I tense up once again. I know it’s an innocent question—Elise doesn’t have a malicious bone in her body—but I still hate being the focal point at these brunches, because I always know where the line of questioning is going to go. Kate and Lydia both look at me with amusement plain on their pretty faces.
As much as I’m used to this line of questioning from my mom to my grandma to every aunt and uncle we have, they still get a kick out of my being the only single Sinclair. Even if Lydia is only ever in short-term relationships that she consistently thinks are “the one.”
I slowly put my mug of coffee back on the table as I consider which response to go with today. Finally, I land on, “No, not right now. With my new job and everything, it doesn’t really seem like the time to be dating.”
Elise nods sympathetically, reaching out a gentle hand and patting the back of mine. “It will come along at the right time.”
Coming from anyone else, it might feel like a sarcastic jab, but from my sister-in-law, I know she truly believes it. She’s optimistic where I sometimes become a pessimist, and I always appreciate her for it. Especially in situations like right now, when I feel like the odd one out.
Kate tilts her head. “You have a new job?”
I bite back a sigh. The only flaw Kate has is her terriblememory—or more specifically, her terrible memory about other people’s lives. Evenmorespecifically, her memory about my life. I try to brush aside the sting it leaves in my chest.
“I told you about it the other week,” I remind her, used to this song and dance by now. “I started working as a food critic.”
The blank expression on her face is enough to tell me she has no memory of this at all, even though it hasn’t even been a whole seven days since I sent the “Wish me luck on my first day!” text in the family group chat. The message was only met with a heart reaction from my mom, a thumbs up from my dad and Charlie, and a “Good luck!” from Elise. It went otherwise, unsurprisingly, ignored.
“Never mind,” I say. By now, I know that no amount of reminding her will jog her memory, so I just give in immediately. “You must have been in the bathroom or something at the time.”
“So, how–” Charlie starts to ask, but he’s cut off by the sound of a spoon tapping against a glass. I almost can’t hold back an eye roll as I look to Kate, who is holding her cup out primly, as if she’s at a royal dinner or a wedding instead of a casual siblings’ brunch.
“Before we start catching up on everyone’s lives and whatnot,” she says dismissively as if our lives are all meaningless chatter, “I have something to say first.” Charlie takes it in stride, nodding at her even though it was a little rude of Kate to interrupt.
I turn my full attention to my youngest sister. That’s when I notice the extra glow on her and the taller posture. They both look so into each other, smiles wider than I’ve ever seen before. Kate shifts her left arm and I’m fully prepared to see the ring on her finger.
I’m not prepared for how large and sparkly the giant emerald cutstone is.
“We’re engaged!” she squeals.
“Holy crap!” I shout loud enough that two tables over both turn to look at us. Kate preens at the extra attention. I reach out to grab her left hand and examine the ring. Facets of light bounce off the stone as I twist her hand back and forth.
“Oh my gosh!” Elise claps. “Congratulations!”
“Oh, yeah. Congrats,” I add as an afterthought. I drop her hand so she can extend it to the others. “When did this happen?”
“Last night!” Kate squeals.
I watch Lydia out of the corner of my eye with extra concern as she politely reaches out and grabs Kate’s hand. She drops her hand after exactly two seconds and slumps back in her seat with a muttered “congratulations.” I’m sure Lydia is happy for her twin sister, but they’ve always had a very competitive nature, so I’m sure Kate being engaged first stings a little for her since she’s only been with her current boyfriend for about two months after a nasty break-up last year—especially since she thought that boyfriend wasthe one, justlike all the boys before him.
“Tell us the story!” Elise demands excitedly, clearly the only one at the table giving Kate the excitement she craves.
“Well . . .” Kate begins, shoving her hand toward Charlie and Elise. Charlie nods at her hand to signify that he’s seen it and will not be fawning over it. I zone out as she talks about dinner and a sunset and whatever grand speech Jason gave. My eyes keep catching on the sparkling stone like it’s a pocket watch hypnotizing me as it sways back and forth.
“So everyone mark your calendars,” Kate says. She puts a hand on Jason’s arm and I focus again without the shining rock in my line of sight. “We are thinking, August.”
“August?” I ask, my voice high-pitched and squeaky. I try toclear my throat so I sound less thrown. “That’s only four months away.”
Nope, my voice is still high and squeaky.
“Oh,” she continues, not even stopping to reply to me, “and get your passports immediately because we don’t want anyone forgetting until the last minute!”
“Passport?” Charlie asks suspiciously. “Where is this wedding going to be?”
“Hopefully somewhere all-inclusive,” I mutter, taking a sip of my drink. If I’m going to be buying a plane ticket, I hope I can at least count on food and drink packages and a poolside room.
“Italy!” Kate shrieks.
And then I proceed to choke on my mimosa.
