“Papa!”
He lifts her into his arms and rubs their noses together. “Ellis, girl. I’ve missed you. Did you grow?”
“I don’t think so,” my daughter replies, but my father glances over at me.
I shrug. “I still can’t believe she’s five.”
He nods. “Oh, I remember vividly how fast it goes.” Turning his attention back to Ellis, he says, “Are you done with your game of Candy Land?”
Ellis nods. “Yup. And I won!”
Joanne comes up to us. “She did. Beat me good.”
My dad bops Ellis on the nose. “Nice. Well, do you want to come with me and help me in my office? I have some papers that I need organized.”
“Yes! I love orgamazation!”
“It’s or-gan-i-za-tion.” My dad’s attempt to correct her is feeble as he walks off and she keeps saying the word incorrectly.
Everyone starts moving over to the bigger table, conversation reforming in pieces. I let myself breathe again, watching Ellis disappear with my dad. She’s safe.
“Do you want me to stay?” Joanne asks me before I take my seat at the table.
I place my hand on her shoulder. “No, I think we’ll be good. My dad will keep her preoccupied, and when I’m done with the wedding shit, I’m gonna take Ellis to the playground.”
Joanne nods, hoisting her purse up higher on her shoulder. “Sounds good. See you at home.”
She heads for the exit, and I turn back to the table, where my sister is addressing everyone.
“All right, we need to talk about a few things since the wedding is only two months away,” Laney says as I take a seat beside Fletcher. He, Laney, and Dilynne are all on the same side as me, and Henley, Elodie, and Elliot are facing us.
“The most pressing events coming up are the bachelor and bachelorette parties. And before anyone gets any ideas, there will be no strip clubs or exotic dancers in any capacity.” Laney looks pointedly at Dilynne and then me. “Do you hear me, you two?”
I hold my hand up. “Heard and understood. Trust me, there are far better things for us to do in Charlotte than watch women take their clothes off.”
Fletcher holds a finger up. “I whole-heartedly agree.”
Elliot scoffs. “Speak for yourself.”
Dilynne clears her throat. “I have to agree with Elliot on this one. I would very much like to watch an incredibly ripped man thrust his junk in my face. That sounds like an amazing night.”
Henley’s eyes bounce between Dilynne and Elliot. “Everyone go look outside. I think pigs are flying because Elliot and Dilynne just agreed on something.”
Elodie giggles while Dilynne rolls her eyes. “It’s not that big of a deal. I’m just saying, my best friend is only getting married once and not letting me provide her with visually stimulating entertainment is bullshit.”
Laney pats Dilynne on her shoulder. “You’ll just have to think of something else that will be appealing to my eyes. Because the only man I ever want stripping for me is Fletcher.”
Fletcher yanks her toward him and lines his lips up to her ear to whisper something, and unfortunately for me, I’m able to hear it. “If that’s something you want, I can definitely make that happen, angel.”
“Her brother is sitting right here!” I bark out.
He turns to face me. “Then plug your ears.”
Laney rolls her eyes before whispering something back to Fletcher. Whatever it is earns a low growl from him.
Jesus Christ.
“Can we please move this conversation on to something else?”
