“There you are,” he says.
“My parents are here.” I gesture to where Mom and Dad are standing, barely a foot inside the doorway, glancing around like kids in a candy store.
“I see.” Jasper steps toward them, hand outstretched, ready for shaking. “Mr. and Mrs. Remus. I’m so glad you could make it.”
Mom blushes beneath her foundation. “Thanks for the invite.”
“Swell party,” Dad says and even he cringes at his use of the wordswell. “That is…I mean…happy birthday!”
“Yes happy birthday,” Mom echoes.
“Thank you,” Jasper says, a polite nod of the head. “Please help yourselves to drinks and food. I hope you enjoy your night.”
Jasper is in his element. He’s so polite and polished—the perfect host, modest and welcoming, and not overeffusive like I probably would be.
“Come on,” I say to Mom and Dad. “Let’s get you a miniquiche and a cocktail.” I turn to Jasper. “Go mingle. I’ll get them settled in then come find you.”
“Okay,” Jasper says, then leaning closer so only I can hear, adds, “is everything fine?”
I push out a smile. “Perfect.”
Doing my best to ignore the occasional sideways glance and the waves I receive from complete strangers who must recognize me—that’s new!—I lead my parents over to the bar. Dad orders a beer and Mom some unnaturally blue-colored cocktail. I shoot her an unconvinced look and she shrugs.
“What? I never get to have cocktails. Let me live.”
My eyes roll back in my head but I can’t help smiling. She’s living her best life and honestly I’m here for it.
“Max! There you are.” Katie pushes her way through the crowd. “Mrs. Remus you look stunning!”
Mom performs a little twirl, ending with a flourish of her hand. “Thank you, Katie.”
Dad makes a strange coughing sound.
“You too, Mr. Remus,” Katie says accommodatingly.
“Well, thank you,” Dad says, bending at the waist in a little bow.
“And you too, Katie,” Mom says. “That dress is gorgeous.”
Katie is wearing a pastel-green dress that hugs the curves of her torso then flows in a straight line to the ground. She does look great.
“Where are the twins?” I ask.
“Can I speak with you?” Katie doesn’t wait for an answer before she grabs my elbow and pulls me away.
“What’s up?” I say once we’re out of my parents’ earshot. Back at the bar they stand awkwardly, like they’ve forgotten how to behave in public, watching the party and sipping their drinks too quickly. “I probably shouldn’t leave them alone for too long.”
“It’s Todd and Simon,” Katie says, suddenly distraught.
“What’s wrong?”
“They…they’re dancing with other girls.”
“Where? I haven’t seen them all evening.”
“There’s more party upstairs, you haven’t been up yet?”
“No, I haven’t made it that far.”
