Christie looks back at him adoringly.
“I’m expected to be Dad and Grandpa’s clone,” Ash says harshly. “Don’t tell me I have it easy.”
“Well, I have to agree with everything just to be included at the table. You get told everything because you’re male.”
Ash groans, rolling his eyes. “Whatever. I can’t talk to you when you’re like this. Besides, Mom and Dad will be at the same table for the first time in months. Can we just be happy for two seconds?”
“You think this will be a happy occasion?”
Ash shrugs, moving away. “It’s what I’ve been waiting for.”
I tug on my bracelet and force myself into the dining room. My brother moves to the opposite side, sitting by his girlfriend and her family. My faux smile glides into place as LJ stands by my seat, holding it out for me. His parents grin zealously at me.
I nod at LJ and thank him as I sit down.
My mother raises her wine glass. “It feels so good to have you all here.”
Mrs.Prescott squeezes her husband’s shoulder. “I can’t believe this one pried himself away from the office in time to escort us here.”
Mr. Klein chuckles. “We knew we needed to be home in time.”
“I see Tom is still fashionably late,” Mr. Prescott says, referring to my dad.
Mom smirks. “It’s his trademark.”
As if on cue, my father strides into the dining room.
“Hilda.” Dad’s tone sounds like he’s meeting an executive he’s about to fire. “So nice of you to have invited company for our reunion.”
Mrs. Prescott chokes on a sip of sparkling water. She sets the glass down and dabs her chin with a linen napkin. “You two haven’t seen each other yet?”
“You know my husband,” Mom says, rising from her seat. “As we were just discussing, he never can break himself away from the office.”
Dad pulls out Mom’s chair, and the two embrace with a kiss on the cheek.
From across the table, Ash watches the two, and a vein pops in his neck. I don’t know why he expects something more endearing to happen between our parents.
Dad pushes Mom’s chair in and moves to his own seat. “I trust you had a good flight. You appear well rested.”
Ash sinks in his seat. Whenever Dad speaks to Mom like she’s a prospective new client, we know hostility isn’t far behind.
“It’s always wonderful to be home. Plus, I’ve had the most wonderful time catching up with Mary.” Mom gestures at Christie’s mom. “It feels like I’ve known you for so long, but I can’t believe this is the first time we’ve spoken face to face.”
Mrs. Klein nods eagerly. “It’s been an absolute pleasure.”
Dad flicks his linen napkin like he’s ready for a charging bull and drops it to his lap. “I’m so glad you’ve taken the opportunity to spend time with your new friend.”
“And the children, of course,” Mom boasts. “I can’t believe I’ve lost so much time with my babies. Vanessa and I caught up for lost time today. Didn’t we, darling?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“And, of course, I need more time with Ash,” Mom continues. She reaches across, placing her hand on Dad’s wrist. “You’ve taken up enough of his time. I think you should pull back from involving him in the company.”
Dad’s expression twists with perplexity. “What do you mean? He’s the heir.”
“He’s a high schooler.”
“Since when don’t you agree he should be shadowing me?”
