“What are we celebrating today that we moved the Spencer Weekly a day early?”
Mom put the casserole dish in the middle of the table, but there were many more pans on the stove, not to mention the smell of homemade bread. “Let’s all sit down first.”
We all took our usual places, which was when I noticed Adam’s girlfriend, Victoria, was in the room.
“Hey, Vicky, I didn’t see you there. Been ninja training in your spare time?” I waved at her, ignoring her annoyed expression as she sat next to Adam.
Lex bumped his knee against mine. It was his way of telling me to shut up.
“Why the expensive china?” I whispered to Lex.
“No clue. Big wedding booking at the restaurant?”
I doubted it was that. Since Adam’s best friend, River, had taken over managing the restaurant for Dad, they’d had a few large weddings, and it wasn’t a big deal.
“Maybe Adam knocked Vicky up.”
“You have to stop calling her that. She doesn’t like it.”
I rolled my eyes. Victoria wasn’t my favorite of all the girlfriends Adam had brought home. She seemed cold and distant, a trait that wouldn’t work well in our family.
Everyone was up in everyone’s business all the time. My parents had run a restaurant together all their adult lives. My grandma lived with them, and my brothers and I ran a PR and advertising agency together.
Victoria didn’t fit in, but it seemed she was here to stay from the way Adam put a protective arm over the back of her chair.
The doorbell rang, so as the ever-dutiful older son, I stood to get it.
River stood on the other side with a couple of champagne bottles.
“Tell me why I had to raid the restaurant’s stock supply and rush here, leaving my assistant manager on her own on a busy Saturday.”
“Beats me, but if you’re here, it has to be important. Likefamilyimportant.” Because River wasn’t just Adam’s best friend and Dad’s restaurant manager. He was family.
Lunch was delicious, as it always was. My mom learned how to cook from Avó, who learned from her mom when she still lived in Portugal as a young woman.
Throughout the meal, several knowing looks and smiles were exchanged between my parents, but nothing about what had brought us together.
I was about to demand it when my dad stood, grabbing one of the champagne bottles from the fridge.
Adam cleared his throat. “Mom, thank you for the amazing food. You might all be wondering why we’re here today.” He looked at Victoria, who beamed.
The rest of us shared confused looks, apart from my mom, who fidgeted in her seat, wearing a beaming smile.
“As you know, Victoria and I have been together for almost a year. It may seem too soon, but when you’ve met the person you’re meant to be with for the rest of your life, you want that life to start immediately.” He looked around the table at all of us.
Lex narrowed his eyes, and River stiffened on my other side.
“This morning, I asked Victoria to marry me, and she said yes.”
“Isn’t this the most excellent news?” Mom stood to hug Adam and Victoria.
While Dad and Avó followed with their questions about the big day, the tension radiating from Lex and River was so palpable I felt like a squished pancake.
Lex stood and hugged Adam. “I’m so happy for you, Adam. I really am.”
Adam searched Lex’s face for answers but seemed happy with what he saw.
“I’m so sorry, but I have to go back to the restaurant,” River said, standing. “I’ve just gotten a message that we’re at capacity, and they need all hands on deck.”
