My parents have been playing the role of proud hosts, feeding me until my sundress protests and parading me around the neighborhood, sweetly bragging about their daughter, the executive producer.
“Work stuff,” I mumble. But my cheeks betray me, blooming pink under Mama’s knowing stare.
“Sugar, did you forget I raised you? That smile you’re wearing? Ain’t about no business deal.”
“It absolutely is!”
“Mm-hmm,” she hums, fanning herself. “I suppose those magazine spreads I’ve been seeing are just business too? That cover of theStone Timesat a certain beach?”
Her look reminds me of being fifteen, caught writing Tom Hardy’s name in loopy cursive across my diary after I watched aWuthering Heightsminiseries. Some things are constant, it seems, like my weakness for complicated men with good hearts.
Maybe I should’ve seen my antihero thing coming a mile away.
“The tabloids love their drama,” I say primly, smoothing imaginary wrinkles from my dress.
Right on cue, Aunt Mabel sweeps onto the porch like a floral-printed hurricane, fresh from helping Daddy with barbecue prep. “Are we finally discussing that fine specimen of a man? I saw a picture of y’all on set—those tattoos! Nearly baptized my phone with my potato salad!”
“We’re colleagues,” I explain. “The director quit, so we’ve got this whole PR plan coming up, to evolve my image in the press. And, yes, Dante is a part of that, but that’s it!”
“That Felix was trouble walking. Thank the Lord he never met your daddy.”
Mabel claims another rocker, leaning in like we’re trading secrets at a church social. “Speaking of your daddy, isn’t it time you thought about settling down? Building something real? Don’t let this one slip away. Those arms alone are worth a marriage license!”
“Aunt Mabel!” I protest, but laughter bubbles up anyway.
Sometimes I catch myself daydreaming about Dante with Em, the way his sharp edges soften when he talks about her, even when he pretends she gets under his skin. It’s disarming, really, how naturally tenderness comes to him. I let myself imagine our hypothetical babies—a little girl with his easy smile, a boy with my contemplative brown eyes. “Things move differently in Hollywood,” I whisper. “No one’s rushing to have babies over there. People take their time. Besides, Dante and I are not having—”
“Time!” Aunt Mabel waves her paper plate at me. “I had two babies by your age. Your biological clock isn’t turning back any further, Miss Hollywood.”
Daddy materializes in the doorway wearing hisKiss the Cookapron, burger patties balanced carefully on a plate. “Babies?” The word catches in his throat, but his stern expression melts when he sees my face.
“No babies!” I insist.
“Well,” Daddy considers, “any man who puts a smile on my baby girl’s face can’t be all bad. Even with thosedecorations, as Auntie Heather calls them. At least he’s not one of those Hollywood pretty boys afraid of honest work. A real athlete—that’s something!”
I’ll need to have a strong talk with Heather about not always keeping my parents in the loop.
Mama fans herself, feigning distress. “Yes, those swords! Though I must say, theEsquirespread…” She trails off, a hint of appreciation coloring her mock outrage. “It did give me heart palpitations. That mask!”
“Heaven help us.” Aunt Mabel grins, settling deeper into her chair. “Tell me fighting isn’t the only thing he’s skilled at. Does he at least know how to peel crawfish properly?”
“He hasn’t learned yet, but he’s a quick study. You’d love teaching him.”
“Well then, sugar, tell that man of yours he’s welcome anytime,” Daddy says, heading back to his grill. “Just leave the swords in California. And fair warning: I’ll be grilling him harder than these burgers. Speaking of which, these patties won’t cook themselves.”
Mama rolls her eyes fondly as Aunt Mabel fusses over him. The oldest sister, always mothering. My phone chimes again, and I attempt a serious face so I don’t give anything away.
Dante
How’s the family reunion going? Has your mother stuffed you with beignets yet?
Reese
She’s been drowning me in gumbo with potato salad, cornbread, AND red beans and rice. We’re prepping for a whole family barbecue now.
Dante
How wholesome. Be sure to keep your protein intake up for all that muscle we’re building.
