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When his silence had stretched a little too long, the air growing tense, Mom spoke to him softly. “Charles, come inside for a few minutes. I’ll make you a drink.”
“I have a drink.”
He’d make a scene, and Mom knew it. It didn’t matter that this party was his idea, or that he was as happy as I could ever remember him being. His temper couldn’t be reasoned with. It was just a matter of how badly he’d ream Tiffany out for this. Or me. Or Manning, the way Dad was looking at him.
“What’s wrong?” Dad asked me, glancing at Manning’s hand.
“She was going to faint,” Manning answered. “I—”
“Come here.” Dad opened an arm to me. I didn’t want to leave Manning, but it wasn’t a request. I went to my dad, and he hugged me to his side a little too hard, almost possessively.
Tiffany broke the silence, her voice timid. “Daddy—”
He held up a hand to her. I waited with bated breath until he inhaled through his nose and announced . . . “I think it’s wonderful news.
Tiffany and I exchanged a glance, sisters first, shocked by his response. My dad was the one person I could rely on in this situation. For once, it elated me that he hated Manning. He couldn’t stand there and say it was wonderful!
“You . . .” Tiffany hesitated. “Wonderful?”
Mom smiled politely at my aunt and uncle. “I’m sorry. I think we just need a moment—”
“That’s right,” Dad said a little too loudly, raising his beer in the air. “It’s wonderful. A graduation and a wedding. What a night. Isn’t it, Cathy?”
None of us knew what to do. Manning stepped forward, as if to diffuse the situation. “Sir—”
Dad transferred his beer can to shake Manning’s hand. “Congratulations.”
“You’re happy?” Tiffany asked. The hopefulness in her voice both hurt me and made me hurt for her. She so wanted his attention—good or bad, it didn’t matter.
“I am,” he said, and then brightened up. “In fact, let me make a call. You remember that friend of mine over at the Ritz? He’s the manager there, and he owes me a favor.”
Tiffany gasped. “As in the Ritz-Carlton?” She squealed so loudly, even the kids yelling in the pool looked over. “On the cliff? Overlooking the beach? Are you serious?”
Words and hands flew by me. I couldn’t keep up. Dad laughed at Tiffany as she bounced up and down, and a hesitant smile broke through my mom’s skepticism.
“Tiffany, hang on.” Manning wiped his upper lip with his sleeve and turned to my dad. “Thank you, sir, but the Ritz is—it’s the Ritz.”
Dad waved his beer but his other arm tightened on my shoulders. “Don’t worry about that. It’s customary for the bride’s parents to pay.” He nodded at my mom. “Cathy’s father footed the bill for our wedding.”
“He did,” she agreed. “And don’t let Charles try to convince you he protested. He was happy to accept the help.”
“Bullshit. I did some protesting, but in the end, I realized it’s a father’s honor.” Dad kissed the side of my head, then held open his other arm to Tiffany. She slipped into his side, looking up at him. “Besides, this is why I work as hard as I do.” He locked eyes with Manning. “To see my girls happy.”
If he wasn’t going to put a stop to this, I had to. But how? I had no claim over Manning, not even a real kiss or a whispered promise. He’d never told me he loved me. I’d based an entire future with him on the things we hadn’t said, on looks exchanged and almost-touches. I knew I hadn’t imagined it, but I had no evidence of it whatsoever, not even a complete, unwavering certainty that Manning felt the same way I did.
Tiffany glowed. Mom saw it, too, how she and my dad wore matching smiles. My eyes watered. I wanted this for Tiffany, her happiness, my dad’s approval. I never tried to steal her attention, because I didn’t want it as badly as she did. But I couldn’t find the graciousness to celebrate with her tonight. Instead, I wished all of this away—so I could get what I wanted. Did it make me selfish that given the chance right then, I would’ve taken Manning for myself?
“Hello?” came a familiar voice.
We all turned as Corbin came through the back gate into the yard. “It was unlocked, so I just—”
“Please,” Mom said, beckoning him. “Come in. How are you, sweetheart? How’s your father?”
Corbin crossed the lawn to us and I’d never been happier to see anyone in my life. I ducked out from under my dad’s arm and vaulted myself into the comfort of my best friend with a hanging-on-for-dear-life hug that he answered with a deep laugh. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, Kaplan.”
I buried my face in his sunscreen-scented neck. Corbin understood me. He wanted me to be happy. He’d never do anything as awful as fall in love with my sister and announce his engagement to her this way.
