Always the Last to Know(66)

For one, Alexander was running late. “Babe. I’m so sorry, but this traffic is horrible.”

“Well, what time did you leave?” I asked.

“At four.”

“That’s way too late! I told you to get out of the city by two thirty!” I groaned. “Honey. We haven’t seen each other in weeks. I wanted to get you in bed before this party. Now you’ll have to come straight to my mother’s.”

“I know. I’m so sorry. I had all this paperwork to file, and time just got away from me. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’ve missed you so much.”

I sighed. “It’s okay. Just . . . drive carefully. I love you.”

“Love you, too.” He clicked off.

I got ready, which meant showering downstairs (I’d installed a makeshift showerhead) and being licked by Pepper as I got out (she loved the taste of my soap). I got dressed in a skirt and shirt, then ditched it for a flowered dress and little sweater. Couldn’t find my blue pumps so I wore the cowboy boots that made Pepper bark, and so I left the house with a dog who simultaneously loved me and feared my footwear. Getting her into the car took some effort, torn as she was. Right as I pulled up to Mom’s, I realized I’d offered to bring wine, so I had to run to the package store and buy some that would pass the snob test. Jules and Oliver had a wine cellar and a wine fridge.

Finally, I got to the house. Pepper liked my dad, and he seemed to be interested in her. She bolted for the dining room the minute we got in. From the sound of it, people were already here.

“There you are,” Mom said. “I said six o’clock. It’s almost seven. Your friend Carter made it on time from New York. You had two miles, Sadie.”

“I know, and Alexander will be late, too, I’m afraid. Here.” I handed her the wine. “Hi, Mom. You look pretty.”

She sighed and took the two wine bottles into the kitchen. I checked on my dad before going into the family room, where everyone else seemed to be. Sure enough, Pepper was already curled up on his bed.

“You’re Pepper’s favorite, Daddy,” I said.

He didn’t look at me. He was just looking ahead, but his hand was on Pepper’s bony little head.

“You like her, Dad? Do you like the dog?”

He looked at me then, and my heart leaped. “You do, right? You like Pepper?”

She licked his hand, and he smiled.

Oh, my God, he smiled! “Good job, Daddy,” I whispered around the immediate lump in my throat.

“Hey. I didn’t know you were here.” It was Jules. “Where’s your boy toy? Also, did you know your friend Carter is gay?”

“Why, yes, I did, since I’ve known him for years and years. Jules, Dad just smiled at me! Because of Pepper!”

“Right. You got a dog.”

“Juliet. Our father just smiled.”

“Good. Great job, Dad.” She took a sip of her wine. “You coming to join the rest of us? Also, you should’ve told Mom your friend is gay. She’s trying to fix him up with one of her guests. A woman.”

“Oh, shit.”

“Also, Sadie, remember what the doctor said. Smiling could just be a reflex, you know?”

“No, Jules, it wasn’t. I asked him if he liked Pepper, and she licked his hand, and he smiled. That’s significant.”

“Sure.”

“What is with you? Did he beat you or lock you in the cellar before I was born? Why aren’t you more excited?”

“He’s asleep now. You gonna join us or what?”

I closed my eyes briefly, then looked at my father. He was asleep, Pepper’s head on his leg. I covered them both with a soft throw and followed my sister into the back. “You look good, by the way,” I told her.

“Are you making fun of me?” She jerked to a stop in the hallway and turned to glare at me.

“No! Why? Should I have said you look like shit? You just look . . . pretty. I’m sorry. Was that a wrong thing to say? No. It’s not. I revoke my apology.”

“Can you do me one favor? Be nice to Mom.”

“I . . . okay. Check.”

Carter saw me first and gave me a big bear hug. “I’ve missed you so desperately! How are you, precious?” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Why does your mother think I’m straight? Will she stone me if I tell her I like boys?”

“She’s very accepting, if obtuse. I’m so sorry. I missed you, too!” I kissed him on the cheek. “We’re still on for tomorrow morning, right?”

“What’s tomorrow morning?”

“I show you my house, you wave your magical Queer Eye wand and boom! It’s beautiful, and we go out for brunch with Alexander.”

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. I’m going to the casino tomorrow with Josh. He loves the craps table.”

“You brought Josh?”

“He’s coming tomorrow.” Carter paused for effect. “It’s official. He’s my boyfriend, and we’re getting matching tattoos. Now come. Mingle, and break the news to your mother that I won’t be dating that nice girl in the corner.”

The family room was two steps down, and there were more people here than I’d expected. Oliver (smiling, ever smiling, which shouldn’t irritate me as much as it did), Caro and her boo, Ted or Theo or Tim, I could never remember, and . . .