“He’ll pick one of our friends. You’ll have fun,” he says.
We watch each other a few seconds, until I finally say what’s been on my mind. “I realized tonight I’ve really missed hanging out here…with you and Charlie and Olivia.”
He gives me a look I haven’t seen before, part smile, part smirk. “We’ve missed you, too.”
And for the first time since all of this started, I’m really glad I’m here.
I can’t get to theboard in the kitchen fast enough. No matter how hard I begged Charlie yesterday, he wouldn’t give me the slightest hint as to who I was going out with or where we were going.
“You’re going to have so much fun at that party,” Nonna says. She’s pulling a tray of cinnamon rolls out of the oven. The room smells delicious. And I laugh when I read the words on her apron:I put the Pro in Prosecco!
“You know where we’re going?” I ask, then pull out a knife so I can help her put on the icing.
“Yes, it’s at the Browns’ just around the corner. Their first party was about five years ago and now it’s a tradition in this neighborhood. Amy gives prizes for the ugliest sweater and there are lots of other games. Her sons, Alex and Brandon, go to the same high school as your cousins, so there’ll be plenty of kids there your age.”
Nonna moves the iced rolls to a platter, and just like clockwork, family starts pouring in from the back door.
“I know some of the family usually drops in for breakfast, but are there always this many?” I whisper to Nonna.
She cocks her head. “It’s the holidays. Plus everyone is just so excited you’re here.”
My forehead scrunches up. “They aren’t here to see me.”
Nonna gives me a soft smile. “Well, of course they are. This is a real treat to have you here, all to ourselves.”
Aunt Lisa puts her arm around me and gives me a kiss on my forehead. “?’Morning, Sophie. I hear last night’s date was interesting.”
I grimace. “I’m not sureinterestingis the right word for it.”
Uncle Sal and his group take up almost the whole table. Not only is he the oldest sibling, he and Aunt Camille have the most kids, with five. They also have the most animals, since Aunt Camille has never met a stray she didn’t adopt. Charlie pops in a few minutes later with Sara right on his heels. They pull up extra chairs and wedge themselves in the few open spaces at the table.
I throw a couple of cinnamon rolls on a plate and drag one of the stools closer to the table. “So where am I going to find an ugly sweater for the party tonight?” I ask Charlie.
“Make one. And seriously, the uglier the better. I’ve got a side bet with Olivia that my date’s going to be better than hers.”
Sara nudges him in the side. “I’ll get in on that bet. I’ve got tomorrow and Iknowmy date’s going to make your date look like Aunt Patrice planned it.”
I let out a groan. “I guess everyone knows about last night?”
“Yeah, we all got the picture, too. How old was he? Twelve?” Uncle Sal asks.
I shoot daggers at Charlie. “I guess you sent that picture to everyone?”
He holds his hands up in front of him. “I couldn’t help it! Once I started I couldn’t stop.”
“Is there no privacy in this family?”
Everyone at the table answers, “No.”
Charlie turns to his sister. “Why do you think your date is going to be better than mine? You’re fifteen. What do you know about dating?”
“I’m good just as long as there are no farm animals,” I say. “Or babies.”
Sara gives us a smug smile. “You’ll see. It’s going to be awesome.”
Aunt Patrice, Uncle Ronnie, and the boys burst through the back door, Patrice’s eyes searching the room for me.
Once she finds me, she barrels through the crowd.
