Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Oh, and I have confirmation from both of your families, including aunts and uncles, that they can attend the shower as well.” Essie flips to the guest list tab.
I’m suddenly on alert. Maybe the phone calls that seemed to come from nowhere aren’t so out of left field. But Tristan would have said something before now. “What do you mean both of our families?”
Tristan holds up a hand. “Mom is excluded, don’t worry.” It’s probably the hundredth time he’s had to reassure me. “I don’t want that drama. Especially with Dad finally dating.”
It’s only been a few months since my dad started seeing someone. Her name is Sophia, and she’s a lot younger than he is. I’ve met her once, briefly. She seems nice enough, even if she is closer to Tristan’s age than my dad’s. They met at the Toronto Terror fundraiser gala in the spring.
“Right. Okay.” Heat works its way up my neck and wraps around my ears. “Sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about.” Rix’s tone softens with empathy.
I’d love to be over my mother abandoning our family, but unfortunately I’m not. One day she was there, and the next she was gone. For a couple of years she called on birthdays, but eventually she just…ghosted us. Then last year when our younger brother Brody graduated high school, suddenly she wanted to be involved again. Dad and Tristan shut that down. Thank fucking God. I couldn’t handle her coming back into our lives on top of the breakup with Lisa.
I tune back in to the conversation, which Essie is once again dominating. I wish I didn’t find it attractive that she’s so adept at creating spreadsheets and organizing events. But I do love order and organization.
“As requested, it’s a no-gifts shower, but attendees are welcome to donate to the Food for Kids program or Supplies for Success. I’m happy to report that more than fifty filled backpacks have been donated, and you’ve already raised over four thousand dollars for Food for Kids.” Essie turns her tablet to Rix and Tristan, where the total is highlighted at the bottom.
“That’s incredible. Thank you so much for setting that up!” Rix smiles at Tristan. “Isn’t that great?”
“It’s fantastic.” He kisses her temple. Again.
Essie waves the comment away. “It was just a couple of phone calls and emails with links. It was no big deal.”
I frown at her easy dismissal, and the fact that I’ve had no part in any of this. I scroll down the list and discover there are actual formulas in the spreadsheet.
“Don’t downplay it, Ess. You really went above and beyond,” Flip adds.
I refrain from commenting. I’ve been over here planning the bachelor party and slacking on everything else, it seems. And here’s Little Miss Sunshine and Rainbows making pretty spreadsheets. I can make a fucking spreadsheet. With formulas. I do it all the time. She’s not the only organizational wizard at the table.
The server arrives with appetizers. He must ask Essie three times if he can get her anything else, to which she always replies with a no thank you and a smile.
We hit pause on the planning and pass the plates around.
Essie taps her lip, surveying her plate and the ones scattered around the table.
“What are you missing? I can give you whatever you need, Ess,” Flip offers.
“I’m good.” She bites back a smile. “Nate, can you pass the cauliflower?”
“Oh come on, Ess.” Flip waves a hand in my direction. “This guy doesn’t even believe in love! Why would you look to him to fulfill your needs when I’m right here?”
“Keep me out of your flirting. I’m not looking to be part of your throuple,” I grumble and stab some potato-poof thing.
“Am I not good to you, honey bear?” Flip winks at me.
I scratch my temple with my middle finger.
“Okay. Back to business.” Essie looks expectantly at me.
“What?”
“Please pass the cauliflower.”
“Right.” I hand them to her.
Her fingers graze mine, and the hairs on my arm rise. She takes three pieces and passes them to Flip, who takes one while eyeing it with skepticism. The guy would live on KD—Kraft Dinner—if Rix didn’t drop off meals for him twice a week. On top of being an accountant, she’s also a full-time student and develops meal plans for my brother, her brother, and some of their Terror teammates.
Essie continues to lead this dinner meeting by reviewing all the food, games, and decorations for the bridal shower.
“Do you have a rough estimate for the cost per person?” Rix asks.
“Whatever it is, I’ll cut a check,” Tristan assures her.
“I can figure it out for you right now.” Essie glances at the totals while setting up a new formula. “Roughly eighty-seven dollars a person based on food and drink,” she says before she’s even had a chance to complete the formula. She highlights the row, the total appearing.