I flip and lift an eyebrow. “Are you saying I’m not respectful?”

“Anya, don’t begin along with your brother,” our mom says, her brief blonde bob rustling throughout her shoulders as she shakes her head.

“No, I’m saying a few of it is best to care for and respect ladies extra. Particularly your sister.” She narrows her eyes, trying previous me to Callum.

“What’s happening?” my mother asks.

“Nothing, Mother,” I say, not eager to get into what’s happening between Anya and Callum. “She’s in all probability upset as a result of she misses faculty.”

“That’s not true.” Anya parks a hand on her hip. “I need to be taken critically round right here.”

I wrap an arm round her shoulder. “You must discuss to him. Get him to see your aspect of issues.”

“Who’s not taking you critically?” our mom asks.

Anya huffs. “Nothing, Mother. It’s advantageous.”

“Shepherd simply acquired again into city,” my mom says, clearly altering the topic from what Anya’s upset about. “Why don’t you two go and say hello to him whereas I communicate with my daughter.” My mom wraps her arm round Anya, and Hartford and I take the trace to get out of the kitchen.

Hartford and I head into the lounge, and almost everyone seems to be right here. My father sits in a recliner, going through the TV, watching a baseball sport. I look on the display, and see it’s an outdated Minor League sport my father likes to look at time and again.

Callum and Shepherd sit on the sofa watching the sport as effectively. I haven’t seen Shepherd in months.

Brock and Tripp aren’t right here but, and I urge Hartford additional into the lounge.

“Hey, Shep,” I say, and Shepherd turns to face me.

He bounds from the sofa to hug Hartford first—asshole—after which me. “Hey, it has been a very long time. I’ve missed you guys.”

“Your beard is uncontrolled. You appear like a mountain man. Isn’t it sizzling down in Florida?”

“I used to be there throughout winter, so the climate was good.” Shepherd runs his fingers via his bushy beard. “I’ll trim the beard as soon as I get house. I got here straight right here from the airport.”

“So that you haven’t even been house but?” Hartford asks.

Shep shakes his head. “Not but. I’ll in all probability dip out of dinner early. I’m exhausted and form of have some issues to do at my place.”

I need to ask him what he probably has to do, however I don’t hassle, as a result of Shepherd is already sitting again down on the sofa to proceed watching the sport. Hartford sits subsequent to him, and collectively they talk about the sport on the TV with my father.

“Hey, Callum,” I say, questioning if I ought to point out that he must go and discuss to Anya within the kitchen, however I actually don’t need to add gas to the hearth.

He provides me a fast chin nod, and that solidifies my thoughts to not contain myself between the 2 of them. I nonetheless want to listen to Anya’s concepts, and I’m wondering if now is an effective time.

“Do you want a drink?” I ask Hartford.

She glances my approach. “Positive. Lemonade?”

I nod and head again into the kitchen as Callum and Shepherd shout drink orders at my again. I’m solely right here to care for Hartford, they’ll get their very own drinks.

My mom’s busy within the kitchen as Anya helps out.

I smile at them each, and head towards the fridge. “Did you need to inform me your thought?” I ask Anya.

“It’s not any large deal, I suppose. I simply suppose that again room on the restaurant that you just all do nothing with must be used to e book events. You possibly can have personal dinners, rehearsal dinners, birthday dinners. The probabilities are countless.”

I take into consideration her thought. That room has the power to be one thing nice. I don’t understand how we haven’t considered it earlier than. It’s simply all the time been a catch-all for something we couldn’t discover a place for. The room is stuffed with bins, however I can think about it stuffed with tables topped with white crisp linens. “It’s a good suggestion, Anya.”

My mom beams. “I believe it’s the very best thought. Callum’s an fool for not listening to her.” My mom smiles, and Anya and I increase our brows. My mom lifts a shoulder. “I can name my oldest son an fool if I believe he’s being one.”

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