“Yes. About time.” Linda sighs.
“The nick of time.” Dani’s father snickers then pulls her in for a quick hug.
“Don’t mind Frank. Open bar, am I right? He’s a bull in a china shop,” Mom says rapidly. “Frank, you’re going to ruin this for Graham. And me. I want a fancy wedding. Dani, I promise I won’t be a weird, controlling mother of the groom. You can put me in whatever dress you want. No pressure! I’m also not organized enough to plan anything, so you don’t have to worry about me micromanaging.”
“Honestly, we’ll take all the help we can get,” Dani assures her.
“What? This is a nice couples shower.”
“Her cousin hosted this. Dani did the bridal tea,” Linda corrects.
“Um, no. I planned both Colette’s teaandthis, because her cousin was MIA for literally all of it, and—”
“Dani, we are not talking about this here,” Linda hisses and grabs her daughter. “It was so lovely to meet you both. Rest assured, Graham, the wedding will be tasteful and worthy of someone of your social standing.”
“Looking forward to our Costco date.” Hank waves to my mom.
“Sorry! I promise we’re not white trash,” my mom calls as Dani herds her parents off.
“Frank!” She hits him with her clutch.
“Sorry,” he says, but he doesn’t sound like it. “It’s just—why didn’t she tell her parents? Especially her mom. Isn’t that what girls do?”
He’s waiting for me to say something, to give up some vital piece of information.
I keep my mouth shut.
My mom’s talking a mile a minute, like she always does when things get tense.
“You know, I’d almost feel bad about crashing this wedding, except they have a pickle fountain. Like, who does that? Eat a pickle, Graham, you like pickles. Pick me, I’m a pickle.” She shoves a sour, slightly mushy carrot slice in my mouth. “And did you see all the desserts? Where’s my dessert plate? Frank, show him the dessert plate.”
“No thanks.”
“What kind of kid doesn’t like ice cream? Oh, where’s Kraig? They have mini almost-pizzas. They call them flatbreads, and the waiter was really ticked off when I called them pizza.”
“Your mom had a lot to drink,” Frank informs me.
“Dani had a lot to drink—whoo!” My mom laughs. “Speaking of… Frank. Drinks, snacks! Vamoose!”
Frank ambles off.
“Sorry, kid. You know he hates these things,” Mom tells me. She nods over to where Ryan’s talking to one of my brothers. “I think that’s probably not helping either.” She sighs.
It’s silent for a moment.
“So, you weren’t going to tell me about the rest of the guest list? Just gonna let me be surprised?” She’s trying to keep her tone light.
“I was hoping that you all just wouldn’t come,” I admit.
Mom looks a little hurt. “Oh, kid, I didn’t know. I thought you wanted us here.”
“I mean,” I backtrack, “I’m glad you came. I know Dani’s parents would have given her a hard time if you hadn’t.”
I watch Dani across the room. She’s got Claire, Lexi, Daisy, and my half sisters crowded around her, and she’s going on and on in excited detail about the wedding plans for her brother and Colette.
“I guess I’ve never actually seen you with them all together since…” Mom trails off. “I just wanted to show Dani’s parents that we’re normal. I know she’s important to you, and this is a big step in your life. I want them to know that… that you’re a good guy. I was—” She takes a breath. “Worried that they might think you’d hurt their daughter. But you’d never do that. Right?”
“Right.” I nod. “Of course not.” I drain the scotch in my hand. “I’m going to get a drink. I doubt Frank’s getting me one.” Frank’s making his way through the crowd, a sour look on his face.
