After some convincing, Malcolm and Tabby come to say hello. I walk into the room with Tabby’s arm tucked into mine, completely forgetting how jealous my fiancée is. She stands when she sees us, leaving Raven and Amira mid-conversation. Malcolm follows behind us.
“Honeybee,” I say when she reaches us. She has her lips pursed as she glares at Tabby, who continues to smile. “This is Tabby. She’s Malcolm’s little sister.” Her glare drops, and she smiles at Tabby.
“I heard about you guys from Malcolm,” Tabby says.
I notice Amira sneaking looks at Malcolm, who is looking down at his phone, completely oblivious to her.
“Raven, Amira, this is Malcolm’s little sister, Tabby.”
I’ve known Tabby since she was eight years old. She would visit the campus with her parents at least twice a year. Now, she’s a twenty-two-year-old woman.
“Would you like to join us? How about some cake?” Amira asks.
“I love cake,” Tabby says. Amira takes her hand, and they go to the dessert table, only to return a few moments later. Tabby hands her brother a small plate. “I already got Mal to buy me dessert,” Tabby says with a laugh while she sticks her fork in Malcolm’s cake.
“Hey,” he says, moving his body to block her from accessing his dessert.
“Oh, God, no,” Brynne whispers to me and Raven. She discreetly points at Ashley, who is walking this way. Her eyes are on Malcolm, who is still trying to fight off his sister.
“You guys, they’re moving the tables so we can dance,” Amira says. She makes a slightly awkward move and giggles before starting her eighties-style breakdancing. Tabby copies Amira.
“Malcolm used to take dance,” Tabby announces between moves. “He was the best at hip-hop.”
“Do you have to tell everyone that?” Malcolm asks.
“You don’t have to make a fool of yourself on every occasion, Amira,” Ashley says. Amira’s smile dips, and her dancing slows down, but Raven joins in to keep it going. “I’m Ashley,” she says to Malcolm. “How do you know Amira?”
“We met at the island last January,” Malcolm says. “We all hung out together.”
“Oh, I knew there had to be a good explanation. You wouldn’t be here because you’re interested in her.” She whispers the last part as if they’re friends sharing secrets.
Even if Malcolm was mildly interested in Ashley, she just blew her chance. Any sibling talking smack about another is a no in his book. He might be surly. He might be a pain in the ass, but he’s the most loyal pain in the ass I’ve ever known.
“Why would you say that?” Malcolm asks.
“She’s so awkward,” Ashley whispers. “She’s never had a boyfriend.”
“So?” Malcolm asks. Some of Ashley’s bravado slips. “Why do you feel the need to tell this to a stranger?”
“Where’s your husband, Ashley,” Brynne snaps. She makes a show of looking around. “I’d like to say hello.” Something in Brynne’s tone tells me she knows damn well why Ashley’s husband is not here.
“He has to work tonight,” Ashley says, but I can see her blush. She also shrinks a little after that question.
Malcolm looks away from her and joins the women. A rap song starts to play, and he says, “Let me show you losers how to do a proper robot. Follow me.” And they all copy his moves. “Happy birthday, Amira,” Malcolm yells over the music, and she smiles. “Let’s get this party going.”
Ashley slinks away. From the corner of my eye, I see her talking to her mother and pointing at Amira, who is too busy dancing to pay attention to her whiny sister. Brynne gives Ashley the side-eye again before looking away from the scene.
“You know what I’m looking forward to?” Brynne asks moments later. The music playing overhead is fast, but I hold her in my arms and move slowly.
“What is it?”
She looks into my eyes and says, “The holidays, especially Thanksgiving. I want us to cook and invite people over. And then you can help me decorate the house for Christmas the day after.”
“I love the sound of that, but my family will want us to come over for Thanksgiving.” I grimace and wait to hear what she has to say. When I announced I was moving back, I promised Lisa I wouldn’t miss another holiday with the family.
“Okay, then we have Friendsgiving the week before.”
“Compromise. I love it.” I kiss the tip of her nose.
