The older Scotts turn out to be better than I expected. When Noah told me about Rick’s traditional family, I pictured people a lot stiffer than this, but sitting here next to Caroline and Daniel, they don’t feel all that different. Brad and Maria are surprisingly attentive—not just to Cassidy, but to Maya and Noah too, and even to me, in that polite, careful way people get when they’re trying to make room for someone new.
There’s still something a little tense in the way they talk to Rick, though. They’re not fighting, exactly, but now and then there’s an edge to it that makes me think things between them aren’t as easy as they’re all pretending.
Honestly, I can’t even blame Rick’s parents, because he’s the only one at the table who really gets under my skin. He keeps bringing up stories about Noah—little anecdotes from their shared childhood, jokes that no one but the two of them would understand—and every time, he glances at me afterward, as if checking whether I’m bothered by how far back he goes with him.
I’m not sure if he’s trying to show off in front of me or remind Noah of their connection, but either way, it’s clearly making Noah uncomfortable. He gets quieter with each story, shrinking a little more every time Rick brings the conversation back around to him.
I find myself doing it without even meaning to—asking Noah questions, laughing at his quiet jokes, touching his arm or thigh just often enough to keep him from going too far into his own head. Each time I do, Noah gives me a grateful look that makes something twist in my stomach.
I notice, with some relief, that he’s not jumping at my touch now the way he did when we first got here. Baby steps, I guess.
For a minute, Noah seems more relaxed, but it doesn’t last. Then Rick circles right back to him. “Remember that summer on Cape Cod?” he says to the table without looking at me. “When Noah was convinced he saw a shark and refused to go back in the water the entire week?”
Everyone laughs.
“Yup,” Maya says, grinning. “After that, he wouldn’t go anywhere near the water. Just sat by the kiddie pool instead.”
“Itwasa shark,” Noah insists.
“It was seaweed,” all four parents say at once, and everyone cracks up again.
Noah just sighs and rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t look too bothered.
Still, I slide my hand onto his thigh again. He doesn’t pull away.
“Speaking of Cape Cod,” Brad says suddenly, setting down his wine glass and placing an arm around Rick’s shoulder. “We’ve actually been meaning to share some news, now that we’re all together.”
Rick stiffens beside his father. “Dad, maybe not now,” he says quickly. “It’s Daniel’s birthday weekend. We don’t want to steal his spotlight.”
“Nonsense,” Daniel says, waving a hand. “My birthday’s tomorrow, and there’s no spotlight to steal. What’s the news?”
Cassidy is practically vibrating with excitement, her eyes bright as she looks between Rick and his father.
Rick hesitates, his eyes darting briefly to Noah before settling back on his father. “Well, alright,” he says reluctantly. He takes a deep breath. “Cassidy and I are engaged.”
The table erupts in surprise and congratulations. Maria clasps her hands in delight while Brad beams with pride. Caroline immediately jumps up to hug Cassidy, who holds out her hand to show off a diamond ring that probably costs more than I spent on med school.
“It happened about a month ago,” Cassidy explains, smiling as Caroline examines the ring. “We were at the beach house on the Cape. It was sunset, and he had champagne waiting on the deck…”
I’m barely listening to her story because all my attention is on Noah. His face has gone slightly pale, though his smile remains fixed in place. Under the table, his leg has tightened beneath my hand, and I can see him trembling slightly as he reaches for his wine.
Without thinking, I slide my arm around his shoulders and pull him into a brief side hug while everyone else is focused on Cassidy’s engagement story.
“You okay?” I whisper against his ear, and he nods quickly, but I can still feel how tense he is. I drop my arm and turn back to the table just in time to hear Caroline ask, “When’s the wedding?”
“We’re thinking September,” Cassidy says. “Nothing too large—just three hundred of our closest friends and family.”
I nearly choke on my wine at the words “nothing too large” followed by “three hundred.”
“Of course you’re all invited,” Cassidy adds, smiling.
That gets a warm round of thank-yous and pleased murmurs from the table.
Once the fuss eases, Caroline looks between Rick and Cassidy, her eyes a little misty. “Well,” she says, “I hope someday we’ll be celebrating Noah’s engagement too.” She turns to me and Noah with a hopeful smile. “He always wanted to get married when he was little. Always wanted a big family.”
I feel Noah freeze beside me, clearly mortified by his mother’s comment. Before he can say anything that might come out defensive or strained, I slide my hand over his on the table.
“I think we’re on the same page about that,” I tell Caroline, then turn to Noah with the softest smile I can manage. “No rush, though. I don’t think Noah’s ready for kids just yet, and I’m still enjoying having him all to myself.”
