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“Stag?” Ethan prods.
“No. Chloe invited me.”
Ethan grins. “Tell us more. Friend of the bride or groom? Black tie? Church wedding? Where’s the reception?” He’s hilarious.
“You know you sound like a girl right now?” It’s a weak retaliation, but whatever.
“I know you’re trying to avoid answering any more questions.”
As cool as I am about letting Ethan off the hook about things—the mysterious package for example—he doesn’t always extend me the same courtesy. And he damn well knows I like to keep the peace, especially in front of our mom or grandma. “It’s Chloe’s best friend. I don’t know the specifics, only that it’s on Saturday night.”
“Oh, you mean Jillian.”
I stare at my grandmother.
She smiles at me with barely a wrinkle. “I follow Chloe on Instagram and saw them together. Don’t you follow her? You really should if you plan to date her. Showing interest in someone’s social media presence is crucial nowadays.”
There’s complete silence for all of one second before Ethan and I crack up. And just like that any brotherly tension between us disappears.
“What’s so funny?” Grandmother takes another bite of salmon.
“You are,” Ethan and I say at the same time.
“Well, obviously. Where do you think you boys get your sense of humor from? Your father can’t tell a joke to save his life and your mother thinks mustaches are funny. She can’t look at Tom Selleck without giggling. The man is a hottie.”
There are some things you wish you could unhear, and your grandma calling someone a hottie is one of them. “This chutney is really good,” I tell Ethan. “Everything is.”
“Thanks. I’ll let Louis know. I think it would be good on other types of fish as well.”
“Like halibut.”
“Or trout.”
“Even swordfish.”
“Okay, message received. No talking about hotties with my grandsons. But can we talk about something besides fish, please?” She pats the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “It is delicious, Ethan.”
“What would you like to talk about?” he asks.
“How about my birthday? No one is telling me anything.”
“That’s because it’s still months away and you’re just supposed to show up,” I say. Not that I know anything. My mom is in charge of the plans, along with Drew. Our baby brother got roped into that one.
My phone rings in my pocket. I pull it out without glancing at the caller. Only a few people have this number. “Hello?”
“Hi, Finn. It’s Chloe.”
“Hey.” I almost forget where I am and add, “beautiful.”
“Are you still at lunch?”
“Yes. Almost done, though. Are we still meeting at the stadium?”
“Yes, but they’d like you here a little earlier now. Is that possible?”
“Sure, I can leave here in five.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you soon. Bye.”
