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“Jesus.” My mom grabbed his hand. “What are you doing?” She placed a napkin in his palm.

Is he bleeding?!

My dad didn’t say a word. He just stared at Axel. Like he very much did want to kill him. His fist closed around the napkin.

“This is great news,” my mom said. “Right, James?”

He just kept glaring at Axel.

Axel cleared his throat. “Uncle James, I did ask for her hand and you said...”

“When she was legal. Is my daughter suddenly 18? And you are wearing the same outfit as you were last night. Aren’t you? Where is Briggs? Penny, call Porter.”

“It’s a different outfit,” Liam said. “Congrats, guys.”

I smiled at him.

“Real different,” Mr. Tanner said. “Like I said before, I’d know if it was an outfit from the 50s. It’s not. Congrats, kids. I love young love. But I’m off my game. I really thought it would be Scarlett and Jacob getting married.”

“No one is getting married,” my dad said firmly.

Uncle Tyler stood up. He lightly hit my dad in the stomach as he rounded the couch.

And then he leaned over and hugged me. “I’d say welcome to the family, but you’re already a part of it, Scarlett.” He kissed my cheek.

“Thanks, Uncle Tyler.”

“You guys should really stop calling each other’s parents uncle and aunt,” RJ said. “Now that you’re getting married. People will think you’re legit cousins getting freaky.”

“No one is getting married,” my dad said. “And definitely no one is getting freaky.” He turned to Aunt Hailey. “Hails. Say something.”

She laughed. “You think I’m taking your side here? Everyone else may have forgiven you, but I’m still mad.”

“Mom,” Axel said.

She sighed and shook her head. But she ignored my dad and rounded the couch to pull her son into a big hug. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered.

I smiled at the two of them.

And then she grabbed my hand and pulled me into the hug too.

“Should we start planning the wedding now?” Mr. Tanner asked. “Nigel, takes notes.”

“Of course,” Mr. Nigel said and pulled out a notebook. “Live band, yes?”

“No notes!” my dad yelled. “They’re not getting married any time soon. They’ll have a long engagement. Right?” He stared at me. “Right, pumpkin? You’ll at least wait until after you graduate from college?”

“I...” I hadn’t really thought of it.

Uncle Rob gasped. “Unless she’s pregnant.”

Uncle Rob! Why?!

“Shotgun wedding,” he said with his smile that I knew meant he was up to no good.

Aunt Daphne slapped him in the back of the head.

“That’s not possible,” my dad said. “My daughter is a virgin.”