The Neighbor Favor(54)
Lily focused her attention on Nick again. “How’s your social battery doing? Did my aunts deplete you?”
Nick laughed. “Nah, not yet. Is your aunt Doreen a masseuse? She massaged the hell out of my arm.”
“No, she’s a loan officer. She’s just thirsty.”
Nick snorted. His gaze fanned out over the bustling backyard. Lily thought back to what he’d told her about his parents and their dramatic relationship. He’d never mentioned anything else about his family. Were the Browns anything like the Greenes? Did he see them often? She wanted to know more, if he was willing to tell her.
But her plans to have a deep conversation with Nick were thwarted when her cousin Antoine strolled up to their table, holding a solo cup that was 100 percent filled with Hennessy and Coke. Antoine was twenty-nine, like Iris, and as children at family gatherings, the two of them used to argue over who was in charge. Now Antoine had his own tax firm based in Philly and argued with Iris over who’d gone to the better business school.
“This your man, Lily?” Antoine asked.
Lily sighed. “No, he’s my friend. Nick, this is my cousin Antoine.”
Antoine tilted his head and assessed Nick. “Can you ball?”
“I’m decent,” Nick said.
“We need another person for three-on-three. Come on.”
“Oh, okay. Um, sure.” Nick stood, and Antoine began to walk away, not even checking to see if Nick was following.
Nick looked at Lily and shrugged. She shrugged too, smiling. If Nick was able to survive her aunts, he’d definitely survive her cousins. He jogged to keep up with Antoine and glanced back at Lily once more before they disappeared around the side of the house.
“Let me get you a napkin for that drool,” Violet said, suddenly appearing over Lily’s shoulder. Iris was standing beside her.
“Be quiet,” Lily said.
“What? I don’t blame you. He looks the fuck good, like Aunt Doreen said. You’re bringing him to my wedding, aren’t you? That’s why I invited him today.”
“He’s not coming with me to the wedding.”
“Okay, but why aren’t you bringing him?” Iris asked. “He’s cute, and he brought cupcakes to the barbecue. Mom practically wants you to marry him. What’s up with you two?”
“Nothing,” Lily said. “We’re neighbors. Friends. Why is that so hard to believe?”
“Because you kissed him.”
“What?!” Violet said.
“Iris!” Lily groaned.
“I knew it.” Violet grinned in triumph.
“What?” Iris shrugged her shoulders, confused. “Sorry! I didn’t know it was supposed to be a secret!”
“What’s a secret, Mommy?” Calla asked, appearing at Iris’s side, winded from running.
Violet leaned down and placed her hands over Calla’s ears. “Iris, you should have seen the way they were eye f-u-c-k-i-n-g each other in the hallway last week.”
Iris pulled Violet’s hands away from Calla. “One day you’re going to get my daughter in a lot of trouble at school.” She looked at Lily. “But is it true? Were you eye effing?”
“No!” Lily said.
“What’s effing?” Calla asked, glancing up at them curiously.
“Nothing!” Iris said quickly. “Let’s go get ready for the fashion show! You love the fashion show, right? Let’s see what Auntie Violet brought for us this year.”
Lily and Violet followed behind Iris and Calla into the house.
“I’m not doing the fashion show,” Lily declared as they climbed the steps to Violet’s bedroom.
Violet turned to her sharply. “Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to.”
“Because you don’t want Nick to see you dressed like a runway model from the early aughts. The tackiness of this year’s theme is what makes it fun! He should be able to love you at your tackiest.”
“He doesn’t love me period. I don’t love him! I wish that y’all would drop this.”
“Sure.” Violet smiled sweetly. “But the fashion show is tradition. Are you going to let down your favorite sister?” She looked at Lily with puppy-dog eyes.
“I’m her favorite sister,” Iris said, opening Violet’s suitcase. Calla immediately grabbed a sparkly pink tank top covered in rhinestones. Iris scrunched up her nose. “Where do you even find these clothes?”
“Thrift stores are gold mines,” Violet answered. To Lily, she said, “Don’t worry. I’ll dress you in something sexy.”
Lily very nearly rolled her eyes and walked out of the room, but she saw the gleeful look on Calla’s face as she admired the pink top. It was true that Lily didn’t want to do the fashion show because she’d rather not embarrass herself in front of Nick. But Violet was right. It was tradition. And a good friend should love you even at your tackiest. Lily hoped that she and Nick were on their way to becoming good friends.
“Fine,” she said, relenting.
Violet and Iris cheered, and Calla joined in just because. Soon, their mom and aunts and other younger cousins joined them to get dressed in Violet’s chosen pieces.
Lily hoped Nick was faring well with Antoine.