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“I’m gonna stick with drinking. For today, at least.” He grinned at me. “Tomorrow I’ll go back to being a responsible, hardworking adult. I promise.”

“You have worked super hard, dude. You should be proud of yourself. This bakery is going to be a total success.”

He made a noncommittal sound. Sorin didn’t like talking about the bakery too much—it just made him nervous. “How’s the event stuff going for Anita?”

“Yeah, great. She’s on top of it.” I made a face. “She’s getting a little more stressed the closer it gets, but she told me that always happens.”

Sorin glanced over at me. “Do you ever get stressed, Nuni?”

I blinked at the question. “What? Of course I do, dude. Why do you think I go to the gym, like, ten times a week?”

He chuckled as we made our way into the kitchen. Anita was laughing about something with Laki and Kiti—shit, I hoped she didn’t get too friendly with Kiti—when we passed through the living room.

“That’s kind of comforting to know, actually,” Sorin said, setting the champagne bottles down on the counter. “You just seem like you’re completely on top of everything all the time.”

I smiled, but it was a little wan. I’d gotten good at maintaining an air of control when we were young. Making sure the household was running smoothly so none of my siblings had to worry about anything beyond their latest crush or finishing their homework. Giving the impression that everything was just fine, everything was great.

Anita had asked me if I’d ever spoken to my mom about it before. I hadn’t. Neither of us had ever brought it up, and as Sorin and I went back into the living room to join the others, I found myself staring at my mom and wondering if, maybe, I should mention it one day.

I’d told Anita that I didn’t see much point in it—it wasn’t like Mom could change anything, and it hadn’t been her fault anyway. She’d had to work as much as she did to make ends meet. And she hadn’t asked me to take on the responsibilities I had. All bringing it up would do was upset her, and the thought of upsetting my mom was gut-wrenching.

Anita hadn’t pushed it, but she had gently told me that talking about it with Mom, letting her know how hard it had been, might help me process it. I didn’t think I had all that much to process, to be honest, but when I’d mentioned it to Laki, they’d agreed that it might be a good idea. And added that they thought I definitely did still have to process my anger over Dad leaving.

I shook off the thoughts and wrapped my arm around Anita as I joined her and Laki, dipping my head to kiss her cheek. I wasn’t going to bring it up today, anyway. Definitely not. We were all here to celebrate.

As if on cue, Indi raced out of the kitchen with Bax ambling cheerfully behind carrying a tray filled to the brim with full champagne flutes. “They’re here!”

Indi grabbed Laki’s arm and dragged them to stand beside Kiti, for some reason. They shot me a baffled look which I returned with a shrug. Then she pushed Tuvin closer to Sorin and tutted at Suni, who was scrolling through something on her phone.

“Suni, get off your phone! We have to all be ready to congratulate them! Una, you can’t already be crying. They’re not even in the house yet!”

“It’s hayfever!” Mom shot back, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

“Bax, be ready with the champagne,” Indi hissed, even though Uncle Bax was already standing close to the door, expertly keeping the overloaded tray aloft. “Everyone shush!”

Trained to obey Aunt Indi, we all automatically fell silent. Faintly, there came the sound of a car door slamming shut, followed by an excited bark from Jake.

Laki cleared their throat. “Uh… it’s not a surprise party, right? Why do we have to stay quiet?”

They were already high, and they sounded so genuinely confused that it made me snort, which set them off.

“No, but seriously,” they said a few seconds later after sobering up, which made me start laughing again. “They know we’re here, right? Was I supposed to hide my truck?”

“Shut up, dude,” I hissed teasingly. “They’re coming up the drive. You’re gonna spoil the surprise.”

“I think I already did. My truck’s parked out front, Ma. Why didn’t you warn me?”

“It’s not a surprise!” Indi snapped as I burst out laughing again. “Nuni, stop laughing! Laki, why did you have to smoke that horrible herb right before we—They’re here!” she hissed as the front door opened.

“Hello!” Beryl called from the hall. “We’re here! Sorry we’re a little late.”

“Are we shouting surprise or what?” Laki was whispering frantically as Kiti started snickering and shoving them. One of Daga and Elern’s babies let out an enormous wail, and the moment Beryl and Greid appeared in the living room doorway, Mom burst into tears.

“Surprise!” Laki called, and when no one else joined in, they glared at Kiti and shoved the side of her head as she cackled. “You dick, you told me everyone was saying it!”

Her face spikes flexing with annoyance, Aunt Indi lunged forward and pressed a kiss to each of Beryl’s cheeks. “Congratulations, you two!”

We were here to celebrate their recent engagement. In a weird coincidence, they’d both tried to propose on the same night in the end, but neither of them cared and they found it funny. My brother was unspeakably happy, which made me a little emotional every time I thought about it. I’d already asked if they’d let me pay for the venue, or the caterer, or anything, but they’d refused. I was sure I’d think of something, though.