Page 8

I continue to my room and close the door to get changed. I grab a hunter-green henley from my walk-in closet and discard my tattered Washington State University t-shirt into the hamper.

I always look forward to hanging out with the Windells. Ted is one of the most highly respected orthopedic surgeons in the Midwest, and I look up to him. I was really grateful when he took me under his wing at work and mentored me. But now we’re friends, and that means even more. Especially since my parents are gone.

Kansas summers are hot and humid, so I forgo jeans and opt for some grey linen shorts instead. Normally I’d just throw on some sports shorts and a t-shirt, but the Windells are a little on the fancy side.

I slip on my leather sandals and stand in front of my floor-length mirror. My dark brown hair is messy, and my 5 o'clock shadow is showing, but I hate shaving on my days off. I shrug my shoulders, deciding I look good enough.

Hopefully, Diane won’t mind my informal appearance too much.

After parking down the street from the Windell’s home, I open Penny’s door and she jumps down from her booster seat, making her pigtails sway. She grabs onto my large hand with her tiny one. She’s got these little dimples on each knuckle that I find ridiculously adorable.

“Daddy, will there be sparklers?” she asks.

“Yeah, Pen. Dr. and Mrs. Windell said there will be.”

She smiles so big both of her dimples show and jumps up and down. Kids are so easily entertained.

We make it to the Windell’s front door and although I can hear the party booming in their large back yard, I ring the doorbell instead of letting myself in. Diane is nice, but I always find myself being a little extra formal around her.

Instead of Ted or Diane answering the door, it’s their daughter, Sophie. She smiles brightly at me and then at Penny. “Penny, I love your dress! We’re almost matching!”

Penny looks her up and down with a slightly judgmental look before nodding in agreement. “It’s the same color as mine!”

They’re both wearing navy-blue dresses, except Penny’s is sparkly and fluffy, whereas Sophie’s is form-fitting and ruched on the sides.

“I wish mine had a tutu attached like yours, though,” Sophie says with a playful pout, and motions for us to step inside as we wait for Penny’s response.

Penny shrugs. “Yeah, it would be better with a tutu.”

Sophie bites the insides of her cheeks to keep from laughing.

“You guys can head out back! The buffet is incredible this year.” Sophie spins on her heel, making her long glossy blonde hair fan out behind her. She walks off toward the staircase that I’m assuming leads to the upstairs rooms.

I take Penny’s hand and we make our way to the French doors that lead to the backyard.

Penny tugs on my hand and whispers, “Sophie’s so pretty, Daddy.”

I don’t bother arguing with her. You’d have to be blind not to notice how incredibly beautiful Sophie is. She’s also incredibly off-limits. So I just smile and tug Penny along.

Walking into the backyard, I feel my eyes almost bug out of my head. Diane is known for her amazing parties, but this is a whole new level of bougie.

There’s a man on stilts dressed as Uncle Sam making balloon animals. Twinkling lights are strung from tall poles, making the yard look like it has a ceiling made of stars. They even hung patriotic bunting flags along all sides of their privacy fence, and Sophie was right. There’s a gigantic buffet table with warming containers holding a myriad of BBQ selections. The smell makes my mouth water.

Ted and Diane spot us among the crowd of seventy-five or so partygoers. Ted waves us over to where he’s talking to the new surgeon who just started at our office. I walk over with Penny.

“Drew! So glad you and Penny could make it.” He tugs on one of her pigtails, making her giggle.

My new coworker, Dr. Pham, introduces her husband, “Dr. Reed, this is my husband, Archie.”

She gestures to the man next to her, wearing a dress shirt and slacks. His forehead is dripping with sweat. They both have deep brown eyes and sleek black hair. There’s an air of formality about them, just like the Windells.

I definitely feel underdressed standing in this circle.

Reaching my hand out, I shake Archie’s sweaty palm. “Please, just call me Drew, and this is my daughter, Penny.”

I look down at my side where Penny was, but she has already run off to get a balloon animal.

Dr. Pham smiles in her direction. “She’s darling!”