagers, eyes suspiciously damp.

  “Group hug. I’m requiring it.”

  Veronica rolled her eyes so hard it was audible, but she was already moving. Shoshana laughed and tugged Thomas in by the sleeve.

  Thirty seconds later they were all squished in the hallway—Veronica’s mom in the middle, arms around Shoshana and Thomas, Veronica dramatically pretending to hate it while clinging to Thomas’s arm.

  When they finally broke apart, Veronica’s mom tapped Thomas’s cheek.

  “Welcome to the street, kid. Door’s always open. And if anyone gives you grief at school tomorrow about moving in with the Mendelsons, you tell them Mrs. Cohen already adopted you.”

  Thomas’s voice came out a little rough. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Veronica’s mom waved a hand. “None of that ma’am nonsense. It’s Aunt Leah now. Or just Leah. We’ll negotiate later.”

  She turned toward the kitchen. “Now march. I’ve got fresh rugelach and zero patience for teenagers who claim they’re ‘not hungry.’”

  Veronica whispered to Thomas as they trailed behind, “Told you she’d adopt you in under five minutes.”

  Thomas glanced back at the open door, the warm light spilling onto the porch, the sound of laughter already pulling them deeper into the house.

  “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I’m starting to believe this street adopts people whether they’re ready or not.”

  Shoshana slipped her hand into his and squeezed once.

  “Good,” she whispered. “Because we’re keeping you.”