it. It’s all he’s talked about for months. Chase the Golden Boy saving the family business.”
“I don’t want to brag—”
“Yes, you do,” she said with a laugh.
“I took a company that was about to go tits up and put us back in black, the way black. I want to make sure he can enjoy his retirement and all the perks of the wealth he once had.”
“And lost.”
“And now he has again,” I replied.
“Thanks to you.”
“I didn’t do it on my own.”
“You did.”
I smiled and closed my eyes, soaking up the warm sun on a fall day. “I did. Now, are you going to tell me what you’re really doing out here?”
“I’m avoiding Mom.”
“Why now? Did you guys get in another fight?”
“No, but we will.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s going to ask me if I’m going to settle down and have kids soon. I don’t know why I’m the one being held responsible for carrying on the family line. I feel like a prized horse they want to breed.”
I laughed at the image. “They know you are the only one that has a chance of that whole husband and kids thing. They gave up on me years ago. I’m just here to make the money.”
“Kids!” our mother called from the kitchen.
Cori and I looked at each other and laughed. “We’re twenty-eight. When are we allowed to sit at the grown-up table?”
“Come set the table,” she hollered.
“Get some clothes on,” I told her and got up to go inside.
My mom already had the nice china set out, ready for us to distribute in the formal dining room. My parents had means but my mom insisted on cooking the family meals. It was something she had always done. Even when we were pretending to be rich to our affluent friends, she was in the kitchen cooking from scratch because we couldn’t afford the expensive takeout meals most of our friends were eating.
“I think we’re missing a setting,” I said to Cori when she came in wearing a pretty sundress over her bikini.
“Nope, just the four of us.”
“Isn’t, uh, Brian or Brad or whatever his name is coming? You told me I was going to meet him.”
She let out a long, sad sigh. “David. His name was David. He’s not coming. Ever.”
Now I understood what her mood was about. “What happened?”
She put down a plate on one of the festive placemats. “He couldn’t seem to understand I wanted his attention. It was our anniversary. I made dinner, I dressed up, and I waited. And waited and then waited some more. When he finally showed up at eleven o’clock, he didn’t apologize. He didn’t bring me flowers or anything. I told him I was upset, and he told me to get used to it. He was a big shot and there would be a lot of late nights and forgotten dates and anniversaries. I can’t be second fiddle.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“I did. He didn’t care.”
I could see she was genuinely upset. I offered her a hug. “As your big brother, I feel it is my responsibility to kick his ass. Should I do that?”
She smiled up at me. She was only about six inches shorter than my six-two stature. “I’m okay. I already got a little revenge.”
I groaned and moved to finish setting the table. Cori’s love life was a moving train wreck. She was in and out of relationships more than anyone I knew. She was a beautiful woman, but I wasn’t sure she knew what she was looking for. It always ended with her crushed by yet another breakup.
“Get your father,” our mom said, carrying in one of the many dishes that would be put on the table.
I walked out of the dining room and down the hall to the family room where he was sitting on the couch watching the game. “Dinner is ready.”
“I’ll be right there,” he said without looking at me.
Fifteen minutes later, we were all seated at the table that was far too big for the four of us, but my mom was holding out hope it would be filled with family and grandchildren one day. That was why they were pressuring Cori. I was way too busy enjoying the single life to even think about settling down.
“How’s the grand opening coming along?” my father asked.
“It’s on schedule. Construction is complete. We’re just working on the details. Linens, flowers, and stuff like that.”
“Will you make the December fifteenth date?” my mother asked.