Ayla’s mouth drops open. “Excuse me, what?” She looks between them and me. “That’s my husband you’re speaking to.”
Elisa drops her chin. “Husband?”
“For this weekend, yes.” Ayla leans closer to her sisters, hissing out the words. “Be nice to him or people will wonder what’s going on.”
Her sisters wear identical expressions of disgruntlement. “Fine.”
I smile at them.
Other family members are arriving, including Nonna with her walker, accompanied by Vince and Melissa. We all move toward them to greet them.
“Happy Birthday, Nonna!” Ayla gives her great-grandma a hug.
“Thank you,dolcezza. I have hardly seen you this weekend. You’ve been so busy.”
“I know. We’ll talk tonight.”
“Don’t leave it too late; I go to bed early these days.”
Ayla grins. “Okay.”
Nonna looks at me. “Now there’s a man who looks good in a tuxedo. Hello, Carson.”
I lean down to kiss her cheek. Way down. She’s tinier than she used to be. “Thank you. And you look lovely tonight, Gia. Did Ayla plan your outfit to match the décor?”
Gia laughs. “She knows my favorite color.” Her dress is a flattering shade of purple, with a small corsage of purple flowers pinned above her heart. “It looks beautiful in here, Ayla. I love it.”
“Good.” Ayla beams. “This is for you.”
“You’re such a sweetheart.”
“Let’s go find your table.” Ayla leads Gia to the front of the big room.
The place is filling up now, chattering voices and laughter floating around the music. The kids are all dressed in fancy dresses and tiny dress pants and shirts and ties, and wow, are they wound up. You’d think all that outdoor air would’ve tired them out today. Tripp and Knox are chasing little Madison through the tables, all of them shrieking. Their parents are lined up at the bar.
Which seems like an excellent idea. I head that way, too.
I chat with cousins and uncles and aunts while I wait in line for a beer. I was going to get Ayla a glass of wine, but there’sa signature cocktail on offer: a Purple Rain. What else. I don’t know what’s in it, but I take one for her, then search the room for her. She’s still with Nonna and now Ernie and Angela, and… crap, I’m not sure who the other couple is.
I join them and hand Ayla her drink.
“Oh, thank you! I can’t wait to try this!”
“Such a thoughtful young man,” Gia says. “Come here, Carson, sit down and talk hockey to me.”
I grin. “Sure.”
“What happened to Lawson?” she asks. “How long will he be out?”
“Lower body injury,” I say.
“Phhht. Come on.”
I grin. “High ankle sprain.”
“Ah.”
“He’s probably out six weeks.” I make a face.
