Which is completely weird. He’s never made a toast in his life. It’s so… formal.I’dnever made a champagne toast either before going onLovedBy.
As I watch his face, my stomach drops. A champagne toast… on the day we’re all meeting his girlfriend.
No. There’s no way…
“I’m so glad the whole family could be here this weekend,” he says. “And not just because the Fourth is my favorite holiday, but because I have some big news to share with y’all…”
Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.
Because this has to be a nightmare, right? Surely the thing I think is happening can’tactuallybe happening.
But then, it does.
“Cara and I are engaged!”
The announcement unleashes a flurry of congratulations and hugs from my family. My mom starts to cry. Tripp claps Cooper on the shoulder.
And this time, no amount of embedded manners can move me to politeness. I gape, looking from Linney to Pete to my dad. They all have the grace to look chagrined.
Chagrined, but not surprised.
Noneof them seemed surprised, and they’re not asking for details. They’re not asking how Cara and Cooper met, or where Cara grew up. It’s as if they already know these things. As if they already know her. Instead, they’re asking about the drive over from Nashville, and the jewelry business, and how her dog is… I know whyIknow these things. I have spent hours stalking her online presence, but there’s no way my dad should know this much about Cara’s bearded dragon, Ralph.
They’ve all met before, haven’t they? My brain whirs quickly… And there were six bottles of champagne in the fridge.
Sixbottles means my mom knew something was up. And didn’t tell me.
“Have y’all set a date?” Tripp asks.
Cooper shakes his head. “We were thinking maybe next summer, but Cara’s planning to launch her retail location then, so we’ll see. Would be great to do something here at the lake though.”
Mom lights up at that, her whole face softening with a kind of glowing joy—and very clearly already planning the wedding in her head.
“We’re going to go freshen up before the Lancolms get here,” Cooper says, reaching out to thread his fingers through Cara’s. I notice for the first time a stunning yet simple engagement ring on her left hand.
When the screen door thwacks shut, I jolt back to life.
“Um, I’m sorry, but what the actual fuck?”
“Nicole!” my mother admonishes. “Language!”
“Hey, guys,” Linney says, clapping her hands, “why don’t you go get changed out of your suits for dinner.” She ushers William and Anna Carol into the house.
I blush, embarrassed to have dropped my composure—and an f-bomb—in front of the kids.Sorry, I mouth to Linney. She just shrugs and waves a hand as if to say,Girl, I get it.
“But seriously,” I hiss, coming to stand with my family on the porch. “You all knew? You’ve met her before?”
“Just once,” Linney admits. “Mom and Dad have met her a few times…”
I look to my mother, feeling a stab of betrayal. Her gaze remains fixed on the champagne glass in her hand.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“Cooper asked us not to,” Pete says. I feel another flare of anger, and it must show on my face because Pete adds, “I think he didn’t want to upset you. They had just started seeing each other. It didn’t seem worth all the drama of telling you, since things might not work out between them anyway. But I guess…” He winces. “I guess theydidend up working out.”
“How long have they been together?”
“Five months,” my mother answers, meeting my eyes for the first time since Cooper shared the news.
