It's Dad.
“Logan. What are you doing tonight? Nolan's already here, and Dom called this morning. He says he has somethingimportant he wants to discuss with the family. Your mother is cooking.”
“Dad, I have plans tonight.”
“Cancel them. Your brother says it's important. He wants all of us there. Dinner at six.”
“Can't it wait until Sunday? I could drive out after the game.”
“He specifically said tonight. The whole family together. Whatever plans you have, they can wait.”
Whatever Dom wants to say must be important.
I sit on my couch and stare at the phone. Jasmine's last text is still on the screen from this morning. A photo of raw chicken pieces in a bowl of marinade with the caption:This is marinating for eight hours. You better show up hungry.
I type and delete three messages before I settle on one.
Something came up with family. Nolan's in town for one night and my dad wants everyone there. I'm really sorry. Can we do tomorrow instead?
I press send, put the phone on the coffee table, and go back to the game film. I watch the same Boston zone entry four times without absorbing any of it.
Jasmine’s reply comes twenty minutes later.No worries. Have fun with your family.
Jasmine understands. She's a reasonable person. My brother is in town for one night. This isn't a big deal.
I shower and drive to Long Island.
The dinner is fine. Nolan is in good form.
“So we check into this hotel in Tampa,” Nolan says, waving his fork. “And I go to the bathroom, and there's a roach on the wall the size of my fist. I'm talking massive. I call the front desk, and the guy says Sir, that's a palmetto bug, not a roach.' I said, 'I don't care what his name is, get him out of my room.'“
Dom nearly chokes on his water. Dom and Sarah are sitting across from me. Sarah is in a deep blue dress that suits her.
“That's a great dress, Sarah,” I say.
Her whole face lights up. “Thank you, Logan. I found it at this little boutique in the city.”
Dom clears his throat and puts his fork down. “Actually, since we're all together, Sarah and I have some news.”
The table goes quiet. Mom stops mid-reach for the salad bowl, and Dad sets his glass down.
Dom takes Sarah's hand on the table. “I proposed last weekend. Sarah said yes.”
Sarah raises her left hand, and a diamond catches the light. It's small and elegant and perfect for her. Her face is flushed, and she's smiling so wide it takes over her entire face.
“Congratulations,” I say immediately, reaching across to shake Dom's hand and squeeze Sarah's. “That's incredible news.”
“About time,” Nolan says. “I was starting to think you were going to date this woman forever without making it official.”
“When's the wedding?” I ask.
“We're thinking something small and intimate,” Dom says. “Close family, a few friends. Maybe spring.”
“Spring of next year?” Mom says. Her smile is in place, but her eyes are tight. “That's very soon.”
“Spring of this year, Mom,” Dom says. “We don't see the point in waiting.”
Mom puts the salad bowl down. “Don't you think you're both a little young for marriage? You're twenty-three, Dominic. You haven't even finished your masters. Maybe a longer engagement would give you time to?—”
