AllFreeNovel
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A part of me is proud of them for developing such strong, take no shit personalities.
The other part wants to tell them to shut the fuck up for once in their lives.
But this is a celebration. They're supposed to push buttons. I need to go with it.
I try to channel an inner calm. A detachment. Daphne's interest is unimportant. My siblings' jests are irrelevant.
This is dinner before a friend's party.
I'm happy to celebrate marriage, whatever my feelings on the matter. That's the goal for tonight. Hooray marriage.
And finding a fling for Daphne.
Everything else is irrelevant.
Laurel tires of enjoying my pain and turns her attention back to Daphne. "Aren't you a sex researcher?"
Daphne's brow furrows.
Right. That's not news she's delivered. The last we heard, she's studying addiction.
How did Laurel find out?
Or maybe she misremembered. For a long time, Daphne was torn between the two topics.
"Not yet." Daphne goes with a non-answer.
I shoot Laurel astoplook.
Laurel smiles, enjoying my annoyance, but she nodsokay."Cass and D-man are going to join for the show."
"Then leave early for another session, probably," Zack says.
"Well, who can blame them after"—Laurel drops her voice to a deep tone, in an imitation of a wrestling announcer—"The Thunder From Down Under."
"What about Nathan and…" Daphne struggles to remember his fiancé's name. "Kenji."
"They're running late. Same issue probably." Laurel laughs.
"Is it just us then?" Daphne asks.
"No." Laurel checks her slim silver watch with faux disinterest. "Uncle Pete's mentee is joining."
"Why do you still call him Uncle Pete's mentee?" Zack asks. "You've known Romeo for five years."
"You call him Romeo?" Daphne's nose scrunches in confusion. She doesn't remember the guy. Or she doesn't recognize their dynamic.
Laurel and Zack both pretend they don't care about anything. Even their jobs.
Deep down, they're passionate.
But Laurel wouldn't be caught dead admitting she still has a crush on the guy she's known since she was a teenager. Even if he was obviously interested in her.
"You don't know Romeo?" Zack asks. "Really? I thought Uncle Pete liked your dad way better."
"Why would Uncle Pete like her dad better than his own brother?" Laurel asks.
"I think Jackson can explain that one. He likes Damon better than both of us," Zack says.
