“He barely even looked at it before giving me the old, don’t call me, I’ll call you bit. I’m pretty sure that’s the last we’ll see of Mr. King.”
“Hm. Too bad about that.”
Kate nodded. Brooke meant because he was hot, but Kate was lamenting the crap ton of commission he represented. Commission money her brand new brokerage could have put to good use.
CHAPTER TWO
Sunday dinners at the Parkers were notorious for being long, large, and loud. Edward and Sophie Parker, Kate’s parents, had a standing, open invitation for all their family and close friends. In the summer, people would show up early to lounge by the pool and have pre-dinner cocktails, and in the winter, they would stay late to watch Sunday Night Football. Most Sundays, Kate sat around the table with her family and soaked up the crazy. Tonight was a rare evening of just the Parkers.
“And when I squatted to clean up the pee, my skirt split right up the back,” Kate exclaimed, ending her saga of the King interview.
“Hah. That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in forever.” Kate’s sister, Lizzie, howled with laughter. “I wish I could have been there. The ever-perfect, always-put-together Katie with her tushy hanging out.”
Kate’s mother jumped to her defense, as she did with any sister getting picked on. “Lizzie, it’s not nice to laugh at your sister.” Kate stuck her tongue out at Lizzie and gave her a knowing smirk.
“Oh, come on, Mom,” Lucy, Lizzie’s twin, said between giggles of her own. “You don’t think that’s funny?”
“Well, of course, it’s funny,” their mother admitted. “But we’re not going to make fun of her right to her face. Save it for later.” She smiled mischievously and winked at Lizzie.
“Mom!” Kate said, sending her sisters into renewed fits of laughter.
“Um, by the way, where is Luna now?” her mother asked. “She won’t pee on my carpet, will she?”
Kate rolled her eyes. She should have known better than to expect sympathy here. They were a close-knit family and loved each other very much, but they weren’t above teasing and tormenting each other.
“Yeah, anyway,” Kate said, finishing up her story. “I can kiss that deal goodbye.” She downed her last gulp of wine and out of the corner of her eye saw Luna peeing on a potted plant. Damn that dog. She’d clean it up later, when her mother wasn’t around.
“Sorry, Kate,” said her sister, Emma. “I know you worked hard getting ready for that interview.”
Emma was the sweet one. Kate turned to her. “Thank you,Emma. For your support during my time of emotional distress.” The rest of them laughed, and she flipped them the bird.
Edward Parker sat at the head of the table. Having lived with six women all these years, he knew it was hard to get a word in, but he still tried every now and again. Kate thought it was cute, yet futile.
“There’s not enough testosterone around here. Don’t you girls have any boyfriends you can bring to dinner?”
Forks dropped, and after a pregnant pause, Lizzie said, “So,The Grapes of Wrath? How about that Tom Joad, huh?” It was something she and her sisters did when they wanted to change the subject—bring up a classic novel and say something random about it.
“Oh, pft. Stop with that nonsense,” their father huffed. “Katie, what about the young man you were seeing? What happened to him?”
“He was only dating me to get his company a job at city hall. When he found out I wouldn’t put in a good word to you for him, he broke up with me. I’m done dating. There are no trustworthy men out there.”
“Now, now,” her mother said. “You’d better be careful saying things like that. Mr. Right will come along, and you’ll be too jaded to see it and miss out.”
“Didn’t you start some sort of husband hunt?” Lucy asked. “How’s that going?”
“Not well,” Kate said. “I’ve decided to put that on hold for a bit. Have a man-free summer and regroup.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Lizzie asked. “Time’s a tickin’, and I think I can hear your ovaries drying up from here.”
“Lizzie,” their mother said. “Not funny.”
“Didn’t you already have all five of us by the time you were Kate’s age?” Lucy asked.
“Yes, but that’s different. Katie just turned thirty. She has plenty of time.”
“You know I’m teasing,” Lizzie said, putting her arm around Kate’s shoulders. “You’re young, beautiful, and successful. You can’t just settle on any rando with some sperm. You’ll find him, Katie.”
“How will you find him if you swear off men though?” said the ever-pragmatic Emma.