I examined the heart-shaped pendant that hung from a silver chain. “Not too shabby, Ty.”
“He did good.” She grinned.
“It’s really pretty. You two must have just celebrated a one-year anniversary, too, yeah? I remember meeting you for the first time last year around this time, and you guys had just started dating.”
“Yup. Still going strong.”
Tyler overheard and lifted his index finger. “Which means…I haven’t fucked up yet.”
Damien smacked his brother on the shoulder. “Seriously, Nicole, it takes a special woman to deal with my narcissistic brother. Bravo to you.”
“Touché.” Tyler laughed. He then turned to me. “So, who’s coming from your side tonight?”
“My sister, Claire, her husband, Micah, and their baby daughter, Clementine. Also, my parents.”
“Don’t you have another sister?” Monica asked.
“Yeah.” I pouted. “Jade couldn’t make it home from New York. Her show is always busiest this time of year.”
“That sucks.”
“Yes, it does. I miss her. She hasn’t even met the baby yet. It’s killing her, but they literally threatened her job when she asked for time off to come home when he was born.” Feeling down, I said, “Soon though. She’ll fly out here as soon as she has the chance.”
Tyler wrapped his arm around Nicole. “Why don’t I get some drinks started?”
“Actually, little brother, I was gonna send you to the liquor store to pick up some beer. I went out earlier and forgot it—the most important thing.”
“I can do that.” He kissed his girlfriend on the nose. “Nic, you want to stay or come with me?”
“I’ll stay.”
A few minutes after Tyler left, the doorbell rang. I assumed it was my family, since they were all driving here in one minivan.
My heart pummeled against my chest upon the sight of my sister. She was standing there holding a bunch of bags.
“Jade! Oh, my God!”
We leapt into each other’s arms. When she pulled away, she got teary-eyed at the sight of the baby. Without prompting, Damien took him out of the carrier and handed him to his auntie.
Jade admired our son in her arms. “I’ve been dying to hold him.”
I gave her a minute to enjoy him before I asked, “How did you manage to get away?”
“I literally cried, begged and pleaded for just one night off. I have to fly right back tomorrow night. I just couldn’t go any longer without seeing him.” She looked back down at the baby and said, “He looks like us. But he has Damien’s nose.”
“That’s exactly what I said!”
Damien looked happy to see me so happy. “Jade, this is an amazing surprise. You have no idea how stoked you’ve just made your sister.”
She grinned over at me. “I’m so glad I could make it happen.”
Everyone else arrived soon after, and they were just as shocked as I was to see Jade standing there holding the baby. She didn’t let go until he pooped, at which point Damien came to the rescue so that I could have a little one-on-one time with my sister.
Jade and I were getting food ready in the kitchen when Tyler returned from the store with the beer.
“Tyler, come meet my sister! This is Jade.”
Jade, who’d been facing me, turned around to greet him.
He opened his mouth and stopped as if he’d seen a ghost. I couldn’t blame him for being speechless at the first sight of her. Many people had that reaction. Jade was tall and gorgeous, a commanding presence who lit up any room she was in. With her blonde pixie cut, big eyes and tiny nose, she looked almost like a real-life version of Tinkerbell.
He stumbled over his words. “Hi. I…uh, I’m…”
Jade answered for him. “Tyler.” She smiled. “You’re Tyler.”
“That’s my name. Yup. And you’re…” Tyler lost his words again.
“Jade.”
He laughed nervously. “Right. She said that. Jade. Nice to meet you.” He held out his hand, and she took it.
“I know. Finally, right? Really nice to meet you, Tyler.”
Nicole walked into the kitchen at that moment, and Tyler, whose hand had been lingering on Jade’s, instinctively let go.
“There you are, Ty. I didn’t see you come in. I was beginning to think you got lost out there.”
Flashing a disingenuous smile, he said, “Hey. Yeah, too many beer choices these days.” He looked over at my sister again. “Jade, this is…”
When he again blanked out, his girlfriend answered on his behalf. “Nicole.”
Jade smiled at him. “Yes. She and I met when you were out.”
“Great. Okay, then.” He gestured back with his thumb. “I’m just gonna…put this beer in the fridge.”
Tyler bent down at the base of the refrigerator and was fumbling with the bottles when one slipped out of his hand and shattered onto the ground. “Fuck,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’m sorry, Chelsea. I’ll get it cleared out.
I’d never seen Tyler act like that. He was normally cool as a cucumber. Was it a reaction to my sister, or something else?