Her gaze drops to my shoes. “At least you had the good sense to wear your loafers.”
It’s only because I didn’t want to spend money on new shoes. Choices don’t come without consequences, and my clothing budget is one of them.
“There’s Melinda and Barnard. I must say hello.” With those words she’s gone, fluttering like a butterfly in its natural habitat.
My brother spots me from the veranda. He flashes a smile and gestures to his wife’s burgeoning belly, then gives me an enthusiastic thumbs up. I’m glad he’s here, playing the role of the doting husband and soon-to-be father. I hope for their sake it’s real. The last thing I want is for the world to get another generation of my parents—miserable together but sticking it out for the sake of appearances. Pretending all day, every day, to be someone and something you’re not is exhausting.
I’m all through with those games. The ones I played at camp were far more enjoyable.
As I cut across the lawn toward the veranda, my sister Elizabeth swoops in from the side. She hooks her arm through mine and matches my pace. “Hey, big brother. I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”
“You found me.”
She casts a sidelong glance, assessing me. “Since when do you arrive fashionably late?”
“Since I decided to march to the beat of my own drum.”
She pats my arm. “Good for you.”
“Where’s Bruno?”
“Not coming. We broke up.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. He was an ass. I considered holding on to him until after the party to keep Mom and Dad off my back, but then I won another championship, so I figure that’ll be enough to carry me through this event until the next one.”
I hate that she has to think strategically like that in order to avoid our parents’ displeasure. I hate that I did too.
We reach Michael and Kayla, who are regaling the other guests with tales of their prenatal classes. I recognize one of them—my parents’ neighbor, Mr. Klein.
“I bet she didn’t realize she was dealing with a world-class surgeon when she said that,” I hear Mr. Klein say.
“Not to worry,” Kayla replies. “Michael was quick to tell her.” Despite her cheerful smile, her words have bite.
Michael gives me a brotherly half hug and musses Elizabeth’s hair. She swats his hand away. “Stop! Do you have any idea how long this blowout took?”
“How are you feeling?” I greet Kayla with a kiss on the cheek.
“Like a gorilla in the desert.”
I laugh. “That’s very specific.”
Kayla looks at me, hesitant.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
She smiles. “Nothing. It’s just that we’ve been here an hour, and you’re the first person to ask me how I’m feeling.”
“You’re walking for two. It can’t be easy, especially in the summer heat, but you look amazing. Apparently, that whole glowing thing isn’t bullshit after all.”
Her smile widens. “Thank you, Charlie. I appreciate that.”
Michael curls a possessive arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Are you flirting with my wife?”
Kayla smacks his chest. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s being an absolute gentleman.”
“Won’t last long,” Michael says. “As soon as he makes partner, whoosh! It’ll go straight to his head.”
