“Great turnout tonight, John.” His father nudges me and says, “Not theballetkind of turnout!” He chortles at his own joke.
I laugh politely. That was actually pretty clever. I take John’s hand again. It’s not sweaty exactly. A little clammy, though.
“Are your parents here, Olivia?” his mother asks.
“No. We’re staying at their house. They wanted to come, but they just got a new puppy, and they can’t leave him alone for very long, or he’ll chew everything up and pee on everything, apparently.”
“Ah,” his father says. “Shame they couldn’t be here.”
I don’t like his tone.
“I think the photographers are waiting for us over there,” his mother points out.
“Right. Let’s get to it,” John says. “I am happy with the turnout, yes.”
“There are a few people we’re dying to meet,” his father says. “Did you seat us with the Forsters?”
“Of course. I asked Iris to arrange that. Just let me, uh, let me know who you want me to introduce you to, and I’ll…”
I think, for the first time ever, the unflappable John Brandt is flapped. I’m not sure why he’s nervous. Is it because he’s introducing me to his parents? Is it because he’s introducing his parents to me? Is he worried I’ll flash my boobs at them?
We pose for pictures on the small red carpet, in front of a divider with the Encompass Foundation logo and the logos of various Cleveland businesses and schools that are partnering with John tonight.
Calvin and Sofia Brandt are all too proud to announce to the photographers that they’re John’s parents. I understand why John isn’t mad at them. They are perfectly nice people, and they probably aren’t even aware that they neglected him. Look how great he turned out—not the ballet kind of turnout—they must have done a great job parenting him. Only…it wasmyparents who raised him.
When we are done posing for pictures and John’s parents are listing off the VIPs they want to be introduced to, I notice my dear old brother and a very pretty lady watching John and me from afar. I know immediately that Nathan has been observing us, because he has a thoughtful look on his face and he is nodding to himself. He finally realizes I’m looking right at him and waves. I excuse myself from the Brandts and meet Nathan and his girlfriend halfway.
“Hi!” I reach my hand out to Katie. She’s wearing a perfect little black dress and has a dusting of freckles around her nose, tamed wavy hair, and what looks like a permanent wry smile and a knowing look. I can just tell she’s got my brother whipped in the best possible way, and I already want to be related to her. “You must be Katie. I’m Olivia.”
She pulls me in for a hug. “Wow, you’re even more gorgeous in person. I’ve been dying to meet you. I love your shoes.”
“I love your nail polish.”
“Oh my God, that bracelet is so pretty.”
“Johnny gave it to me in New York. Isn’t it so pretty?”
She gasps. “It’ssopretty. You are, literally, the prettiest person I’ve ever met. I can’t stand it.”
“Stop it—you are gorgeous, and I can’t believe you like my brother.”
“Yeah. I’m here too. Hi, asshole.” Nathan waves his hand in front of my face.
“Yes, hello.” I hug my brother. “Hi, asshat.”
“So, you and Johnny look pretty good together, huh?” He wraps his arm around Katie’s waist as he says this.
I shrug my shoulders. “Do we?”
“You are such a beautiful couple. You should see the way he looks at you.” She touches her hand to her heart. “It’s like how Ryan Gosling looked at Rachel McAdams inThe Notebook.”
“I was just thinking that,” my brother says.
“You were not,” I say. “Shut up.”
“Youshut up. We watched it in the hotel room last night.”
I clutch my head with both hands. “Who even are you?”
