The doorbell rings before I make it halfway down the stairs.
Dad is already moving toward the front door, and he glances back at me.
"Come on, Lucy."
I smooth my hands down the front of my dress even though I know it doesn't need it, then follow him into the entryway.
The second Dad opens the door, his whole face changes.
"Frank." He reaches out to shake Mr. Harris's hand. "Glad you could make it."
"So are we."
Mrs. Harris smiles warmly as she steps inside, a casserole dish balanced in both hands.
"We hope we're not late."
"Not at all," Mom says as she hurries over. "Come in."
Daniel follows his parents inside, closing the door behind him. His shirt is neatly pressed, his sleeves are buttoned at the wrists, and not a strand of dark hair is out of place. When he looks at me, he smiles like he's been expecting me to be standing exactly where I am.
"Lucy," he says. "It's good to see you."
"You too."
Mrs. Harris turns toward me before anyone else can speak.
"My goodness," she says, smiling as her eyes travel over my dress. "Don't you look lovely. It's refreshing to see a young woman who still dresses like a young lady."
"Thank you."
I step forward and take the casserole dish from her before she has to keep holding it.
"It's nice to see you."
"It certainly is."
Her hand rests lightly over mine for a second before she lets go.
"You've always been such a sweet girl."
I smile because that's what's expected, but I can't shake the feeling that she's measuring me while she talks. It's subtle enough that I almost convince myself I'm imagining it.
Dad closes the front door behind them.
"Let's get everyone settled."
The men drift toward the living room almost automatically while Mom asks me to bring the casserole into the kitchen.
I carry it to the counter, and before I even set it down, I can hear Dad laughing from the other room.
He's using his company laugh, the one that's louder than his real one.
Mom slides the casserole beside everything else she's made. "I think that's everything."
Mrs. Harris steps into the kitchen behind us, looking around with an approving smile. "Karen, everything looks wonderful."
"Thank you."
