Just call me and set your phone down somewhere. I’ll mute my end and listen in. Maybe I’ll even pop some popcorn.
There’s zero chance of that happening. Knowing my luck, she’d accidentally unmute herself and laugh at a bad time. The evening was going to be awkward enough without trying to explain that.
I’d texted her an invite to the dinner because she’s my sister and I wanted to keep her in the loop. But I knew she wouldn’t be able to make it on such short notice, so maybe I should have skipped inviting her in the first place. Georgia’s enjoying this—from a safe distance—way too much.
CARA
I’ll text you tomorrow and let you know how it went.
GEORGIA
I want ALL the juicy details.
I send her a thumbs-up emoji, but I hope there’s nothing juicy about tonight. Dry. Boring. Uneventful. That’s the goal.
When Gin finally comes down the stairs, I’m relieved to see that she’s dressed nicely. It wouldn’t have surprised me if she put on raggedy old sweats in protest or—on the flip side—wore her funeral dress, complete with her pearls. But she’s wearing jeans and a nice blouse, while I’m in jeans and a tank with a summery cardigan over it.
The relief is short lived, though, because she’s carrying a small gift bag and nothing about this situation points to my mother going into this dinner with that much goodwill.
“What’s in the bag?” I ask, trying for more casual curiosity and less dread.
“One doesn’t show up for a dinner invitation without a token gift for the hostess, Carolina. You know that.”
The way she smiles makes me think I should take a peek in that bag before she hands it over to a member of the Reilly family. Gin’s not a fan of anything that slithers, creeps, or crawls, so whatever’s in there probably doesn’t bite, but she looks too pleased with herself for my liking.
It’ll be a battle, though, and we don’t have time for that. Plus, if I make her too mad, she might refuse to go. I need Gin and Colleen in the same room tonight because I have enough on my plate without worrying about them coming face to face for the first time at my actual wedding.
“Do you want to drive?” I ask as we walk out to the cars. If she’s driving, it would make sense for me to hold the gift bag and I’m sure I can sneak a peek inside.
“I’m not in the mood.” She makes sure I get her point by yanking my passenger door open so hard it’s a miracle the handle doesn’t come off in her hand.
Okay then.
By the time I slide into the driver’s seat, Gin already has her seatbelt on and she’s holding the bag on her lap with both hands. The bag hasn’t moved and there are no ticking sounds or unpleasant odors coming from it, so all I can do at this point is cross my fingers my mother’s playing nice.
The silence between us barely has a chance to grow uncomfortable before I pull into Aaron’s driveway. I’ve noticed this house before because it’s a beautiful Colonial with a big lawn and a horseshoe driveway, and if nothing else, I’ll get to see the inside tonight.
As I park near the front door, Gin sniffs. “None of these new houses have any character at all.”
Sure, because windows that don’t close right anymore and floors that are no longer level are what makes a house a home. “Be nice, please.”
She heaves a put-upon sigh that Penny would be proud of, and then manages to undo her seatbelt without shifting the gift bag enough for me to justify holding it for her. I give up and get out, and then we walk up the front steps together.
That’s when I see that my mother is not the only person being tempted by pettiness tonight. In front of Aaron’s door is a rectangular spot outlined by a faint line of dirt.
One of the Reillys actually took up their welcome mat.
Hoping Gin doesn’t notice—and maybe trying to keep myself from turning and running off into the woods—I take a deep breath and press the doorbell.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Hayden
When the doorbell chimes, the tension in my brother’s home spikes, which is saying something considering it’s been sky high since Colleen and I arrived.
“I’ll get it,” I say, heading toward the door. Since I forced this night on my family, Cara and her mother definitely qualify as my guests.
My mother holds up her hand. “I’ll get it.”
