My half-siblings light up, screaming. They all jump up and hug the beaming couple.
I stare down at the ring on her hand.
I feel sick.
Engaged.
A wedding.
“Wow!” My stepfather looks like he’s going to cry.
A good cry. A happy cry.
Mom and the girls all hug Claire.
“Welcome to the family—we have snacks!”
“She’s always been in the family, Bridgie,” Hannah says.
The owners—old-school Italian American—come out with champagne.
There’s more hugging and kissing.
“You’re going to be a grandma soon,” Sean jokes to Mom.
“Sean.” Frank lightly cuffs his ear then smooths his hair down.
Tenderly.
“Congratulations, you two.”
I sit on my hands to keep them from shaking.
“A toast!” the restaurant owner bellows.
“Salut!”
I set down my glass without taking a sip. I don’t want to grip the glass too hard. I’ve done that before—gripped it so hard I broke it and cut my hand.
It didn’t hurt as much as you’d think.
“This dinner’s not all about me—you have big news too.” Ryan turns to me, a shit-eating grin on his face as he scoots in his chair.
The scrape is too loud. The restaurant is too loud.
Ryan looks like his dad when he smiles.
I look like mine when I frown.
No one would think we’re brothers.
“Big news?” Frank turns to me. The happiness bleeds off his face as his attention is forced away from his beloved children.
“Did you see that brand new Mercedes out there?” Ryan raises an eyebrow. “It’s a factory custom.”
“Did you treat yourself to a quarter-of-a-million-dollar car?” Max jokes.
“Seriously, Graham?” Frank explodes. “You spent that much on a new car? What is wrong with you? You’re too old to be wasting money on toys. I know you have other cars.”
