Benjamin nodded. “Likewise.”
Lily and Nick found an empty table.
“I can’t tell if your dad likes me or not,” Nick admitted, brows creased in worry.
“Oh, he likes you. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have told you to enjoy yourself. You should see the way he used to ice out Violet’s boyfriends. Well, everyone except her on-and-off-again high school sweetheart, Xavier. He and Violet got into so much trouble together, but Xavier was so charming, he always found a way back into my parents’ good graces.”
Nick grinned. “What about Iris? Did he like her boyfriends?”
“Iris didn’t really date in high school. She was too focused on world domination. But he loved her husband, Terry. We all did.” She paused. “He died a couple years ago. Car accident.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Nick said softly.
“I think he would have liked you. Terry liked everyone. I guess he was the opposite of Iris in that way.”
She smiled, and Nick did too. Her pulse quickened as she stared at his upturned mouth, and she made herself look away, searching the backyard until she spotted Calla jumping on the trampoline with the other little cousins. Iris stood close by, glancing up from her phone every now and then to check on her daughter.
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.