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Hope shot him a warning look. “No musicians,” Hope said with confidence. She must be thinking they’d followed that rule.
“Correct, and a boy showed up this morning for Mia with purple hair,” Dad said. “Wearing a band T-shirt.”
Must be Quinn.
“Yes,” Alexi said with Dad. “Yes, he is a musician, and you are right about him.”
Mia frowned at him.
“Stay with me, not Lauren,” Hope said, listing the rules, as if it would appease Mom and Dad.
Alexi said, “It was only the one time, and Hope sent me right after Mia. You’re right about her, too.”
Mia thumped the side of his leg. “Stop helping.”
Mom eyed her hand. “No sleep-overs with boys.”
Mia gave Alexi a straight-on stare, daring him to open his mouth.
Alexi’s eyes opened wide, and he shook his head at her.
“This rule applied to you, too, Hope,” Dad said.
Mia giggled. She couldn’t help it.
Dad gave her the look. She stopped giggling, but she couldn’t stop the grin. Hope never got in trouble, ever. What a change, poor Hope. “They’re engaged.”
“I don’t know about that,” Dad said.
Niko opened his mouth, and Dad lifted a hand indicating he’d like to finish. “I don’t see a ring.”
“And no one phoned to ask for our blessing,” Mom said.
Niko’s face softened. “I love Hope. I proposed. She accepted. I ask for your blessing and forgiveness for my thoughtlessness, but we will be married.” He dropped to one knee beside Hope, took her left hand in his and slid an engagement ring on it. He kissed her finger.
Hope looked at the yellow diamond in the ring and got a huge smile on her face. “It’s my sunshine, like my painting.” Hope’s expression echoed his: happiness, love, and a life-long promise. She leaned into Niko and then pulled back to turn to Mom and Dad. She took a deep breath.
“Let me see,” Mia said.
Hope held up her hand, wiggling her fingers. The ring caught the light. Beautiful. Mia nodded in approval at Niko. She listed number five herself. “Curfew.”
Hope smiled at Mia. “Mia stuck to her curfew and was in early each night.”
Mom rolled her eyes, then glanced from Mia to Alexi. Her look said she wasn’t impressed—of course Mia was home each night, Alexi was living with her. “And.”
Niko put an arm around Hope, and she looked at him when she said, “No trashy clothes.”
Dad eyed Mia’s skirt in a pointed manner.
“We have been very diligent about that one,” Niko said. “But we must talk to the school about the cheer uniforms.”
“Yes…” Alexi said.
Mia hit his arm to shut him up and threw out number seven because Mom and Dad would list them all. “Call if you need money.”
“We checked Mia’s account,” Mom said. “It emptied and then grew.”
“I took care of it,” Hope said.
