“She is, but she’s still on her learner’s permit, so I’m her designated adult.”
“Hardly.” I snort. “You’re like a giant toddler.” I slide open the screen door and peer out into the backyard. “Elsie! Time to go!”
“She’s probably in the treehouse,” Gracie says, her bottom lip trapped between her teeth as she stares intently at her game.
Sure enough, seconds later, my youngest sister descends the rope ladder with an old, familiar bear-shaped jar tucked under her arm. On her wrist is the bracelet that was missing from my jewelry box.
I hold out my hand palm up. “Give it here.”
She rolls her eyes dramatically and slaps the friendship bracelet I made with my best friend into the palm of my hand. “You promised you’d teach me how to make one,” she says, twirling the end of her long blonde braid.
“Tomorrow, okay? We have to go to Gigi and Pops anniversary party.”
Her shoulders slump, and she frowns.
I pull her in for a side hug and hold up my free hand between us. “I promise.”
A gap-toothed smile spreads across her face as she locks her pinky finger around mine.
Uncle Jaxon tosses me the keys to his ancient powder blue Chevy. “Let’s go. I’m starving.”
“There’s no way I’m driving that thing.”
“Reba is perfectly safe.”
I toss his keys right back and pull my own out of my pocket. “We’re taking Maren.”
Hayes parties used to be a lot less chaotic when I was little. Now, there are a million kids scattered around the backyard while Aiden and I are forced to set the table. Jessie and Juniper are lying in the grass, staring up at the clouds. Aiden’s younger brother, Finn, is chasing the twins, Annie and Alice, around with a Nerf gun while my sisters sit on opposite sides of the deck, giving each other the silent treatment over who got to feed Poppy today.
There’s a huge photo from Gigi and Pop’s wedding on a stand near the end of the deck with a hand-painted banner that says ‘Happy 50th Anniversary’ and two giant displays of flowers from Gigi’s greenhouse on either side. Mom wanted to plan a huge celebration with tons of guests, but they just wanted their kids and grandkids over for family dinner.
The smell of BBQ wafts out of the grill as my dad flips the burgers. Uncle Griffin arrives carrying the huge cooler that’s usually filled with drinks, and Auntie Lina follows close behind with two bottles of champagne.
She stops by the table and sets them down in the center. “Hey Em,” she says, pulling me in for a side hug. “Did you get the job?”
My shoulders slump. “No. They want someone with experience, but like… how are you supposed to have experience if nobody will give you a job in the first place?”
“Why don’t you come work for me at the clinic? Marnie’s going on maternity leave soon anyway, and I could use someone to answer the phone and schedule appointments.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.”
I practically tackle her with an aggressive hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m gonna go find mom and tell her!”
“Tell me what?”
I turn to see my mom standing in the kitchen doorway, holding two massive platters of food.
“Auntie Lina said I could work at the clinic!”
A bright smile takes over Mom’s face as she places them on the table. “That’s amazing! Congratulations, Em. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
It’s not long before the table is set and all of the food is ready. Every last Hayes in existence is seated on the back deck waiting for the guests of honor.
Pops and Gigi arrive fashionably late. I’ve never seen two people more in love, except maybe Mom and Dad. Pops takes his seat at the head of the table with Gigi to his right. Uncle Jaxy had to build a bigger table and matching benches once all the babies were old enough to sit by themselves. It’s so longthat you have to yell for anybody at the other end to hear you. It makes for a hilarious game of telephone, though.
